8 Ways Uses For Gold

Gold in Minecraft: More Valuable Than You Might Think

Gold in Minecraft has long been plagued by a reputation of uselessness, despite its rarity. Over the game’s evolution, it has often been regarded as the least valuable ore due to its low durability when used for crafting tools and armor.

While this perception may have held true in the early days of the game, the introduction of the Nether Update has breathed new life into gold as a highly versatile resource. While it may not outshine iron or diamonds in terms of pure survivability, gold now opens up exciting avenues within the game that aren’t as straightforward.

The versatility of gold in Minecraft goes beyond its traditional uses, offering players opportunities to explore gameplay facets that require a different kind of resource, making it a more valuable asset than previously believed.

1. Golden Food

Throughout Minecraft’s history, golden food has maintained its status as a staple resource, dating back to the era when Gold Blocks were used to craft Enchanted Golden Apples. With even a modest supply of gold at your disposal, you can concoct nourishing dishes that bestow effects that would otherwise require extensive potion-making efforts.

When it comes to managing your hunger levels, the Golden Carrot reigns supreme by offering the second-highest saturation value in the game. This ensures that your hunger bar remains satisfactorily filled for an extended duration, minimizing the need for frequent refueling.

In the realm of combat, the Golden Apple takes center stage by providing valuable benefits such as Absorption and Regeneration. These buffs prove invaluable during challenging battles, fortifying your health and bolstering your odds of emerging victorious.

2. Piglin Management

Dealing with Piglins in Minecraft can be a daunting endeavor, as they tend to be quite hostile upon your first encounter, readily attacking you on sight. However, the game takes an interesting twist when you don even a modest piece of gold armor, like a pair of Golden Boots – Piglins suddenly transform into docile creatures, no longer posing a threat to your presence. This transformation alone underscores the value of gold, as it can mean the difference between survival and peril in the Nether’s harsh terrain.

But gold’s utility doesn’t end there in the realm of Piglin interaction. By tossing Gold Ingots at their feet, you initiate their bartering animation, leading them to consume your gold while offering a new item in return. Bartering with Piglins holds significant strategic advantages, especially in the pursuit of reaching The End, as it grants you the chance to obtain valuable resources like Ender Pearls through this exchange. In the treacherous world of Minecraft, harnessing the power of gold can pave the way to survival and success.

3. Disposable Tools

While gold tools often have a reputation for their fragility, this drawback can actually work to our advantage. Particularly in extensive projects that entail a significant amount of mundane mining to clear space, why squander the durability of your Enchanted Diamond Pickaxe when a golden one can suffice?

In contrast to stone tools, gold holds its own against diamond tools in terms of mining speed, ensuring that you won’t sacrifice much efficiency while carrying out your tasks. This principle applies to nearly all tools, so if you’re aiming to swiftly complete a large batch of straightforward tasks, reserve your finest tools and let gold handle the rest.

4. Railway Systems

Certainly, you can hold down the W key for a few minutes to traverse the world using standard Rails, but you’ll quickly realize just how sluggish Minecarts can be, especially when faced with uphill terrain. That’s where Powered Rails come into play – they’re the golden upgrade of your typical Rail and propel Minecarts at impressive speeds.

The beauty of Powered Rails lies in their efficiency; you only need to place them at intervals along the track, so you don’t require an excessive amount of gold to establish a reasonably swift railway system. Once you’re on the track, you can release the controls and marvel as you zoom across the landscape at breakneck speeds.

5. Potion Making

While potions may not offer the same level of survival benefits as golden food, potions crafted with gold-based ingredients still offer valuable utility. There are two potions that incorporate golden materials into their recipes: the Potion of Healing, which utilizes Glistering Melon Slices, and the Potion of Night Vision, which requires Golden Carrots.

Golden Apples remain the top choice for rapid health regeneration when you’re in dire need, but Potions of Healing can prove quite handy when you’re emerging from combat, allowing you to preserve your Absorption for future encounters. On the other hand, Night Vision potions are always a wise choice to carry during the night, as they shield you from ambushes that might otherwise catch you off guard in the darkness.

6. Keeping Time

The significance of information is often underestimated, but it can ultimately determine your effectiveness in any world. A lack of knowledge can lead to daunting situations where you find yourself ill-prepared when it truly matters. Time management is a crucial aspect to consider, especially since emerging from a mine in the dead of night can expose you to swarms of Creepers and Skeletons.

So, how do you keep track of time effectively? The answer lies in a clock, a device crafted from four Gold Ingots and a piece of Redstone. This should be your top priority once you’ve gathered the necessary resources, as it enhances the safety and convenience of planning journeys across the Overworld.

7. Netherite Upgrading

Even if you don’t prioritize using gold for its tools and armor, acquiring gold is still essential if you aspire to access the ultimate material known as Netherite. Crafting a Netherite Ingot demands four Gold Ingots and Netherite Scraps, which adds up to approximately sixteen Gold Ingots to upgrade an entire set of diamond armor.

Considering the incredible power and durability of Netherite, gold gains newfound respect as a resource. You can mine for a substantial duration before Netherite even begins to wear down, making it the ultimate tier of tools and armor that will serve you indefinitely.

8. Armor Trims

Armor Trims are an addition from the 1.20 Trails and Tales update, allowing you to put aesthetic trims onto pieces of armor using Smithing Templates. Each trim can be modified with materials to change its color, accepting every mineable resource including gold at the Smithing Table.

Gold, unsurprisingly, makes the Armor Trim it’s used on the golden, adding a level of refinement that not even the diamond trim can match. Though some color combinations tend to mix together somewhat strangely, gold trims go with nearly every single armor set available.