How to Make an Armor Stand in Minecraft

Is your prize set of diamond armor sitting sadly in a chest? Do you have an amazing helmet that you want to show off like a museum exhibit? Then you need to learn how to make an armor stand! An Armor stand in Minecraft is the perfect block for transforming your best gear from simple Storage into a spectacular Decoration.

The Armor stand is one of the most important decorative blocks in Minecraft. It is easy to make an armor stand with just Sticks and a Smooth stone slab, and it works identically in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Beyond just equipping armor, you can pose armor stands and even use armor stands in Redstone contraptions for awesome effects. You will quickly find that Armor stands are essential tools for both Survival mode and Creative mode players.

This guide will walk you through the Armor stand recipe step-by-step. We will show you how to get the necessary Smooth stone slab and unlock the secrets to customize armor stands to create amazing Decorative builds. Get ready to bring your best gear out of the chest and into the spotlight!

What Is an Armor Stand in Minecraft?

An Armor stand is a utility block that serves as a mannequin for displaying gear. It is a handy block for organizing and showcasing items in both Survival mode and Creative mode, acting as a permanent fixture for your finest equipment.

Definition and Purpose

The Armor stand definition is a block entity that looks like a wooden human figure. It is not a solid block, meaning it cannot block movement or place other blocks on its sides. The primary purpose of the armor stand is to hold and display weapons, tools, and complete sets of armor for decorative purposes. Once placed, you can interact with it to transfer items to and from its slots.

Why Players Use Armor Stands (Storage, Decoration, Redstone Builds)

Players use the Armor stand for much more than simple storage, making it a favorite among builders and technical players alike. Its static nature makes it perfect for visual Storage and Decoration.

• Decoration: This is the most common use. Armor stands allow you to show off your best sets of equipped armor and create stunning Decorative builds, like placing suits of armor in a trophy room or castle.
• Storage: They offer immediate visual Storage for multiple items, including a helmet, chest plate, leggings, boots, and a held item, making it easier to grab a set of gear quickly.
• Redstone Builds: Armor stands in Redstone are a core part of advanced Redstone contraptions because their position can be manipulated by Pistons, allowing for Animated armor stands and automatic armor swap systems.

Materials Needed to Craft an Armor Stand

To make an armor stand, you will only need two types of simple Materials for an armor stand: Sticks and one Smooth stone slab. These materials for armor stands are accessible early in Survival mode.

Crafting Recipe (Sticks + Smooth Stone Slab)

The Armor stand recipe is a specific pattern in the Crafting table that represents the stand itself. This recipe requires six Sticks for the body and limbs and one Smooth stone slab for the base.

• You need 6 Sticks to form the frame and arms.
• You need 1 Smooth stone slab for the base.

This recipe will yield one Armor stand.

How to Get Smooth Stone Slabs

The Smooth stone slab is the most unique material needed for the Armor stand recipe, but it is obtained through two simple smelting steps.

• Step 1: Smelt Cobblestone in a Furnace to get Smooth Stone.
• Step 2: Smelt the Smooth stone again in a Furnace to get the final Smooth stone slabs.

You can also craft Smooth stone slabs by placing three Smooth stone blocks horizontally in the Crafting table.

Gathering Sticks Efficiently

Sticks are needed in bulk for the Armor stand recipe, as they make up six of the seven slots. You will likely have many Wood planks from collecting wood.

• Sticks are made from wooden planks. You can get Wood planks from any tree in the game.
• To craft Sticks: Place two Wood planks vertically in your Crafting table or Inventory crafting grid. Each crafting session yields four Sticks.
• Gather sticks by rapidly converting your tree logs into planks and then into Sticks for efficient crafting of an armor stand.

Crafting an Armor Stand Step by Step

Crafting an armor stand is done using a 3x3 grid in the Crafting table. The pattern must be precise to yield the Armor stand.

Crafting in Java Edition

To complete Crafting an armor stand in Java Edition, follow this specific arrangement in the Crafting table. The six Sticks form a head, neck, and arms.

• Step 1: Place three Sticks across the top row (the shoulders/top frame).
• Step 2: Place one Stick in the center slot of the middle row (the body).
• Step 3: Place one Stick in the left and one Stick in the right slot of the middle row, leaving the center slot open (the arms).
• Step 4: Place the Smooth stone slab in the center slot of the bottom row (the base).
• Step 5: Collect the Armor stand from the output slot.

Crafting in Bedrock Edition

The pattern for crafting an armor stand in Bedrock Edition is identical to Java Edition, so you do not need to learn a separate recipe.

• You need the same 6 Sticks and 1 Smooth stone slab.
• Use the Crafting table and arrange the Sticks and Smooth stone slab in the same configuration to make an armor stand.

Crafting in Pocket Edition (PE)

Since Pocket Edition is now officially part of Bedrock Edition, you use the same recipe and process as the Bedrock Edition version.

• The crafting of an armor stand process is identical on mobile devices as on consoles or PC Bedrock Edition.
• You must still use a full Crafting table and the Smooth stone slab for the base.

