Minecraft wiki entry for Survival_in_an_infinite_desert, associated text: As noted above you are unable to craft a weapon until you can either find wood planks for a crafting table or more likely locate one at a village. You then need to find cobblestone or, more likely, Ingots or even Diamonds to create weapons. Bear in mind that creating your first pickaxe is hugely more important than creating any weapon or any other tool. Creating a Bucket for Lava is almost as important as a Pickaxe, and arguably even a Hoe is a higher priority than any weapon.