Formations Nether

Overview

Formations Nether is a structure expansion mod that adds 21 new structures to the Nether dimension. These structures span every Nether biome and range from small natural formations like Ore Shards hanging from cave ceilings to substantial buildings like the Blackstone Castle, which contains some of the best loot in the mod. There are no new items, blocks, or mobs; the mod focuses entirely on making Nether exploration more interesting and rewarding.

The structures fall into three frequency categories. Most are Common structures with a spacing of 5 chunks, meaning you will encounter them regularly as you explore. Ore Shards are even more frequent with a spacing of just 4 chunks. The two Rare structures, Blackstone Castle and Checkerboard Temple, use a spacing of 15 chunks, making them genuine finds worth seeking out. You can browse all items and loot details using the tabs on this page.

Natural Formations

Several structures in the mod mimic natural Nether terrain features, adding visual variety without feeling out of place. These structures generally do not contain loot Chests and serve as environmental enhancements that make the Nether feel more alive.

Ore Shards

Ore Shards are the most frequently generated structure in the mod, with a spacing of just 4 chunks and a minimum separation of 1 chunk. They hang from the Nether ceiling as clusters of ore blocks, appearing across all Nether biomes. There are four variants, each containing different ore compositions. These are a reliable source of materials if you can figure out how to reach them safely, as they often spawn at considerable heights.

Obsidian Pillar

Tall columns of Obsidian that generate on the Nether surface across Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, Crimson Forest, and Warped Forest biomes. These pillars are purely decorative but can serve as useful landmarks while navigating the Nether. The Obsidian itself is also worth mining if you need it.

Quartz Spikes

Sharp formations of Quartz blocks that jut out of the ground in Nether Wastes and Soul Sand Valley biomes. Like Obsidian Pillars, these are decorative structures, but they also provide a handy source of Nether Quartz without needing to mine individual ore blocks. Two visual variants keep things interesting.

Flaming Pillar

A tall pillar structure topped with fire, found exclusively in Nether Wastes. This is another landmark-style structure that adds visual character to the landscape without containing loot.

Nether Wart Field

Patches of Nether Wart growing naturally on Soul Sand, found in Nether Wastes and Soul Sand Valley biomes. These fields are a convenient source of Nether Wart for brewing without needing to find a Nether Fortress. Two variants provide different field layouts.

Large Tree

Massive tree structures that generate in Crimson Forest and Warped Forest biomes. These oversized fungi towers stand out from the standard Nether trees and contain a Chest with modest loot including Gold Ingots, Gold Nuggets, Warped Fungus, Crimson Fungus, Glowstone Dust, and Glow Berries.

Loot Structures

The real draw of Formations Nether is the structures that contain loot Chests. These range from small shrines with basic Nether materials to large castles with Netherite-tier rewards. All loot structures use the Common set (spacing 5, separation 2) unless otherwise noted.

Blackstone Castle (Rare)

The crown jewel of the mod. Blackstone Castles are Rare structures (spacing 15, separation 10) that generate across all Nether biomes and come in two variants. Their Chests contain 4-5 rolls from one of the richest loot tables in the mod. You can find Netherite Ingots (1-2), Ancient Debris (1-3), Netherite Scraps (1-6), Enchanted Golden Apples, Golden Apples, Blaze Rods, Blaze Powder, Nether Wart, Ghast Tears, and Wither Roses. The Chests also have a chance to contain enchanted Gold and Iron tools, weapons, armor, Bows, and Enchanted Books with levels ranging from 20 to 40.

Small Lava Shrine

Found exclusively in Nether Wastes, these shrines contain 4-5 rolls of loot including Netherite Scraps (1-3), Gold Ingots (1-3), Blaze Powder (1-5), Magma Blocks (1-3), and Magma Cream (3-5). A solid source of Netherite Scraps for players who are not ready to mine Ancient Debris directly.

Sphere Cage

Sphere-shaped structures that generate buried underground across all Nether biomes. These come in two variants with different loot themes. The Wither variant contains 5-9 rolls including Wither Skeleton Skulls (1-2), Wither Roses (1-2), Blaze Powder (1-4), Iron Ingots (1-4), Coal (1-4), and Coal Blocks. The Piglin variant contains 6-9 rolls with Netherite Scraps (1-2), Blaze Powder (1-4), Gold Ingots (1-2), Gold Nuggets (1-2), Gold Blocks, Magma Cream (1-4), and Nether Wart (1-4). The Piglin variant is especially valuable for Gold and Netherite materials.

Small Fire Arena

An arena structure found in Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, and Basalt Deltas. The loot comes in two pools: the first provides 5-6 rolls of Bones (1-2), Coal (1-2), Wither Roses, and Wither Skeleton Skulls. The second pool gives 1-2 enchanted items, including Iron Swords, Pickaxes, Axes, Shovels, armor pieces, and Enchanted Books (all enchanted at levels 20-35). This makes Fire Arenas a reliable source of enchanted Iron gear early in a Nether expedition.

Small Lava Arena

Similar to the Fire Arena but found across all Nether biomes. The Chest contains 4-6 rolls from a loot table that includes Netherite Scraps (1-4), Gold Ingots (1-4), Gold Blocks, Enchanted Golden Apples, Ghast Tears, and Blaze Rods. The Lava Arena has some of the best single-Chest loot among the common structures.

Rib Cage

A skeletal structure resembling a giant ribcage, found in Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, Crimson Forest, and Warped Forest. Two variants exist. The Chest loot includes Mushroom Stew, Bones (2-4), Blaze Powder (2-4), Glass (2-4), Magma Cream (2-4), Ender Pearls (1-4), and Netherrack (1-2). While not the richest loot, the Ender Pearls make these worth checking.

