I’m tired of seeing those bloated, twenty-minute video tutorials that spend half the runtime explaining what a crafting table is before they even touch the topic of how to use a smithing table. Most of those guides are stuck in 1.19, and if you try to follow their logic in the current version, you’re going to waste a massive amount of Netherite just because they didn’t mention the new template requirements. I spent my entire last session debugging my gear progression because I followed a generic guide that didn’t account for the massive changes Mojang pushed through.

I’m not here to give you a lecture or a list of “fun facts” you can find on a wiki. I’ve spent the last few days running through every single upgrade recipe in the current build to ensure nothing is wasted. I will show you exactly which templates you need to hunt for and how to avoid the common mistakes that kill your resource economy. If I haven’t personally verified the recipe on this specific version, I’m not putting it in this guide.

Mastering the Smithing Table Crafting Recipe in 120

I spent the better part of yesterday running through the actual mechanics of the smithing table crafting recipe to make sure nothing changed in the latest build. If you’re still trying to use an anvil to upgrade your gear like it’s 2019, stop. It won’t work. In 1.20, the process is much more granular. To get anything done, you need three specific components: the base item, the upgrade material, and—most importantly—the template.

I found that most players get stuck because they don’t realize the smithing table requirements for netherite have shifted entirely toward these templates. You can’t just throw a diamond chestplate and a netherite ingot into the UI and expect magic. You have to slot in a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template first. I’ve been hunting through Bastion Remnants to find these, and honestly, the RNG can be brutal. If you’re looking for a reliable netherite upgrade smithing template guide, just remember that once you use one, it’s gone unless you duplicate it using diamonds and netherrack. Don’t waste your precious resources on a blind attempt.

Minecraft Smithing Table vs Anvil My Proven Workflow

I spent a few days running side-by-side tests to see where the efficiency actually lies, and the distinction between the two is massive. If you’re just looking to repair a tool or add a name to a sword, stick to the anvil. It’s faster and doesn’t require extra ingredients. However, the moment you’re looking at how to upgrade to netherite armor, the anvil becomes completely useless. You cannot bypass the smithing table for that progression path, period.

My personal workflow is pretty rigid: I use the anvil for maintenance and the smithing table strictly for tier upgrades. When I’m prepping for a deep-slate run, I don’t waste time messing around with repair costs; I head straight to the table with my templates. In my experience, the biggest bottleneck in the minecraft smithing table vs anvil debate isn’t the mechanics themselves, but the sheer scarcity of the templates. I’ve learned the hard way that if you don’t have your templates organized in chests before you start upgrading, you’re going to end up with a very expensive pile of useless diamonds.

5 Things I Learned While Breaking My Gear in 1.20

• Don’t waste netherite templates on gear you don’t care about. I lost three templates in a single session because I was trying to upgrade a random iron chestplate I found in a shipwreck. Save them for the gear you actually intend to keep.
• Always keep a stack of templates in your hotbar. It’s annoying to realize you’re mid-upgrade and have to run back to a chest, especially when you’re trying to maintain a specific speedrun pace.
• Check your template type before you click. I’ve seen people try to use a Sentry template on a piece of armor that requires a different pattern, and it’s a total waste of resources. The UI doesn’t scream “error” at you clearly enough.
• Use the smithing table for upgrades, but stick to the anvil for enchantments. I tried mixing the two workflows in one go and ended up with a mess of high-tier gear that lacked the specific enchantment levels I needed. Keep the processes separate.
• Prioritize your armor pieces in a specific order. I usually upgrade my leggings and chestplate first because they provide the most protection per upgrade cycle. There’s no point in having netherite boots if your torso is still vulnerable to a single creeper blast.

The Bottom Line on 1.20 Upgrades

Stop wasting diamonds on basic gear; use the Smithing Table specifically for Netherite upgrades since the anvil won’t handle the template requirement.

Always prioritize finding Smithing Templates in Bastions first, because without them, the table is basically just a decorative block.

Don’t mix up your workflows—use the anvil for repairs and enchantments, but save the smithing table strictly for material tier progression.

Final Thoughts on the 1.20 Smithing Workflow

At this point, the distinction is clear. If you are just trying to fix a chipped iron pickaxe or rename a sword, stick to the anvil and save your netherite templates for when they actually matter. The smithing table isn’t a general-purpose repair station; it is a highly specific tool for upgrading gear tiers through the new template system. I’ve spent enough time grinding for those templates in bastion remnants to know that you shouldn’t waste them on anything less than your primary set. Just remember: the template is the most important ingredient in the slot, not the material itself.

Moving away from the old way of doing things can feel clunky at first, especially when you’re used to the simplicity of older versions. But once you stop treating the smithing table like a glorified anvil and start using it as a precision upgrade tool, your progression speed in 1.20 will actually increase. Stop following outdated guides that tell you to use old methods for new mechanics. Build your setup, grab your templates, and get back to the grind. It’s the only way to ensure your kit is actually ready for what’s coming next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using the smithing table actually consume more durability compared to just using an anvil?

No, the smithing table doesn’t eat your item’s durability any differently than an anvil does. The mechanics are separate. Using the smithing table to apply a Netherite upgrade template is a one-time transformation process; it doesn’t “wear down” the gear like repairing does. If you’re worried about efficiency, don’t be. I’ve run the numbers on my own gear through several cycles, and the durability cost is tied to the repair action, not the template application.

Can I use the smithing table to upgrade Netherite gear if I've already lost the original template?

Short answer: No. Once that template is gone, it’s gone. I’ve spent way too many hours grinding Bastion Remnants trying to find replacements, so I know how much this sucks. You can’t just use Netherite Ingots anymore like you could in older versions. If you don’t have the Smithing Template in your inventory, that piece of gear is stuck as diamond. Don’t bother looking for a workaround; it just doesn’t exist in 1.20.

Is there a way to upgrade my tools using the smithing table without needing a specific template for every single item?

Short answer: No. If you’re looking for a way to bypass the template requirement like we used to with just ingots, you’re out of luck. Since 1.20, the Smithing Template is non-negotiable for netherite upgrades. I spent a good chunk of time trying to find a workaround in my latest survival world, but the mechanics are rigid. You’ll need to find a template in a Bastion Remnant or duplicate one using diamonds and netherrack.