If you’re not using Minecraft cheats, it can be easy to fall to your death when you’re busy concentrating on a mammoth new build. Thankfully, Minecraft scaffolding exists to massively reduce the risk of building at height. Sure, you can use a Happy Ghast as a transportation method when you’re in the skies, but if that’s not suitable for your needs either, it’s well worth getting your hands on scaffolding. It’s easy to craft, even easier to demolish, and doesn’t require materials that are tricky to get your hands on.
How to craft Minecraft scaffolding
You’ll need six bamboo and one string to craft six scaffolding. Place three bamboo down the left and right sides of the crafting table, and one string in the top-middle slot.
You can find bamboo in trial chamber chests, and you can break it instantly without the need for tools.
How to use Minecraft scaffolding
Hitting scaffolding at the bottom block will cause all scaffolding blocks above it to break in a similar way to bamboo. This makes it easier to make temporary structures, as you can stack countless scaffolding blocks and then just hit the bottom one to dismantle the entire lot. It also makes a very satisfying noise as it dismantles, but that’s beside the point.
Scaffolding is placed differently than any other block in the game, as you can add it a high structure without needing to climb the scaffolding and place more as you go. Just place it on the side of a block on the ground and the scaffolding will grow taller. Add it to the top of a block and it will add the scaffolding to the side, meaning you can create giant structures that go in different directions for freedom of movement. If you sneak and place a scaffolding block, the scaffolding will be added to the side you’re facing. However, this means that if there is not sufficient support below it, it will break and fall to the ground. Scaffolding can be placed up to six blocks away from the main support structure before this happens.
Scaffolding can be moved by pistons, but will probably break. It’s not worth trying to create moving scaffolding when it’s so versatile. While there are many Java vs. Bedrock differences, the only one affecting scaffolding is that you can place scaffolding in lava and it will not ignite in Java edition only. In Bedrock, it will catch fire and be destroyed. Minecraft mobs will never spawn on scaffolding, but be careful of phantoms if you’re spending some time up high.
Now that you’ve created the ultimate structure to assist you in your builds, check out our comprehensive Minecraft guides hub for more tips and tricks.
