Respawn Anchor — Minecraft block

Respawn Anchor

Respawn Anchor sets a respawn point inside the Nether — the only block that lets a player wake up in the lower dimension.

Block ID minecraft:respawn_anchor
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21
Watch video tutorial

Description

Respawn Anchor is crafted from six crying obsidian and three glowstone in the standard pattern, with both ingredients sourced from the Nether — fitting for a device that only works there. The block has a distinct violet-glowing texture with four energy charges that fill in as the player feeds it glowstone, up to a maximum of four uses.

The device's function is unique: when set as the active respawn point, the player respawns next to it instead of at the world bed location. Beds explode if used in the Nether, so this block is the only safe alternative for any extended Nether stay. Each respawn consumes one charge, so a fully-charged anchor allows four deaths before requiring a glowstone refill. Critically, the device explodes violently if used in the Overworld or End — its existence is locked to the Nether by design. Most bastion-base players keep an anchor near their base entrance with at least two charges available at all times.

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to use a Respawn Anchor in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Craft the anchor

    Fill the top and bottom rows of the crafting grid with crying obsidian (6 total) and the middle row with 3 glowstone to craft one Respawn Anchor.

  2. 2

    Charge it with glowstone

    Right-click the placed Respawn Anchor while holding glowstone to add a charge; each anchor holds up to four charges, shown by the glow color.

  3. 3

    Set your spawn

    Right-click the charged Respawn Anchor with an empty hand or a non-glowstone item to set it as your active respawn point in the Nether.

  4. 4

    Respawn after death

    When you die in the Nether, you reappear next to the Respawn Anchor and it spends one charge; recharge with glowstone before it empties.

Explosion warning

A Respawn Anchor explodes violently if you interact with it in the Overworld or the End — it only works as a spawn point inside the Nether.

How to craft this block

Crafting
Respawn Anchor
1
Respawn Anchor

Frequently asked questions

How do you craft a Respawn Anchor?

Craft a Respawn Anchor with 6 crying obsidian and 3 glowstone — crying obsidian fills the top and bottom rows and glowstone fills the middle row of the crafting grid.

Does a Respawn Anchor work in the Overworld?

No. A Respawn Anchor only sets a spawn point in the Nether. Using it in the Overworld or the End makes it explode and damage the player.

How many times can you respawn with a Respawn Anchor?

A fully charged Respawn Anchor holds four charges, so it allows four respawns before you must refill it with glowstone.

How do you charge a Respawn Anchor?

Right-click the Respawn Anchor while holding glowstone. Each glowstone adds one charge, up to a maximum of four.

What version added the Respawn Anchor?

The Respawn Anchor was added in Minecraft 1.16, the Nether Update, and is available in both Java and Bedrock Edition.

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