How to find a Bastion Remnant in Minecraft is something every player needs to know before pushing into the late game. These massive blackstone fortresses are the only source of some of the rarest items in the game — including the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template, Gilded Blackstone, and the Pigstep music disc. This guide covers where they spawn, how to locate one, what types exist, and how to raid them safely.
TL;DR
- Bastion Remnants are found only in the Nether, in all biomes except Basalt Deltas
- Enter the Nether, then explore openly — they are large and visible from a distance
- Use /locate structure minecraft:bastion_remnant in Creative or with cheats enabled
- There are four types: Bridge, Hoglin Stables, Housing Units, and Treasure Room
- Wear at least one piece of gold armor — Piglins will attack you otherwise
- Piglin Brutes attack regardless of gold armor — come fully prepared
What Is a Bastion Remnant?
A Bastion Remnant is a large, ruined castle-like structure built from blackstone, polished blackstone bricks, and basalt. It sits in the Nether and is home to Piglins, Piglin Brutes, Hoglins, and Magma Cubes. The structure looks like a dark fortress with multiple levels, corridors, bridges, and loot chests.
Bastion Remnants were added in the 1.16 Nether Update. They are the only place in vanilla Minecraft where you can find Gilded Blackstone, the Pigstep music disc, the Snout Armor Trim, and the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. If you want to upgrade your gear to Netherite, you will need to find one eventually.
Where Do Bastion Remnants Spawn?
Bastion Remnants generate in the Nether, between Y=32 and Y=120. They spawn in every Nether biome except Basalt Deltas. So you can find them in:
- Nether Wastes
- Soul Sand Valley
- Crimson Forest
- Warped Forest
If you are searching and keep finding Basalt Deltas, move in another direction. Bastions cannot generate there, so you are wasting time.
The game splits the Nether into large regions — 432×432 blocks in Java Edition and 480×480 blocks in Bedrock Edition. Each region contains either a Bastion Remnant or a Nether Fortress, never both. In Java Edition, there is a 60% chance of a Bastion generating in a region instead of a Fortress. In Bedrock Edition, that rises to 66%. This means Bastions are actually more common than Fortresses across the Nether as a whole.
How to Find a Bastion Remnant in Minecraft
Method 1: Explore the Nether on Foot
The most straightforward method is to enter the Nether through your Nether Portal and start exploring. Bastion Remnants are enormous structures. Their large dark blackstone silhouettes are visible across lava oceans and open biomes from a significant distance.
Here are some tips for searching efficiently:
- Move through open biomes like Nether Wastes or Warped Forest where visibility is better
- Avoid Basalt Deltas — Bastions do not generate there
- If you find a Nether Fortress, move at least 400–500 blocks away in another direction before continuing to search. Bastions and Fortresses cannot share a region
- Bring bridging blocks to cross lava lakes safely
- Track your coordinates so you can find your portal again
- Mark explored paths with torches or distinct blocks
Method 2: Use the /locate Command
If you are in Creative mode or have cheats enabled on your world, open the chat and type:
/locate structure minecraft:bastion_remnant
The game will return the coordinates of the nearest Bastion Remnant. Then use /tp [x] [y] [z] to teleport straight to it. This is the fastest way to find one for testing or building purposes.
Method 3: Use a Seed Tool Like Chunkbase
If you know your world seed, you can use an external tool like Chunkbase’s Bastion Remnant Finder. Enter your seed and Minecraft version and it shows you the exact coordinates of every Bastion on the map. This works for both Java and Bedrock Edition. To get your seed in-game, type /seed in the chat.
The Four Types of Bastion Remnants
There are four distinct variants of Bastion Remnants. Each one has a different layout, set of mobs, and loot pool. All four have an equal chance of generating.
Bridge Bastion
The Bridge Bastion is one of the most recognizable. It features a large rampart with a Piglin face carved into it, and a long bridge stretching out from the structure over lava. It is generally a bit smaller than the other types. The main dangers here are the exposed walkways — you can be knocked off into lava very easily. Move slowly, take out enemies from a distance, and never fight on a narrow bridge if you can avoid it. At the end of the bridge, you will find a stack of gold blocks on a pillar.
Hoglin Stables
Hoglin Stables are large, ruined multi-level structures. They contain both Piglins and Hoglins, which makes combat chaotic. Hoglins knock you back hard — in a normal open area that is annoying, but inside a Bastion near lava it can be deadly. Loot here is stored in Hoglin Stable chests scattered around the stable sections. Build up three blocks tall to avoid Hoglin attacks while you fight.
Housing Units
Housing Units are made up of four separate ruined buildings arranged around a central courtyard. You can identify this type by the Nether Wart growing in the center. Each building contains chests, and there are usually fewer mobs here compared to other types. This makes Housing Units a reasonable choice for players who want loot without as much immediate danger. Loot chests are often in safer, less guarded locations here.
Treasure Room
The Treasure Room is the most valuable and most dangerous Bastion type. It features a tall rampart connected by a bridge to a large central chamber. The bottom of the chamber is a lava floor with a Magma Cube spawner and a central pile of 13 to 19 Gold Blocks plus one or two treasure chests. Treasure Room chests are the only chests in the game guaranteed to contain a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. Piglin Brutes, Magma Cubes, lava, and fall damage all threaten you at once here. Clear enemies from above before going down. Destroy the Magma Cube spawner early. Take your time.
