If you manage to break an End Gateway, which is often informally referred to as an "end city portal," players can still utilize the corresponding gateway from other locations to return. However, instead of appearing at an intact portal, they will be teleported to the exact location where the gateway was broken. Crucially, the broken gateway does not regenerate.
Understanding End Gateways
End Gateways are naturally generated structures in the End dimension of Minecraft. They serve as crucial travel hubs, allowing players to traverse vast distances between the main End island (where the Ender Dragon fight occurs) and the outer End islands, which are home to End Cities and Chorus Forests.
- Appearance: Typically, an End Gateway appears as a 1x1 block of bedrock with a void-like portal in its center.
- Function: Upon entering, players are instantly teleported to another End Gateway located hundreds or thousands of blocks away. These gateways form a network, facilitating exploration of the sprawling outer End.
How Can an End Gateway Be Broken?
In standard Survival mode, End Gateways are made of bedrock and are virtually indestructible by normal means. They cannot be mined with any pickaxe. Breaking them usually requires:
- Creative Mode: In Creative mode, players can instantly break any block, including bedrock and End Gateways.
- Exploits/Glitches: Rarely, specific game exploits or glitches might allow bedrock to be broken in Survival mode, which would also apply to End Gateways.
Consequences of Breaking an End Gateway
Breaking an End Gateway has a distinct set of implications for travel within the End:
1. One-Way Impairment
Once an End Gateway is broken from its original location, it ceases to function as an entry point from that specific spot. You cannot simply walk into the empty space where it once was and expect to be teleported.
2. Persistent Return Point
The most significant consequence is related to the return trip. As per game mechanics:
- If you enter another functional End Gateway (for instance, one located near an End City) that would have connected back to the gateway you broke, you will still be teleported.
- However, you will arrive at the exact coordinates where the gateway was originally located, even if the bedrock and portal blocks are no longer there.
3. No Regeneration
The broken End Gateway will not reappear or fix itself over time. Once it's gone, it's permanently gone from that specific location on your world save.
Summary of Gateway Behavior
The following table summarizes the key differences in behavior between an intact and a broken End Gateway:
| Feature | Intact End Gateway | Broken End Gateway (Location) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | 1x1 bedrock structure with a void portal | Bedrock blocks removed, void portal disappears |
| Entry Point | Can be entered from its current location to teleport away | Cannot be entered from its original location after being broken |
| Return Point | Other gateways teleport players directly to this intact gateway | Other gateways teleport players to the coordinates where it was, even if blocks are gone |
| Regeneration | N/A (always present until broken) | Does not regenerate |
| Breaking Method | Typically only possible in Creative mode or via exploits | N/A |
Practical Insights and Solutions
While breaking an End Gateway might seem like a minor issue, it can complicate navigation if you rely heavily on specific gateways for return trips.
- Always Carry Ender Pearls: These are invaluable for navigating the End, allowing you to teleport short distances and even escape dangerous situations if you end up in an undesirable location after returning to a broken gateway's spot.
- Mark Coordinates: Jot down the coordinates of crucial End Gateways (and End Cities) using F3 (or the equivalent debug screen). This way, you can easily find your way back, even if a portal is missing.
- Build a Return Path: If you frequently use a specific gateway, consider building a small platform or beacon at its destination to clearly mark the spot, regardless of the gateway's integrity.
- Utilize Other Gateways: Remember that multiple End Gateways exist. If one is broken, you can always seek out another to facilitate travel.
- Elytra and Firework Rockets: Once acquired, an Elytra combined with firework rockets offers the most efficient way to travel long distances in the End, making reliance on End Gateways less critical.
For more information on End Gateways and their mechanics, you can refer to the Minecraft Wiki on End Gateways.
