From Stick to Mine King: Why Do You Even Need a Pickaxe in Minecraft?

Hello, miner friends! It's me again, and today we're going to talk about the most important thing. Mining — is an absolutely essential part of Minecraft, as it's literally in the game's name (Mine - to dig!). So, I present to you the ultimate guide to mining ores in Minecraft version 1.21. This guide is perfect for both beginners learning the basics and experienced players looking for ways to mine more efficiently.

Let's start with the most important tool for mining — the pickaxe! A pickaxe is crafted from two sticks and three materials. There are six types of pickaxes in total, and each one has its own story.

Types of Pickaxes: From Stick to Divine Tool

Wooden Pickaxe
Crafted from two sticks and three planks of any type. Honestly, its only job is to help you mine the first three blocks of stone. It's the slowest in the game, and the first thought you have when making it is: "I need to replace this as soon as possible."
What it can mine: Stone, coal, copper.

Stone Pickaxe
Made from two sticks and three blocks of cobblestone. This is a bit more serious. It's only slightly faster than the wooden one but gives you access to metal!
What it can mine: Everything the wooden one can + iron ore.

Iron Pickaxe
This is where the real game begins. Crafted from two sticks and three iron ingots. In terms of speed, it ranks fourth and, most importantly, opens the way to the most valuable resources.
What it can mine: Everything the stone one can + lapis lazuli, gold, redstone, and, of course, diamonds!

Diamond Pickaxe
Crafted from two sticks and three diamonds. It was a real breakthrough when I made it. It ranks third in speed but is very durable and allows you to mine obsidian.
What it can mine: Absolutely everything, including obsidian and ancient debris.

Netherite Pickaxe
This is the top! Created by combining a diamond pickaxe with a netherite ingot and a smithing template on a smithing table. It's the second fastest pickaxe in the game, doesn't burn in lava (how many times has this saved my nerves!), and is super durable.
What it can mine: Everything the diamond one can, but faster and better.

Golden Pickaxe
And here comes our sprinter. Crafted from two sticks and three gold ingots. In terms of speed, it's the fastest pickaxe in the game! But, honestly, its durability — is just a joke. It breaks almost instantly, and the number of blocks it can mine is very limited. It's only good for quick passes through soft materials.

Enchantments: How to Turn a Pickaxe into a Magical Artifact

Now that we understand the basics, let's talk about magic. The right enchantments on a pickaxe — are something else!

• Efficiency (Efficiency V): A must-have! With this enchantment, you'll cut through stone like butter. With a netherite pickaxe under a beacon, you'll literally walk through walls.
• Mending (Mending): The best thing ever invented in the game. The pickaxe repairs itself using your experience. This means it will serve you forever! Just hold it while collecting experience from a farm or furnace.
• Fortune (Fortune III): Want more diamonds? With this enchantment, you can get up to four from a single ore! Never, do you hear me, NEVER mine rare ores without "Fortune." It's just not worth it.
• Silk Touch (Silk Touch): An alternative to "Fortune." Allows you to mine blocks in their original form: glass panes, leaves, ores (to break them later at home with a "Fortune" pickaxe), and even mob spawners. I always have two pickaxes: one with "Fortune" and another with "Silk Touch."

I hope this guide helps you mine more efficiently and get rich faster. What are your favorite pickaxe enchantment combinations? Share them in the comments!