Parkour Challenge

A platforming challenge exclusive to Nether Wastes. Successfully completing the parkour course rewards you with a Chest containing 3-4 rolls of Golden Carrots (2-5), Blaze Powder (2-5), Magma Cream (2-3), Bones (2-5), and Ender Pearls (2-3). A second loot pool guarantees one enchanted item: Golden or Iron tools, weapons, armor, or Bows, all enchanted at levels 20-35. The challenge is well worth attempting for the guaranteed enchanted gear.

Large House

A substantial building found in Crimson Forest and Warped Forest biomes. The Large House is one of the most feature-rich structures in the mod. It includes a Brewing Stand (50% chance to contain potions with up to 5 brewing slots), a Respawn Anchor, Chiseled Bookshelves (15% chance to contain books), and growing plants. The Chest loot provides 5-7 rolls including Ghast Tears, Wither Roses, Warped Fungus, Crimson Fungus, Magma Cream, an enchanted Golden Sword (level 25-35), Nether Wart, Blaze Powder, Golden Apples, Saddles, and Warped Fungus on a Sticks. A separate Barrel contains 1-5 rolls of Netherite Scraps (1-2), Gold Ingots (1-2), Gold Nuggets (1-2), Iron Ingots (1-2), and Iron Nuggets (1-2).

Campsite

A small camp found in Crimson Forest and Warped Forest biomes. The Chest contains 2-4 rolls of loot including Ghast Tears, Warped Fungus (1-2), Crimson Fungus (1-2), Nether Wart (1-3), Blaze Powder (1-3), Golden Apples, Saddles, and Warped Fungus on a Sticks. Campsites are a good early find for stocking up on brewing ingredients.

Basalt Hut

Found exclusively in Basalt Deltas, this hut comes in two variants. The Chest contains 3-4 rolls with Ghast Tears, Magma Cream (1-2), Nether Wart (1-2), Blaze Powder (1-2), Saddles, Warped Fungus on a Sticks, Mushroom Stew, and Suspicious Stew. While the loot is modest, these huts are among the only structures you will find in the harsh Basalt Deltas biome.

Blackstone Remnant

Ruined Blackstone structures found across all Nether biomes. Two variants exist. The Chest contains 2-4 rolls with Blackstone (1-2), Gold Ingots (1-3), and Gold Nuggets. There is also a chance for an enchanted Bow (levels 10-20). These are modest loot-wise but help make Blackstone more available without needing to mine Basalt Deltas specifically.

Decorative Structures

Small Pedestal & Large Pedestal

Pedestals are purely decorative structures without loot. The Small Pedestal comes in two variants and spawns in Crimson Forest and Warped Forest. The Large Pedestal also has two display variants and spawns in Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, and Basalt Deltas. These add architectural interest to the landscape and can serve as landmarks for navigation.

Respawn Anchor Altar

A small altar featuring a pre-placed Respawn Anchor, found across all Nether biomes. This is one of the most practically useful structures in the mod, giving you a free Respawn Anchor without needing to craft one. The Respawn Anchor Processor ensures it generates with a randomized charge level, so it may already be partially or fully charged when you find it.

Checkerboard Temple (Rare)

A distinctive temple built with a checkerboard pattern, found in Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, and Basalt Deltas. This is one of only two Rare structures in the mod (spacing 15, separation 10). Despite its rarity, the Checkerboard Temple does not contain loot Chests. It is a purely architectural landmark, but its unique visual design makes it an impressive find and a great location to build a Nether base around.

Structure Locations by Biome

Knowing which biome to search is key to finding specific structures. Some structures generate across all Nether biomes using the is_nether biome tag, while others are restricted to specific biomes. Here is the full breakdown of where each structure can spawn.

Best Structures for Netherite

One of the biggest benefits of Formations Nether is providing alternative sources of Netherite materials. Several structures include Netherite Scraps, Ancient Debris, or even Netherite Ingots in their loot tables, giving you a way to gather Netherite without strip mining at Y=15.

The Blackstone Castle is the single best source, offering Netherite Ingots (1-2), Ancient Debris (1-3), and Netherite Scraps (1-6) all in one Chest. The Small Lava Shrine provides Netherite Scraps (1-3) as its headline loot. Small Lava Arenas can drop Netherite Scraps (1-4), and the Piglin variant Sphere Cages offer Netherite Scraps (1-2). Even the Large House Barrel has a chance at Netherite Scraps (1-2). Between all of these sources, dedicated structure hunting can supplement or even replace traditional Ancient Debris mining.

Structure Generation Details

The mod uses three structure sets that control how frequently and densely structures generate. Understanding these numbers helps you know what to expect while exploring.

The Ore Shards set uses spacing 4 and separation 1, making these by far the most common structures. You will see them hanging from nearly every cave ceiling. The Common set (spacing 5, separation 2) covers the majority of structures, including all the loot-bearing ones except the Blackstone Castle. At this density, you should encounter multiple common structures during any moderately long Nether walk. The Rare set (spacing 15, separation 10) applies only to the Blackstone Castle and Checkerboard Temple, making them genuine discoveries that require extended exploration to find.

Structures also use different placement modes. Most generate on the Nether's underground surface (the floor of caves and open areas). Ore Shards uniquely use ceiling placement, hanging from above. Sphere Cages use buried placement, meaning they are encased within Netherrack and must be mined into or stumbled upon while tunneling.