How to Use Armor Stands

Once you have an Armor stand, you can use armor stands for their intended purpose: displaying your gear.

Equipping Armor and Items

Equipping armor on an Armor stand is very straightforward. You can equip a complete set of four pieces of armor.

• Right-click (or use the interaction button) on the Armor stand with a piece of armor in your hand. The armor will be placed in the correct slot, replacing anything already there.
• Equipping armor can be done for helmets, chest plates, leggings, and boots.

Displaying Tools and Weapons

You can also use armor stands to display tools and weapons in the stand’s hand slot.

• Right-click the Armor stand with a sword or tool in your hand to place it in the stand’s hand slot.
• You can display tools like pickaxes or shovels, and display weapons like swords or axes. You can also place a shield in the off-hand slot in Java Edition.

Decorative and Functional Uses in Buildings

The use of armor stands goes beyond simple Storage. They can be incorporated into larger Decorative builds.

• Decorative builds: Armor stands can represent statues, shop mannequins, or guards in your Decorative builds. They can also be manipulated to hold candles or act as fake statues.
• Functional builds: They are sometimes used as part of a complex Redstone contraption, like a hidden wall that opens only when the Armor stand is in a certain pose.

Customizing Armor Stands

To truly make an armor stand unique, you can customize armor stands by changing their position and appearance.

How to Pose Armor Stands (Java vs Bedrock)

Pose armor stands to create more dynamic displays. The number of poses and activation method vary between the Java and Bedrock poses.

• Java Edition: Players can pose armor stands by sneaking and right-clicking the stand. There are 13 different poses you can cycle through, including holding items up or crossing your arms.
• Bedrock Edition: Players can pose armor stands by sneaking and long-pressing (or using the secondary interaction button). There are 18 different poses to choose from, offering slightly more variety.

Adding Arms to Armor Stands

The default Armor stand in Bedrock Edition does not have visible arms, but you can add arms to an armor stand in Java Edition with a special command.

• In Java Edition, you can add arms to an armor stand using a special NBT tag with the /summon command or by using the /data merge command on an existing one. This allows the stand to hold two items.
• Bedrock Edition Armor stands do not show arms unless they are holding an item, which causes a single arm to appear.

Invisible and Small Armor Stand Variants

You can customize armor stands in Creative mode with commands to get special hidden Armor stands. These are very popular for Map art decoration.

• Invisible armor stand: Using the /effect or /data merge Command, you can make the Armor stand invisible, leaving only the Equipping armor floating in the air for a spooky or cool effect.
• Small armor stand: Using a special command parameter in the /summon command, you can summon a smaller version of the Armor stand, perfect for tabletop models or children's costumes.

Advanced Armor Stand Tricks

The Advanced armor stand tricks turn a simple Decoration into a complex animated feature, making the Armor stand a hidden powerhouse in Redstone contraptions.

Using Armor Stands in Redstone Contraptions

Armor stands in Redstone are commonly used as movable elements that can be detected.

• Redstone contraptions often use Pistons to push and pull the Armor stand to different positions, or to make it look like the stand is walking.
• This is necessary for creating complex hidden doors and automatically equipping armor systems.

Making Dancing or Animated Armor Stands

To create Dancing armor stands or Animated armor stands, you use Redstone clocks to change the stand’s pose rapidly.

• Place an Armor stand on a block that is rapidly being powered by a Redstone clock (or a hidden observer pulse).
• The Armor stand will rapidly change pose, making it look like it is dancing or moving. This is often used for Decoration.

Creating Armor Stand Switchers

An Armor stand switcher is an Advanced armor stand trick that uses Pistons to swap one set of armor for another instantly.

• You set up two Armor stands side-by-side, with Redstone logic to push one out of the way and pull the other into place. This allows you to change your displayed armor with the flick of a lever.

Tips for Efficient Armor Stand Usage

Here are a few tips for Efficient armor stand usage in your base to ensure they are safe and look their best.

• Best Placement Practices: Always place Armor stands in well-lit areas to prevent hostile mobs from spawning near them. They are fragile and can be broken easily by mobs. Placing them on decorative blocks enhances their look.
• Combining Armor Stands with Map Art or Decoration: Place Armor stands in front of a Map art decoration or a special wall to make the armor look like it is part of the picture. This is a great way to incorporate Storage into Decoration.

How to Break or Move Armor Stands Safely

Break the armor stand safely by hitting it once with a sword or your hand. This returns the Armor stand and all Equipping items to your inventory. Do not use an explosion, as this can destroy the items. To move the armor stand, simply break it and pick it up.

Conclusion

The Armor stand in Minecraft is much more than just a block for Storage. It is a powerful tool for visual customization and Redstone contraptions. Mastering the Armor stand recipe and the commands to Customize armor stands will greatly enhance your Decorative builds and the overall look of your Minecraft world.

Why Armor Stands Are Useful for Both Survival and Creative Players

Armor stands are useful for Survival mode players who want to organize their precious equipment and for Creative mode players who wish to make dynamic and unique displays. Whether you are creating a simple Decoration for your home or Animated armor stands for a hidden vault, the Armor stand is an essential block for every Minecraft player.