What Loot Can You Find in a Bastion Remnant?
Loot varies by chest type and Bastion variant, but here is what you can expect across all types:
- Gold Ingots and Gold Blocks — common across all Bastions
- Ancient Debris and Netherite Scrap — rare, found mostly in Treasure Room chests. You can also mine Ancient Debris directly in the Nether
- Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template — guaranteed in Treasure Room chests only
- Enchanted Diamond Armor and Tools — possible in higher-tier chests
- Enchanted Golden Apples — very rare, but possible
- Gilded Blackstone — unique to Bastions, found in the walls
- Pigstep Music Disc — exclusive to Bastions, found in generic chests
- Snout Armor Trim — only found here
- Obsidian and Crying Obsidian — useful for making a Respawn Anchor
- Crossbows and Iron/Golden Armor — commonly found
- Soul Speed Enchanted Books and Boots — found in some chests
If you want to make the most of your Nether trips, check the full potions list and brew a Fire Resistance Potion before entering any Bastion. Lava is everywhere inside.
How to Raid a Bastion Remnant Safely
What to Wear
Wear at least one piece of gold armor before entering. Regular Piglins will not attack you if you have gold armor on. However, Piglin Brutes will always attack you regardless of what you wear. Brutes are stronger than normal Piglins and hit very hard. Prioritize killing Brutes first.
Equip the best armor you have — ideally diamond or Netherite with good enchantments. Fire Protection on armor reduces damage from fire and lava. Bring a Shield to block hits from Piglin Brutes.
What to Bring
- Fire Resistance Potions — essential, lava is everywhere
- Golden Apples — for fast healing during fights
- Blocks for bridging — cobblestone or any cheap block to cross gaps and block doorways
- A Bow with Power enchantment — great for picking off Brutes before they reach you
- An enchanted Sword — check our best sword enchantments guide for the ideal setup
- Food — cooked meat keeps your hunger bar high so your health regenerates
- A Totem of Undying in your off-hand if you have one
How to Open Chests Without Angering Piglins
Opening a chest in front of Piglins will make them hostile, even if you are wearing gold armor. There are a few ways around this:
- Kill nearby Piglins first before opening chests in that area
- Use a Hopper under a chest to pull items out without directly opening it
- Block Piglins’ line of sight using blocks before looting
Mining gold blocks will also trigger Piglins. Save gold mining for last, after the area is cleared.
Tips for Surviving Your Bastion Visit
- Do not rush. Bastion Remnants reward patience over aggression
- Clear enemies floor by floor. Do not drop into the treasure area before dealing with mobs above
- Destroy the Magma Cube spawner in Treasure Rooms immediately — it will keep spawning mobs and pushing you into lava
- Use Splash Potions of Fire Resistance if you need to move through lava-heavy areas fast
- If you get knocked into lava, drink a Fire Resistance Potion before panicking and swim to safety
- Once inside the Nether, consider setting up a Gold Farm to always have gold for bartering
- After clearing the Bastion, barter with any remaining Piglins using gold ingots for extra drops like Ender Pearls and Potions
- Bring Silk Touch if you want to collect the Magma Cube spawner from a Treasure Room
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a Bastion Remnant in Minecraft?
Enter the Nether and explore open biomes like Nether Wastes, Warped Forest, Crimson Forest, or Soul Sand Valley. Bastion Remnants are large dark blackstone structures visible from a distance across lava lakes. Avoid searching in Basalt Deltas — they cannot spawn there. You can also type /locate structure minecraft:bastion_remnant with cheats on to get the exact coordinates.
How rare is a Bastion Remnant in Minecraft?
Bastion Remnants are actually quite common. In Java Edition, there is a 60% chance of a Bastion generating in each large Nether region instead of a Nether Fortress. In Bedrock Edition the chance is 66%. Each region covers hundreds of blocks, so you may need to travel a few hundred blocks before finding one, but they are not rare by Minecraft structure standards.
What biomes do Bastion Remnants spawn in?
Bastion Remnants spawn in all Nether biomes except Basalt Deltas. They can be found in Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, Crimson Forest, and Warped Forest. If a Bastion tries to generate in Basalt Deltas, the game skips it and nothing generates in that region.
What is the best Bastion Remnant type for loot?
The Treasure Room Bastion is the best for loot. It is the only type that guarantees a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in its treasure chests. It also contains the most gold blocks and has the highest chance of Enchanted Golden Apples and diamond gear. It is also the most dangerous type, so come prepared.
Do Piglins attack you in a Bastion Remnant?
Regular Piglins will not attack you if you are wearing at least one piece of gold armor. However, Piglin Brutes spawn in all Bastion Remnants and will attack you regardless of what armor you wear. Always prioritize killing Piglin Brutes first. Opening chests or mining gold near regular Piglins will also make them hostile.
Can a Bastion Remnant and Nether Fortress spawn together?
No. The game divides the Nether into regions, and only one major structure — either a Bastion Remnant or a Nether Fortress — can generate per region. If you find a Nether Fortress, move at least 400 to 500 blocks away before searching for a Bastion in a different direction.
What unique items can only be found in Bastion Remnants?
Several items are exclusive to Bastion Remnants in vanilla survival Minecraft: Gilded Blackstone, the Pigstep music disc, the Snout Armor Trim, and the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. Magma Cube spawners are also only found here. You cannot obtain these items anywhere else in the game without trading or commands.
