Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to know when the game’s strongest armor tier was introduced.
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Netherite Armor Release Timeline
Netherite armor was officially added to Minecraft in the Nether Update (version 1.16), which was released on June 23, 2020 for Java Edition. The Bedrock Edition received the same update shortly after on June 23, 2020 as well.
Development History
Before its official release, netherite armor went through several development phases:
- Snapshot 20w06a (February 5, 2020) – First introduction of netherite as a material
- Snapshot 20w07a (February 14, 2020) – Netherite armor recipes and mechanics were refined
- Multiple snapshots through spring 2020 – Balance adjustments and bug fixes
What Made Netherite Special
When netherite armor arrived, it became the strongest armor tier in Minecraft, surpassing diamond armor. The armor provides superior protection values, knockback resistance, and most importantly, it doesn’t burn in lava – making it perfect for Nether exploration.
Crafting Requirements
Unlike other armor types, netherite armor isn’t crafted from scratch. Instead, you upgrade existing diamond armor pieces using netherite ingots at a smithing table. This upgrade system was revolutionary because it preserved enchantments and durability from the original diamond pieces.
The addition of netherite armor marked a significant milestone in Minecraft’s progression system, giving players an endgame armor goal that required both Overworld diamond mining and dangerous Nether exploration to obtain ancient debris.
TL;DR
Netherite armor was added to Minecraft on June 23, 2020, with the Nether Update (version 1.16). It became the strongest armor tier, surpassing diamond armor with superior protection and lava immunity.
