Minecraft Java Edition 23w04a Snapshot Details

Minecraft 23w04a is the second snapshot for the Java edition of the game that was released on 24th January 2023. The new update introduces tons of experimental features, smithing templates and bug fixes. Smithing Tables have been redesigned into a workstation for physical equipment upgrades and modifications. Alongside slots for combining a piece of equipment and materials, there is now a required slot for an item type called Smithing Templates. Here is a rundown of all the content updates in the new snapshot.

Minecraft Java Edition 23w04a Snapshot Patch Notes

Snapshot is available for Minecraft: Java Edition. To install the Snapshot, open up the Minecraft Launcher and enable snapshots in the "Installations" tab.

Experimental Features

• Added a new armor trimming system to visually customize your armor

• Added Smithing Template items

• Redesigned the Smithing Table

• Changed how Netherite equipment is crafted

Smithing Templates

• Smithing Tables have been redesigned into a workstation for physical equipment upgrades and modifications

• Alongside slots for combining a piece of equipment and materials, there is now a required slot for an item type called Smithing Templates

• Smithing Templates define what type of upgrade you will be making to equipment

  • It specifies both what type of items you can upgrade, and which ingredients are valid to customize the upgrade

  • There are currently two categories of Smithing Templates: Armor Trim and Netherite Upgrade

• Smithing Templates are consumed when used to upgrade an item in the Smithing Table

• You can craft a copy of a Smithing Template in the Crafting Table with 7 diamonds + 1 block of material that the template is made out of + 1 smithing template, which will output 2 of the same Smithing Template

Netherite Equipment

• Netherite equipment crafting now also requires a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template

• Netherite Upgrade Smithing Templates can be found randomly in all Bastion Remnant chests, and there is a guarantee of 2 in every Treasure Room Bastion Remnant

• This change was made for a variety of reasons:

  • Increase the time players utilize Diamond equipment before Netherite

  • Make Netherite equipment a more significant achievement in the game's progression

  • Adapt Netherite more naturally into the new Smithing Table crafting system

Armor Trims

• You can now visually customize your armor with a variety of unique trims at the Smithing Table

  • All armor is viable for trims except for leather armor

• Armor trims are purely visual with no gameplay benefits, and can only be applied to Helmets, Chestplates, Leggings and Boots

  • All trim patterns are visually the same on an armor's item icon, but the color will still change based on the trim material

  • To check which trim pattern a piece of armor has, you can hover over it in the inventory

To see the full list of smithing templates and experimental items, you can check out the official Minecraft Java Edition 23w04a snapshot changelog here.