In the expansive universe of Minecraft, Elytra stands out as the ultimate tool for aerial exploration, allowing players to glide gracefully through the skies. This rare piece of equipment not only expands your reach across the game's vast landscapes but also adds an exhilarating dimension to your gameplay with the ability to perform stunning aerial maneuvers.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to acquire Elytra across different game modes, and provide detailed instructions on how to use, repair, and enhance them to maximize your gliding experience.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- How to Get Elytra in Minecraft in Survival Mode
- Preparing for Battle
- Activating the Portal to the End
- Finding the Stronghold
- Battle with the Dragon
- Inside the Ship
- Creative Mode
- Commands
- How to Fly with Elytra
- Flight Controls
- Fireworks Boost
- How to Upgrade and Repair Elytra
- Using Anvil
- Using the Mending Enchantment
Basic Information
Elytra is a unique and coveted item in Minecraft, designed to enhance your exploration by allowing you to glide. When equipped, Elytra transforms into majestic wings, but when folded, it cleverly disguises itself as a stylish cloak. To fully utilize Elytra, combining it with fireworks can significantly increase your travel speed and distance, making your journey through the Minecraft world not just faster, but also more thrilling.
The only natural source of Elytra is within the mysterious End dimension, specifically inside ships located near End Cities. These can only be accessed after defeating the formidable Ender Dragon. However, alternative methods to obtain Elytra are available in other game modes, which we'll explore in this guide.

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How to Get Elytra in Minecraft in Survival Mode
Preparing for Battle
Before venturing into the End, thorough preparation is crucial. Arm yourself with Diamond or Netherite armor, ideally enchanted for maximum protection. A sword and a bow, both enchanted with abilities like Infinity or Power, will be your primary weapons against the Ender Dragon. Stock up on arrows or a crossbow loaded with fireworks for effective ranged attacks. Don't overlook potions; those of regeneration, strength, and slow falling are essential for sustaining yourself during the battle. Golden apples serve as an excellent source of emergency healing, and blocks are useful for accessing the End Crystals. To ward off Endermen, wearing a carved pumpkin on your head is a clever trick to prevent their aggression.

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Activating the Portal to the End
To reach the End, you'll need to activate the portal using 12 Eyes of Ender. These are also used to locate the Stronghold, so ensure you have an ample supply. Crafting an Eye of Ender requires Blaze Powder, obtained from Blaze Rods dropped by Blaze mobs in the Nether Fortress, and Ender Pearls, which are dropped by Endermen. Blaze Powder is relatively easier to gather due to the limited spawning area of Blaze mobs, whereas Ender Pearls might require more effort and luck, as Endermen spawn unpredictably.

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Finding the Stronghold
The Stronghold lies deep beneath the surface. Use the Eye of Ender to guide you to its location. Once you're close, the Eye will hover, signaling you to start digging. Be prepared for a challenging journey through dark, monster-filled labyrinths. Once inside, find the portal room and insert the Eyes of Ender into the portal frame to activate it. Then, step through to enter the End.

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Battle with the Dragon
Upon entering the End, the battle with the Ender Dragon begins. Your first objective should be to destroy the End Crystals that heal the dragon. You can either shoot them from a distance with a bow or climb up to destroy them manually. Once the crystals are gone, focus on damaging the dragon when it's airborne or landing on the portal. A combination of ranged attacks with the bow and close combat with the sword is effective.

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After defeating the dragon, a portal to the End Gateway will appear. Throw an Ender Pearl into it to teleport to the outer islands, where you'll find End Cities. Look for the tall, purple towers and nearby ships, which are your key to finding Elytra. Be cautious of Shulkers, the guardians of these ships.

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Inside the Ship
Inside the ship, locate the Item Frame on the wall. Break it to claim the Elytra wings. Don't forget to check the chests for additional rewards.

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Creative Mode
If you prefer a less challenging approach, obtaining Elytra in Creative Mode is straightforward. Simply open your inventory, search for "Elytra," and add it to your inventory. This method, while easier, doesn't provide the same thrill as earning it in Survival Mode.

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Commands
For those who prefer using commands, ensure cheats are enabled in your world settings or through LAN. Open the chat window and type /give @s minecraft:elytra to instantly add Elytra to your inventory. This method is quick and bypasses the need for exploration or combat.
How to Fly with Elytra
To start your aerial adventure, equip the Elytra in the chest armor slot of your inventory. Find a high place to jump from, and press the Spacebar to initiate gliding.

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Flight Controls
Control your flight using the following keys:
- W – Move forward
- A – Turn left
- S – Slow down or descend
- D – Turn right
Fireworks Boost
To increase your speed and distance, use Fireworks. Craft them with 1 Paper and 1 Gunpowder. The more ingredients, the longer the boost. Hold the Fireworks in your hand and press the action button to propel yourself forward.

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How to Upgrade and Repair Elytra
To extend the life of your Elytra, consider the following methods:
Using Anvil
To repair Elytra, place an Anvil and right-click on it. Put the Elytra in the left slot and leather in the right slot. After confirming the repair, retrieve your restored Elytra from the right slot.

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Using the Mending Enchantment
For automatic repair, apply the Mending enchantment to your Elytra. Find an Enchanted Book with Mending, which can be obtained from chests, fishing, or trading. Use an Enchanting Table or Anvil to apply the enchantment. Once enchanted, your Elytra will repair itself as you collect experience points.

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Elytra in Minecraft not only revolutionizes how you explore the game's world but also adds a layer of excitement and skill to your adventures. With practice, you'll master the art of gliding, opening up new horizons in the cubic universe. Equip yourself with the necessary resources, and let the skies of Minecraft be your playground!