Obtaining smithing templates in Minecraft requires exploring specific generated structures across all three dimensions—the Overworld, the Nether, and the End. These rare items serve two primary functions: upgrading diamond gear into netherite and applying decorative patterns known as armor trims to your equipment. Because smithing templates are consumed upon use in a smithing table, the most critical part of obtaining them is learning how to duplicate them using diamonds and specific base blocks before you use your last one.

The Two Categories of Smithing Templates

Before setting out on a trek across your world, it is important to distinguish between the two types of templates introduced in the 1.20 Trails & Tales update and expanded in version 1.21.

Netherite Upgrade Template

The Netherite Upgrade is functional rather than cosmetic. Prior to the 1.20 update, players only needed a netherite ingot to upgrade diamond gear. Now, you must possess this specific template to complete the process. This change significantly increased the value of Bastion Remnants and made netherite gear a true late-game achievement.

Armor Trim Templates

There are currently 18 different armor trim templates available in the game. These are purely cosmetic and allow you to overlay patterns onto your armor using different materials like gold, emerald, amethyst, or redstone. While they do not provide extra protection or special abilities, they offer unparalleled character customization.

Where to Find the Netherite Upgrade Template

The Netherite Upgrade template is arguably the most sought-after item for players looking to reach the peak of survival efficiency. It is found exclusively within Bastion Remnants in the Nether.

Bastions are dangerous structures inhabited by Piglins, Piglin Brutes, and Hoglins. Finding the template depends heavily on the type of chest you loot within the structure:

  • Treasure Room Chests: These have a 100% guaranteed spawn rate for the Netherite Upgrade template. A Treasure Room is typically located at the bottom of the "Treasure Room" variant of the Bastion, often surrounded by lava and guarded by a Magma Cube spawner.
  • Generic, Bridge, and Hoglin Stable Chests: In all other parts of a Bastion, the template has a roughly 10% chance of appearing.

In our testing, clearing a full Bastion usually yields at least two templates if you manage to find the Treasure Room. However, due to the high density of Piglin Brutes, it is advised to bring fire resistance potions and plenty of blocks to wall yourself off while looting.

Locating Overworld Armor Trim Templates

The majority of cosmetic trims are scattered throughout the Overworld. Each template is tied to the lore and aesthetic of the structure where it generates.

Sentry Armor Trim

Located in Pillager Outposts, the Sentry trim is often the first one players encounter. It has a 25% chance of appearing in the chest at the very top of the outpost tower. Since outposts are common in most biomes, this is the easiest trim to mass-collect.

Coast Armor Trim

Found in Shipwrecks, the Coast trim has a 16.7% chance of appearing in any of the three types of chests (Treasure, Map, or Supply). Because shipwrecks are abundant in ocean biomes, you can often find a pair of these trims within an hour of maritime exploration.

Dune Armor Trim

Desert Pyramids house the Dune trim. You have a 14.3% chance to find it in the four chests hidden beneath the temple floor. Be extremely careful of the TNT trap at the bottom; many players have lost their templates to a stray step on the pressure plate.

Wild Armor Trim

Jungle Temples contain the Wild trim with a 33.3% spawn rate. The main challenge here is navigating the tripwire arrow traps and the hidden lever puzzle. In Java Edition, this is one of the more reliable drops due to the high percentage.

Vex Armor Trim

Hidden in Woodland Mansions, the Vex trim has a 50% chance to appear in loot chests. Despite the high percentage, mansions are incredibly rare, often located tens of thousands of blocks from spawn. If you find a mansion, the Vex trim is almost a guaranteed reward for your journey.

Tide Armor Trim

This is the only template not found in a chest. It is a 20% drop from Elder Guardians in Ocean Monuments. To get this, you must defeat the three Elder Guardians inhabiting the structure. Note that Looting enchantments do not increase the drop rate for this item.

Wayfinder, Raiser, Shaper, and Host Trims

These four trims are found in Trail Ruins, a buried structure introduced in 1.20. You do not find them in chests; instead, you must use a Brush on Suspicious Gravel. Each has an 8.3% chance of being uncovered. Archeology requires patience, as Trail Ruins are often mostly underground, requiring significant excavation.

Finding Templates in the Nether and the End

Exploring the other dimensions is necessary to complete a full collection of trims, and these are often much harder to obtain.

Snout Armor Trim

Like the Netherite Upgrade, the Snout trim is found in Bastion Remnants. It has an 8.3% chance of appearing in any bastion chest. The pattern mimics the nose of a piglin, making it a favorite for Nether-themed armor sets.

Rib Armor Trim

Found in Nether Fortresses with a 6.7% chance. Because fortresses are large and filled with Blazes and Wither Skeletons, finding this trim can be a grueling process. The chests are usually located in the corners of the inner hallways.

Eye Armor Trim

This trim is located in Strongholds. You have a 10% chance to find it in Altar chests, but it is a 100% guaranteed drop in Library chests. Since every Stronghold has at least one library, you are guaranteed to get this trim if you find the portal room.

Spire Armor Trim

Found in End Cities with a 6.7% chance. Given the difficulty of navigating the End and the danger of Shulkers, this is considered one of the elite trims. It features a clean, vertical line pattern that looks particularly striking on netherite armor.

The Ultra-Rare Deep Dark Templates

The Ancient City contains two of the most prestigious templates in the game: the Ward and the Silence armor trims.

