How to Get Elytra in Minecraft: No Crafting Required

You cannot craft an elytra in Minecraft—it's exclusively found in End City treasure chests. To obtain one, defeat the Ender Dragon, locate an End City in the outer End islands, navigate the ship structure, and retrieve it from the chest. This guide reveals precise coordinates, survival strategies, and firework optimization techniques.

Why Crafting Isn't Possible: Setting the Record Straight

Contrary to popular misconception, elytra cannot be crafted in any Minecraft version. Mojang intentionally designed this iconic item as uncraftable to preserve its rarity and reward exploration. The game's code contains zero crafting recipes for elytra—attempting to use crafting grids or commands like /give @p elytra won't create authentic gameplay progression. This deliberate design choice makes finding an elytra a milestone achievement, not a routine craft.

Essential Preparation: Gear Checklist for End City Expeditions

Surviving the End requires meticulous preparation. Unlike the overworld, you can't respawn here if you die during exploration. Pack these non-negotiable items:

• Netherite armor with Protection IV (Shulkers deal high damage)
• 20+ Blocks (Cobweb or dirt for emergency platforms)
• Firework Rockets with Firework Stars (For propulsion mid-flight)
• Mending Enchanted Bow (Silently eliminate Shulkers from range)
• Ender Pearls (Quick repositioning during ship navigation)

Item	Minimum Quantity	Critical Purpose
Slime Blocks	10	Create bouncy escape routes from Shulkers
Shield	1	Block Shulker bullet attacks mid-air
Repair Anvil	1	Fix elytra mid-expedition using phantom membranes

Locating End Cities: Advanced Navigation Techniques

End Cities generate in the outer islands of the End dimension, but finding them efficiently requires strategy. After defeating the Ender Dragon:

1. Launch immediately upward after the exit portal appears—don't land on the central island
2. Travel 1,000+ blocks in any direction (Cities spawn beyond X/Z ±1000)
3. Use chorus fruit teleportation while holding spacebar to maintain altitude
4. Look for telltale signs: Purple pillars with vines and distinctive ship structures

Pro Tip: Cities often generate near "island clusters". If you spot one city, check adjacent islands—78% of End Cities appear in groups of 2-3 within 500 blocks.

Retrieving Your Elytra: Ship Navigation Tactics

End Ships contain the elytra chest, but accessing it demands precision:

• Chest location: Always positioned at the ship's stern, beneath the purple banner
• Shulker avoidance: Destroy Shulkers from 7+ blocks away (they won't open if you're too close)
• Fall prevention: Place blocks beneath you while opening chests—one misstep means death
• Double-check loot: Chests contain 1 elytra + 2-7 other items (enchanted books, saddles, etc.)

Maximizing Flight Efficiency: Beyond Basic Gliding

Most players underutilize elytra. Implement these advanced techniques:

• Firework propulsion: Combine rockets with firework stars for sustained flight (1 star = 10s boost)
• Water landing trick: Dive into water at high speed—elytra won't take damage
• Mending synergy: Pair with Infinity bow to repair using XP from mob kills
• Nether highway: Use soul sand streams for efficient Nether travel while gliding

For long-distance travel, angle your descent at 45 degrees—this achieves optimal speed-to-distance ratio. Combine with firework bursts every 30 seconds to cover 1km in under 90 seconds.

Troubleshooting Common Elytra Issues

Encountering problems? These solutions address frequent pitfalls:

• Elytra won't equip: Ensure you're not wearing chest armor (elytra replaces it)
• Fireworks not propelling: You must be gliding (falling with jump key held)
• Rapid durability loss: Avoid collisions with blocks—each impact costs 3 durability
• Can't find cities: Use /locate structure end_city in Creative mode to get coordinates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get elytra without defeating the Ender Dragon?

No, accessing the outer End islands requires defeating the dragon first. The End gateway portal only appears after the dragon dies.

How many elytra can you find in one End City?

Only one elytra per End City—it always appears in the ship's treasure chest. Multiple cities are required for additional elytra.

Does Mending fully repair elytra durability?

Yes, but only while equipped. Farm phantoms at night to generate XP orbs that repair via Mending enchantment.

Can you find elytra in Minecraft Bedrock Edition?

Absolutely—the End City generation and loot mechanics are identical across Java and Bedrock editions.

Why do some players say elytra can be crafted?

This myth stems from outdated mods or command-block servers. Vanilla Minecraft has never included an elytra crafting recipe.