How to Build a Sword Stuck in Stone in Minecraft
Construct an iconic Excalibur-style sword embedded in rock using an armor stand, end rod, diamond sword, and piston mechanics in Minecraft.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Piston
- ✓ Redstone Block or Lever
- ✓ Building Blocks (temporary scaffold)
- ✓ Pickaxe
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Armor Stand
- ✓ Diamond Sword
- ✓ End Rod
- ✓ Stone Slab
- ✓ Cobblestone / Stone Blocks
- ✓ Potion of Invisibility (Splash)
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure you are in a safe, lit area or Creative mode to prevent hostile mob interference.
- • Double-check redstone trigger placement so pistons push blocks without breaking the armor stand.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (5 Steps)
Dig the Base Hole and Position the Armor Stand
Dig a 1-block deep hole where you want the center of the stone to be. Place an armor stand inside the hole facing straight forward. Equip the armor stand with a diamond sword so it holds the blade firmly.
- • Armor stand standing inside a single-block deep hole holding a diamond sword at an angle.
- • Placing the armor stand on flat ground instead of in a sunken hole.
Set Up the Overhead Piston Array
Build a temporary 3-block high scaffold directly adjacent to the hole. Attach a downward-facing piston directly above the armor stand, hovering two blocks above the surface.
- • A piston hovering directly above the armor stand with its wooden face pointing downward.
- • Piston facing sideways or upward instead of directly downward.
Push the Stone Slab onto the Stand
Place a stone slab right beneath the piston, directly above the armor stand's lower body. Activate the piston with a redstone block or lever to push the slab down into the hole.
- • Stone slab pushed flush into the ground around the armor stand with only the hilt and upper blade showing.
- • Using a full solid block instead of a slab on the first push, which can suffocate or displace the armor stand.
Align the End Rod for the Blade Extension
Place an End Rod upside down or pointing upwards directly above the sword handle to create an extended glowing blade or hilt effect. Use a second downward piston push if necessary to seat it precisely against the stone.
- • White end rod aligned vertically with the sword handle, creating a continuous blade line.
- • End rod placed horizontally or misaligned by one block.
Detail the Surrounding Rock Pedestal
Place assorted cobblestone, stone bricks, stairs, and slabs around the base of the embedded sword to create a natural broken boulder look. Add mossy variants or small rocks to give the shrine an ancient appearance.
- • A rugged 3x3 stone mound naturally enclosing the embedded sword blade.
- • Making the stone base perfectly square and flat, looking artificial.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by EYstreem — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Diamond Sword? Iron Sword or Netherite Sword
- No End Rod? Lightning Rod or Iron Bars
- No Redstone Block? Lever or Redstone Torch