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Minecraft has become a huge hit since its release in 2009. The game allows players to create their own worlds from scratch using blocks and other objects. While we have a host 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 nasty monsters from disappearing, or even turn your world upside down.
What is a Name Tag in Minecraft?
A name tag is an item in Minecraft used to name almost all mobs in the game. This will prevent it from disappearing naturally and allow you to put a name of your choice above its head.
This is useful for differentiating between different monsters, especially if you have a lot of them close together, like on a farm. There are also other fun uses of the name tag in Minecraft, so keep reading 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, chests that will have name tags can only be found in specific locations.
You can find a name tag in chests in dungeons, mine shafts, woodland mansions, in ancient cities, as well as in buried treasure chests, located with a shipwreck map. To find them, all you have to do is explore! Hope you come across a few name tags as you roam 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 into the treasure category of items you can pick up while fishing, which means they’re rarer and you have to fish in open water.
When you fish successfully, you have a 1 in 6 chance of getting something in the Treasure category. In this 6 chance of treasure, there is a 5% chance that what you catch is a name tag.
If you want to have a better chance of getting treasure while fishing, you can enchant a fishing rod to get the “Luck of the Sea” enchantment.
You also have the option to trade a name tag with a master-level librarian villager.
However, it will take a lot of effort to get a librarian to master level, and then it will cost 20 emeralds to buy a name tag. However, it is also the easiest and only guaranteed way to get a nametag in Minecraft.
How to Use a Name Tag in Minecraft
Once you’ve managed to get your hands on a name tag for your virtual Minecraft, you’ll need to put it in an anvil to rename it. Simply place the name tag in the first box of the Anvil interface, edit the name at the top, and part with an EXP level to rename it. Then you can interact with any mob with the name tag in your main hand to apply that name to the mob! This will make your chosen name appear above the crowd, and in most cases will prevent it from disappearing.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. Wandering Traders will vanish even if named, and Silverfish will lose their names once vanished in a block.
However, baby animals or villagers will keep their name once they reach adult size, and a villager will even keep their name if they are transformed into a zombie villager.
Fun ways to use a Minecraft name tag!
Some specific names have been coded to create fun in-game events! Try naming a few mobs from this list…
- Naming a bunny “Toast” will change its color to a black and white variant that wouldn’t otherwise appear in-game (different from the salt and pepper bunny variant), and was named after the lost bunny of a player.
- Naming a sheep “jeb_” (after jens) will turn him into a Rainbow Sheep! Its wool will constantly scroll through different colors.
- Naming any monster “Dinnerbone” or “Grumm” will cause it to turn upside down!
- Naming a Vindicator “Johnny” will cause him to attack any nearby mob with his axe… Inspired by The Shining.
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So using a name tag in Minecraft not only allows you to easily differentiate between mobs that may be similar, but can also force them to do weird things!
You can use them to help identify certain monsters such as 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to 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 string is to kill spiders.
Once you have a fishing rod, there are many ways to use it, but the easiest is to simply equip it and use it through the water.
As said before, if you want a better chance of getting the best fishing loot, you can enchant a fishing rod to get the “Luck Of The Sea” enchantment.
How do I enchant in Minecraft?
Enchantments are used to give items special properties. They can be used for a variety of purposes to enhance the usefulness of items and gear in Minecraft.
To craft an enchantment table, you will need two diamonds, four obsidian blocks, and a book. If you can’t find a book, they can be crafted with leather and paper.
To farm obsidian, you’ll need a diamond pickaxe, which requires three diamonds in addition to the other two you need for the enchantment table.
Enchantment tables will also be more effective if they are surrounded by shelves, but this requires a lot more resources.
More Minecraft Blocks and Items Guides
And head over to our Minecraft hub for even more news, guides, and tips!