Block of the Week: End Portal Frame

End portal frame blocks only generate naturally in a single place – portal rooms in strongholds, suspended over a pool of lava. In Java edition, every stronghold has an end portal but in Bedrock edition only some of them do. In both versions, though, every world contains 128 different strongholds so you’ve got a very good chance of finding one eventually. 

Speaking of chance, when each portal frame block is generated, there’s a 10% chance that it’ll already contain an eye of ender, so that’ll save you some time. With 12 blocks, though, the chances of them all containing an eye of ender are very low. Like... one in a trillion low. So make sure you bring some along with you or you’re likely to be disappointed. 

Want to get an End portal frame block for yourself? Well, if you’re playing survival mode then you can’t. Sorry. Like bedrock, End portals can’t be destroyed or created in survival mode. To acquire one you’ll need to either use creative mode’s inventory system or use commands. 

Got your eyes of ender and found an end portal frame? Great! You’re ready for an interdimensional holiday! Hold the eyes, hit use on each frame block in turn, and once you’ve filled them all the portal will activate, filling with an inky blackness. Adjust your armour, grip your sword, and step into that blackness to be transported instantly to the End. 

Oh, and I’d be a terrible columnist if I didn’t mention that there are a few other things you can do with End portal frames. A comparator will spit out a signal of 15 if there’s an eye in the frame and 0 if it isn’t, making it vaguely useful in circuitry. End portals also emit a tiny amount of light. Finally, if you put an end portal under a note block then you’ll get a bass drum sound. 

Music, light, redstone circuitry, and interdimensional travel? Not bad for a block that most players probably don’t normally give a second thought to...