Why netherite is not as necessary as diamonds to survive in Minecraft?

Minecraft has a few precious items that players can grind for, for several hours. Two of the most craved items in the game are diamonds and netherite. They are some of the strongest and most durable materials players can find or create. Both can be used to create tools, weapons, and armor that can sustain for a long time and keep players safe.

However, a debate can be put forward that netherite is not as necessary as diamonds in Minecraft, especially in terms of survival in most dire situations.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflect's writer's opinion. This article by no means is saying that netherite is not useful.

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Reasons why diamonds are more necessary than netherite in Minecraft

The difference in durability and power between iron, diamond, and netherite

The difference in power between iron, diamond, and netherite is not linear (Image via Mojang Studios)

After entering a new world, players climb the ladder in terms of better tools, weapons, and armor. They start with wooden tools and quickly graduate to stone and then iron gear. Iron gear is the first major milestone, after which players start searching for diamonds, the next major achievement in Minecraft.

Players first experience a massive boost when they go from iron to diamond gear, as diamonds are much more durable and powerful than iron in the game.

For example, an iron pickaxe can be used 250 times, but a diamond pickaxe can be used 1561 times.

The boost, however, is not as significant when players jump from diamonds to netherite. Furthermore, the amount of work that it takes to graduate from diamonds to netherite does not convert into an increase in power or durability.

While a diamond pickaxe can be used 1561 times, a netherite pickaxe can be used 2031 times, which isn't a huge upgrade.

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Difference in defeating powerful mobs

Most mobs can be defeated with diamond gear only (Image via Mojang Studios)

As explained above, the jump in power and durability from iron to diamonds is much more than from diamonds to netherite. When players enter more dangerous dimensions like Nether and End, they will face much stronger mobs.

In most situations, fighting power mobs without diamonds is extremely hard, since iron won't be able to hold them off. However, fighting all kinds of mobs and completing the game without netherite is still doable.

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Minecraft's experience before netherite was added

Diamonds were the strongest material before netherite was released (Image via Mojang Studios)

Netherite is not an old item in Minecraft. It was added to the game in 2020, with the 1.16 Nether update. In contrast, diamonds have been in the game ever since it was in development in 2010.

This means that, for nearly a decade, players have explored the entire world, defeated every mob, and completed the game multiple times with nothing more powerful than diamond gear.

Hence, it is safe to say that diamonds are much more necessary to fight more powerful mobs and final boss mobs than netherite.

However, this does not mean that netherite is completely useless and should not be sought by players.

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What extra features does netherite offer?

Netherite gear does have some useful features over diamonds (Image via Mojang Studios)

While diamonds are enough to complete the game and defeat every mob in Minecraft, netherite does have its advantages.

For instance, netherite is slightly stronger and more durable, making it an endgame material to use. Netherite gear can make Minecraft extremely easy, especially for those who have beaten the game with only diamond gear.

Furthermore, since netherite is found in the form of ancient debris in the Nether, it is forged with fire and lava. Hence, any netherite gear will not burn away if it is thrown in lava or fire. Hence, players will never lose their netherite gear if they accidentally burn and die.

Lastly, netherite armor also offers some about of knockback resistance, which may prevent players from getting launched by any powerful attack.