You cannot finish the game without a Nether fortress: blaze rods come from nowhere else, and no rods means no eyes of ender. Bastions are optional but hold the best gold and netherite trades. Both are findable rather than lucky.
How the two generate
Fortresses generate in long bridge-and-corridor complexes that can span biomes, and they are the only place blaze spawners exist. Bastions are large basalt structures that generate in most Nether biomes and come in several distinct layouts.
The two do not generate on top of each other, so a Nether trip usually means two destinations. Planning the route matters because the Nether punishes wandering.
What you actually need from a fortress
- Blaze rods from blaze spawners — the hard requirement for eyes of ender
- Nether wart from the stairwell gardens, for potions
- Wither skeleton skulls, which only drop here
- Bring a bow: blazes are far easier at range, and the bridges make melee a fall risk
Surviving a bastion
Bastions are more dangerous than fortresses because piglins are hostile unless you are wearing gold.
- Wear at least one piece of gold armour and piglins stay neutral — this is the single most important thing
- Do not open chests or mine gold in front of them; both make them hostile regardless of armour
- Treasure rooms are guarded by a magma cube and hold the best loot, including netherite
- Bring blocks and fire resistance — most bastion deaths are lava and knockback, not combat
Planning the trip from your seed
Nether structure placement is deterministic, so you can find the fortress and the nearest bastion before you light the portal, and choose a portal position that puts both within reach.
That is worth real time: the Nether has no landmarks worth navigating by, and a fortress you cannot find is a run that stalls before the End.
FAQ
Do I need a Nether fortress to beat the game?
Yes. Blaze rods only come from blazes, blazes only spawn in fortresses, and you need blaze powder for eyes of ender.
How do I stop piglins attacking me in a bastion?
Wear at least one piece of gold armour. They stay neutral unless you open chests or mine gold in front of them.
Can a fortress and a bastion generate in the same place?
They do not overlap, so expect two separate destinations on a Nether trip.