Elytra Slot Wiki

The elytra and a chestplate normally compete for the same chest armor slot, so wearing wings means giving up the protection of body armor. This guide covers a feature that solves that problem: a dedicated elytra slot.

The dedicated slot is a separate equipment slot that holds only an elytra. With it you can wear a full chestplate for protection and keep an elytra equipped at the same time, then glide exactly as you normally would. Nothing about flight changes - the only difference is that your chest armor slot is freed up for actual armor.

A new slot appears in your inventory screen, next to your existing armor and equipment slots. This slot accepts only an elytra; ordinary armor, tools, and other items cannot be placed in it.

When an elytra sits in this slot, the game treats it as a worn elytra:

• it deploys when you jump off a height and start gliding,
• it takes durability while you glide, just like a normally-worn elytra,
• it stops working (and you fall) when its durability runs out,
• your chest armor slot is completely independent, so a chestplate there gives full protection at all times.

There is no key to press and no toggle to learn - if an elytra is in the slot, you can glide; if it is not, you cannot.

1. Open your inventory.
2. Locate the elytra slot beside your armor slots.
3. Place an elytra into that slot (drag-and-drop, or use the quick-equip action the same way you would for armor).
4. Put a chestplate in your normal chest armor slot for protection.

You now have armor and wings equipped together. To glide, jump from a high point and hold jump as usual; to stop using the wings, simply remove the elytra from the slot.

Gliding behaves exactly as it does with a normally-worn elytra:

• Start by jumping off a ledge or while falling, then pressing jump to begin gliding.
• Steer by looking around - pitch down to gain speed, level out to extend your glide.
• Boost with a firework rocket for sustained, powered flight.
• Land by gliding low and touching the ground, or by simply stopping.

Because your chest slot now holds real armor, you keep your defensive stats throughout the entire flight.

An elytra in the dedicated slot wears down while gliding, the same way a worn elytra does. Watch its durability bar and repair it before it breaks.

Ways to repair an elytra:

• Anvil + phantom membrane - combine the elytra with phantom membranes on an anvil to restore durability.
• Mending - an elytra with the Mending enchantment repairs itself as you collect experience while it is equipped.
• Grindstone / crafting combine - combining two damaged elytra restores durability (but removes enchantments).

If an elytra runs out of durability mid-flight you will stop gliding and fall, so keep a repaired backup or use Mending for long trips.

• Always carry armor now. Since the chest slot is free, equip a strong chestplate - you no longer trade protection for flight.
• Enchant the elytra with Mending and Unbreaking so it lasts through long gliding sessions without constant anvil repairs.
• Keep firework rockets on your hotbar for powered flight and quick altitude gains.
• Carry a spare elytra for very long expeditions in case one wears out far from base.
• Combine with elytra-friendly armor enchantments (such as Protection on the chestplate) for a build that is both armored and highly mobile.

Can I wear a chestplate and an elytra at the same time? Yes - that is the whole point of the dedicated slot. The elytra goes in its own slot and the chestplate stays in the chest armor slot.

Does the elytra still need durability and repairs? Yes. It wears down while gliding and is repaired the normal ways (anvil with phantom membrane, Mending, or combining two elytra).

Do I press a key to fly? No. As long as an elytra is in the slot, you glide the normal way - jump off a height and use the jump input.

What happens if the elytra breaks while flying? You stop gliding and fall, exactly as with a normally-worn elytra. Repair it or carry a spare.

Can I put something other than an elytra in the slot? No. The slot only accepts an elytra.