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Minecraft has become a huge hit since its release in 2009. The game allows players to build their own worlds from scratch using blocks and other items. While we have plenty of Minecraft guides in our dedicated hub, in this one, we’ll show you how to use a Minecraft name tag to really make those pets your own, keep those mean mobs from disappearing, or even turn your world upside down.
What is a name tag in Minecraft?
A name tag is an item in Minecraft that is used to name almost any mob in the game. This will prevent it from fading naturally and allow you to put a name of your choice on its head.
This is useful for differentiating between different creatures, especially if you have many close to each other, like on a farm. There are also other fun uses for the name tag in Minecraft, so read on if you want to know what they are!
How to get a name tag in minecraft
Name Tags are not a craftable item and can only be obtained by finding them in the Overworld.
The easiest way to find an item tag is from a chest you find. However, the chests that will have name tags are only found in specific locations.
You can find a name tag on chests in dungeons, mine shafts, forest mansions, in ancient cities, and also in buried treasure chests, located with a shipwreck map. To find them, just explore! Hopefully, you’ll find some name tags as you go through your Minecraft world without even trying.
In addition to finding name tags in procedurally generated chests, you can also receive them by fishing. Name tags fall under the treasure category of items you can pick up while fishing, which means they are rarer and you need to be fishing in the open water.
When you fish successfully, you have a 1/6 chance of getting something within the Treasure category. Within this 1/6 treasure chance, there is a 5% chance that what you catch will be a name tag.
If you want to have a higher chance of getting treasure when fishing, you can enchant a fishing rod to get the ‘Luck of the Sea’ enchantment.
You also have a chance to trade for a name tag with a Master Level Librarian Villager.
However, it will take a lot of effort for a librarian to reach master level, and then it will cost 20 emeralds to buy a name tag. However, it is also the easiest and most guaranteed way to get a name tag in Minecraft.
How to use a name tag in minecraft
Once you’ve managed to get a name tag into your virtual Minecraft hands, you’ll need to place it on an anvil to rename it. Simply place the name tag in the first box of the Anvil interface, rename it at the top, and part with an EXP level to rename it. You can then interact with any mob with the name tag in your main hand to apply that name to the mob! This will cause the name you have chosen to appear above the mob and in most cases will prevent it from disappearing.
There are some exceptions to this rule. Wandering Traders will still disappear even if they are named, and Silverfish will lose their name once they disappear in a block.
However, baby animals or villagers will keep their name once they grow to full size, and a villager will even keep their name if they become a zombie villager.
Fun ways to use a Minecraft name tag!
There are some specific names that have been coded to result in fun in-game events! Try to name some mobs from this list…
- Naming a Rabbit “Toast” will change its color to a black and white variant that does not otherwise appear in-game (other than the Salt and Pepper Rabbit variant), and was named after the lost bunny of a player.
- Naming a sheep “jeb_” (after Jens) will cause it to turn into a rainbow sheep. Your wool will constantly scroll through different colors.
- Naming any mob “Dinnerbone” or “Grumm” will turn it face down!
- Naming a Vindicator “Johnny” will cause him to attack any nearby mob with his ax… Inspired by The Shining.
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Therefore, using a name tag in Minecraft not only allows you to easily differentiate between mobs that may look similar, but it can also force them to do strange things!
You can use them to help identify certain mobs like zombies, skeletons, creepers, spiders, wolves, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, horses, goats, rabbits, deer, cats, dogs, birds, fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, slimes , ocelots, and many more!
Now that you know how to find and use them, be sure to use them to your advantage!
Frequent questions
How can I fish in Minecraft?
Fishing is one of the easiest ways to get resources in Minecraft. You can make a fishing rod out of sticks and string. The easiest way to find ropes is by killing spiders.
Once you have a fishing rod, there are many different ways to use it, but the easiest way is to equip it and use it by the water.
As said above, if you want to have a better chance of getting the best loot from fishing, you can enchant a fishing rod to get the ‘Luck of the Sea’ enchantment.
How to enchant in Minecraft?
Enchantments are used to give objects special properties. They can be used for a variety of different purposes to enhance the usefulness of items and equipment in Minecraft.
To craft an enchanting table you will need two diamonds, four obsidian blocks, and a book. If you can’t find a book, they can be made from leather and paper.
To farm obsidian, you’ll need a diamond pickaxe, which needs three diamonds in addition to the other two you need for the enchanting table.
Enchanting tables will also be more effective if they are surrounded by bookshelves, but this requires a lot more resources.
More Minecraft Items and Blocks Guides
And head over to our Minecraft hub for even more news, guides, and how-tos!