What is Elytra in Minecraft?
The Elytra is one of Minecraft’s most sought-after items, especially for players who want to explore their worlds with speed and style. This wearable item acts as a set of wings, allowing you to glide through the air and even fly when paired with fireworks. It’s a game-changer for long-distance travel or simply having fun in your Minecraft world.
However, you can’t craft or “make” an Elytra in Minecraft, despite what some players might think. Instead, it’s a rare item that can only be found in the End dimension, inside a specific structure known as the End Ship.
Ready to soar through the skies? Let’s break down how to get Elytra step by step.

How to Get Elytra in Minecraft
1. Prepare for the Journey
Before hunting for an Elytra, you’ll need to gear up. The End dimension is filled with dangers, so preparation is key. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Diamond or Netherite armor: Protection is essential.
- Weapons: Bring a bow (with plenty of arrows) or a crossbow to fight the Ender Dragon. A sword with sharpness enchantments is also helpful.
- Food: Stack up on high-saturation foods like cooked steak or golden carrots.
- Blocks: Bring plenty of building blocks for bridging across gaps in the End.
- Ender Pearls: Useful for teleporting to distant islands or saving yourself from falling into the void.
- Eyes of Ender: These are required to activate the End Portal. You’ll need around 12, though some portals may already have a few in place.

2. Locate and Activate the End Portal
You’ll need to find a Stronghold, the structure that houses the End Portal. Here’s how:
- Use Eyes of Ender: Toss one into the air, and it will float in the direction of the nearest Stronghold. Follow it until you reach the location.
- Dig down carefully: Strongholds are usually underground. Once you find it, explore until you locate the End Portal room.
- Activate the portal: Insert Eyes of Ender into the empty portal frame slots. Once all slots are filled, the portal will activate.

3. Defeat the Ender Dragon
Entering the End dimension for the first time means facing the Ender Dragon. This boss fight is a critical step toward finding an Elytra.
Tips for Defeating the Ender Dragon:
- Destroy the End Crystals on top of the obsidian pillars. These crystals heal the dragon. Use a bow or build up to them to take them out.
- Keep an eye on the dragon’s breath attack—it can deal significant damage.
- Once the crystals are gone, attack the dragon when it lands or flies close by. Use your sword or bow to whittle down its health.

4. Find the End Gateway
After defeating the Ender Dragon, a small portal will appear, surrounded by bedrock and a shimmering Ender Pearl symbol in the center. This is the End Gateway, which takes you to the outer islands of the End.
How to Use the End Gateway:
- Use an Ender Pearl: Aim and throw the pearl into the portal to teleport to the outer End islands.
- Bring blocks: The outer islands are scattered and may require some bridging to explore.

5. Search for an End City and End Ship
The Elytra is located in an End Ship, which is often found near End Cities—tall, purple structures made of purpur blocks.
Tips for Finding End Cities:
- Keep exploring: The outer End islands are vast. You may need to travel long distances to find an End City.
- Look for floating ships: Not all End Cities have End Ships, so keep searching if you don’t find one immediately.

6. Retrieve the Elytra from the End Ship
Once you’ve located an End Ship, follow these steps to claim your Elytra:
- Enter the ship: Be cautious of Shulkers, the mobs that protect End Cities and ships. These creatures fire projectiles that cause levitation.
- Find the treasure room: The Elytra is usually displayed in an item frame inside the ship.
- Grab the Elytra: Break the item frame to collect your wings!

How to Use Elytra in Minecraft
Now that you have the Elytra, it’s time to put it to use!
1. Equip the Elytra
- Open your inventory and place the Elytra in the chestplate slot. It will replace any armor you’re wearing in that slot.
2. Glide with the Elytra
- Find a high point, such as a mountain or a tall structure.
- Jump off and press the jump button again to activate gliding mode.
- Use your mouse or joystick to steer as you glide through the air.
3. Fly with Fireworks
To truly take to the skies, use firework rockets while gliding. This will give you a boost and allow you to fly higher and faster.
- Equip the fireworks in your hotbar.
- While gliding, right-click (or press the use button) to launch a firework and propel yourself forward.
Pro Tip: Use fireworks without explosion effects to avoid damaging yourself while flying.

How to Repair Elytra
Elytra has a durability of 432, meaning it will eventually wear out with use. To repair your Elytra:
- Use Phantom Membranes: Combine the Elytra with phantom membranes on an anvil to restore its durability.
- Apply the Mending enchantment: With Mending, your Elytra will repair itself using experience points (XP) you collect while playing.

Elytra Enchantments
Enhance your Elytra with these enchantments:
- Unbreaking: Reduces the rate at which durability is consumed.
- Mending: Automatically repairs the Elytra using XP.
- Curse of Binding: Prevents the Elytra from being removed until the player dies (use cautiously!).
- Curse of Vanishing: Makes the Elytra disappear if you die.

Fun Facts About Elytra
- The name "Elytra" comes from the hardened forewings of beetles in the real world.
- If you have a cape equipped (e.g., from Minecon events), your Elytra will inherit its design.
- Elytra was added in the Minecraft 1.9 Combat Update.

The Elytra isn’t just a tool—it’s an end-game reward that opens up new ways to explore and enjoy Minecraft. While finding one requires preparation, skill, and a bit of luck, the ability to glide and fly across your world is well worth the effort.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there, defeat the Ender Dragon, and claim your wings!
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