  • Ward Armor Trim: Has a 5% chance to appear in Ancient City chests. It features a pattern reminiscent of the Warden's ribcage.
  • Silence Armor Trim: This is the rarest template in Minecraft, with only a 1.2% chance of appearing in any chest. Its intricate, full-body pattern makes it the ultimate status symbol for survival players.

In my experience, looting an Ancient City is a game of stealth. Using wool to dampen footsteps and carrying a hoe to quickly break Sculk Shriekers is essential. Expect to clear three or four entire cities before seeing a single Silence trim.

New 1.21 Templates: Trial Chambers

With the 1.21 update, Mojang introduced Trial Chambers, subterranean combat gauntlets that offer two new templates: the Bolt and Flow trims.

Bolt Armor Trim

The Bolt trim is found in standard Vaults within Trial Chambers. It has a high drop rate, making it relatively easy to obtain once you have a Trial Key from completing a trial encounter.

Flow Armor Trim

The Flow trim is found in Ominous Vaults, which require an Ominous Trial Key (obtained by completing a trial while under the Trial Omen effect). It has a 22.5% drop rate from these high-tier vaults. The pattern features swirling lines that pair exceptionally well with the new Breeze Rod materials.

How to Duplicate Smithing Templates

Because templates are consumed upon use, you should never use your last one. Instead, you can create infinite copies using a Crafting Table. The recipe is expensive, requiring seven diamonds per duplication.

The Standard Duplication Recipe

To duplicate a template, you need:

  1. 1x Smithing Template (The one you want to copy).
  2. 7x Diamonds.
  3. 1x Base Block (Specific to the template).

Place the template in the top-middle slot, the base block in the center slot, and surround them with the seven diamonds. This will result in two copies of the template.

Base Blocks for Each Template

  • Netherrack: Netherite Upgrade, Rib Trim.
  • Cobblestone: Sentry, Vex, Coast Trims.
  • Mossy Cobblestone: Wild Trim.
  • Sandstone: Dune Trim.
  • Terracotta: Wayfinder, Raiser, Shaper, Host Trims.
  • Cobbled Deepslate: Ward, Silence Trims.
  • Prismarine: Tide Trim.
  • Blackstone: Snout Trim.
  • End Stone: Eye Trim.
  • Purpur Block: Spire Trim.
  • Block of Copper: Bolt Trim.
  • Breeze Rod: Flow Trim.

Note for Bedrock Edition players: Some templates like Tide and Spire allow for alternative blocks like Prismarine Bricks or Purpur Pillars, providing more flexibility in resource management.

How to Use Templates in the Smithing Table

Once you have your templates and gear, head to a Smithing Table. The interface has three slots:

  1. Template Slot: Place your Smithing Template here.
  2. Equipment Slot: Place the armor piece, tool, or weapon you wish to upgrade or trim.
  3. Material Slot:
    • For Netherite Upgrades, place a Netherite Ingot.
    • For Armor Trims, place a material of your choice (Iron, Gold, Diamond, Netherite, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Redstone, Amethyst, Copper, or Quartz).

The output slot will show your modified item. Trimming does not change the item's durability, enchantments, or protection values—it only changes the visual appearance. If you trim an item with the same material it is made of (e.g., Gold Trim on Gold Armor), the pattern will appear in a darker, embossed shade.

Strategic Tips for Template Hunting

Finding every template is a monumental task. To make the process more efficient, consider the following strategies:

  • Priority One (Netherite): Your first goal should always be the Netherite Upgrade. Do not spend diamonds on cosmetic trims until your main gear is fully upgraded to Netherite, as the diamonds are better spent on gear durability and enchantments early on.
  • The "Safety Duplicate": Never take your original template into a dangerous area. Once you find a template, bring it home, duplicate it once, and store the original in a safe Ender Chest. Only use the copies for actual smithing.
  • Village Trading: While villagers don't sell templates, they do sell Diamond gear and Books. Use a Fletcher or Librarian to build a diamond economy so that the 7-diamond cost for duplicating rare trims like Silence doesn't bankrupt your resources.
  • Archaeology Speed: When searching for Trail Ruins, look for blocks of Terracotta or Mud Bricks sticking out of the ground in Taiga, Birch Forest, and Jungle biomes. These indicate a buried ruin.

Summary of Smithing Template Mechanics

Smithing templates have transformed Minecraft's progression from a simple resource grind into an exploration-heavy journey. Whether you are hunting for the 100% guaranteed Netherite Upgrade in a Bastion Treasure Room or gambling on the 1.2% drop rate of a Silence trim in the Deep Dark, these items represent the history of your world. Always remember the golden rule: 7 Diamonds + 1 Base Block = 2 Templates. Never use your last copy without duplicating it first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you find smithing templates by fishing or trading?

No. Smithing templates cannot be obtained through fishing, and no Villager or Wandering Trader sells them. They are strictly loot from specific structures or archaeology sites.

Does the Looting enchantment affect template drops?

Looting does not affect chest contents. For the Tide Armor Trim (dropped by Elder Guardians), Looting also does not increase the drop rate; it remains a flat 20% chance per Elder Guardian.

Can I remove an armor trim once it is applied?

No, armor trims are permanent once applied in the smithing table. However, you can overwrite an existing trim by applying a new template and material to the same piece of armor.

Do smithing templates work on leather armor?

Yes, you can apply armor trims to all tiers of armor, including Leather, Chainmail, Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Netherite. Trimming leather armor allows for incredibly colorful combinations when paired with dyes.

Why did Mojang add smithing templates?

The templates were added to slow down the progression to Netherite gear, making it feel more earned, and to give players more ways to express themselves visually in multiplayer environments.