With more than 15 years of history, it’s no surprise that plenty of Minecraft no-gos have emerged over time—things you simply shouldn’t do. Sometimes it’s because they’re dangerous; other times, game mechanics don’t work the way you might expect. This kind of list is especially useful for new players, but even veterans or returning players might learn a thing or two! In the end, play however you like. It never hurts, though, to keep a few of these rules in mind.
1. Never dig straight down or straight up in Minecraft
The oldest and most important rule still applies. It’s tempting to tunnel into a mountain or start a mineshaft the quick way—but a single wrong block can send you to your death by fall damage, drop you into lava, or leave you at the mercy of mobs.
Instead, build a staircase. It can go straight down, or you can make a spiral staircase. The latter works well if you dig a 2x2 tunnel and go down one block at a time. Alternatively, dig a 1x2 tunnel and use ladders to control your descent.
2. Don’t attack villagers—protect your trades
Villagers are the only peaceful creatures you can directly interact with in your world, so don’t scare them by attacking. It’s not just morally questionable—villagers will gossip and give you worse trade prices for your misdeeds. Your village reputation drops the worse you treat them, and their offers get more expensive.
3. Never travel without a compass, map, and coordinates
Minecraft worlds are huge, and once you head out on an adventure it can be tough to find your way back to base. You might end up thousands of blocks away and need to get home. Your normal sense of direction rarely cuts it.
Use tools like the coordinates on the F3 menu, a compass, and maps to orient yourself. Signposts are helpful too. Want more on navigation? We’ve got a full guide: (Effective Navigation in Minecraft: Using Compass and Map) .
4. Beds explode in the Nether and End—don’t sleep there
This one can literally blow up on new players. In the Overworld, beds are great for skipping night and setting your spawn. In the Nether and the End, though, beds explode when you try to sleep. In the Nether, use respawn anchors instead. In the End, there’s currently no way to respawn. Some players do use beds to defeat the Ender Dragon, however.
5. Protect key tools and remap the Q key
A niche tip that can save your life. By default, you can press Q to drop items from your hotbar—handy for sharing or discarding. But it can betray you, especially in fights with Creepers.
In combat, you might hit Q by mistake and toss your sword. If a Creeper explodes nearby, there’s a chance it blows up the item. That’s brutal if it’s a well-enchanted sword or pickaxe. Tip: remap Q to a different key.
6. Always bring enough food
This should be obvious, but unless you’re on Peaceful, always carry enough food—especially for long trips or caving. Food doesn’t just fill your hunger, it heals you after tough fights. Top picks include cooked meat, stews, and golden carrots.
7. Get better enchants with books and an anvil, not just the enchanting table
Enchanting can be tricky for both newcomers and veterans. There are many ways to build the perfect tool. Don’t rely only on the enchanting table—use other methods too.
Enchanted books are often better because you can fine-tune exactly which enchants your tools should have. Later, combine them on an anvil. Books can hold multiple enchantments that you can apply individually.
8. Always use a shield in combat
If you’re returning after years away, the combat system has changed. The shield, worn in your off-hand, is essential now to block damage, stop arrows, and even survive Creeper explosions.
9. Never spawn the Wither near your base
The Wither is one of Minecraft’s toughest bosses. Fortunately, you can choose when and where to fight it. Summon it in a secure cave far from your base. As soon as it spawns, it explodes.
The fight itself is also destructive if you do it normally. Its projectiles explode, scarring the landscape around you. Play it safe. Learn more in our dedicated Wither guide: (Defeating the Minecraft Wither – How to Conquer the Strongest Boss!) .
10. Don’t underestimate Silk Touch—harvest certain blocks correctly
Finally, Silk Touch lets you pick up blocks directly. For some blocks, it’s essential—otherwise, you get nothing back. Glass, glass panes, ice, and campfires are prime examples you’d destroy without Silk Touch. It’s also great for bookshelves so you don’t lose the wood. Most importantly, use it for Ender Chests. Without it, you only get obsidian back and lose the Eye of Ender.
Conclusion: Know Minecraft’s most important rules
Minecraft is a game of endless possibilities, but there are still many things to keep in mind. Some rules are obvious, others might be new to you. Whether you’re new or returning, we hope a few of these tips save you from an untimely death. There’s always more to learn in Minecraft, and mistakes are a great way to avoid future mishaps.
Go ahead and rent one of our Minecraft servers and put these tips to work to make your start as smooth as possible. You can, of course, play with friends and share some of these pointers with them.
