Minecraft: How to Build an End Portal and Reach the Ender Dragon

Although part of the appeal of Minecraft is that Creative mode offers virtually limitless possibilities, the ultimate goal of Survival mode is to defeat the Ender Dragon. You can also reach it in Creative mode. To get there, you'll need to activate an End Portal, and here we'll explain how to do it.

How to create a portal to the End

Activating a portal to the End is a somewhat complex process that first requires you to create another kind of portal. Here's what you need to activate an End Portal:

• If you're playing in Survival mode, you'll find the portal structure inside a room in a stronghold. The room contains 12 End Portal Frame blocks arranged around an empty 3x3 area.
• You can locate a stronghold using Eyes of Ender, which travel in its direction when thrown.
• You must place an Eye of Ender in every frame block to turn the central area into a portal.
• Some of the frame blocks may already contain an Eye of Ender.
• If you're playing in Creative mode, you'll need to build the portal yourself using 12 End Portal Frame blocks. Arrange them around a 3x3 space, with three frame blocks on each of its four sides, making sure that every frame faces inward.

How to get Eyes of Ender

• To obtain an Eye of Ender, you must craft it using an Ender Pearl and Blaze Powder.
• Ender Pearls are dropped by Endermen, which can appear in many different locations.
• Blaze Powder is obtained by breaking down a Blaze Rod, which in turn is dropped when you defeat a Blaze.
• Blazes are enemies that appear in the Nether. You'll need to find a Nether Fortress and approach a Blaze spawner to make them appear.
• To reach the Nether, you must build a rectangular frame measuring at least 4x5 blocks out of obsidian and light a fire inside it. This will activate a Nether Portal.