Help CenterMinecraft is host to a plethera of entities known as "Mobs", which are essentially the NPCs of the game. Minecraft hosts 75 mobs in total, and come in 3 main categories: Passive, Neutral, and Hostile. We'll go over them all below!
Passive Mobs
Passive mobs are mobs that, regardless of what you do to them, will never attack you. Most mobs that drop food will be under this category.
Cow
Supplier of Leather, Steak and Milk, Cows typically spawn in grassy biomes, and can be led and bred using wheat. Right clicking a cow with a bucket will milk them, giving you a bucket full of milk!
Mooshroom
A variant of the cow, Mooshrooms spawn in the Mushroom Fields biome. Like Cows, Mooshroom can be killed for Steak and Leather, and milked with a bucket for milk. However, Mooshrooms can also be milked with a bowl for Mushroom Stew, and sheared with Shears to get Mushrooms of the same type as on their back.
Sheep
Sheep are also Grassland creatures, and typically can be found eating grass at random in the wild. Sheep can be sheared with Shears to obtain a decent amount of Wool, or killed for Wool and Mutton. They can be bred with Wheat.
Pig
Yet another Grassland mob, Pigs are the source of Porkchop. However, they can also be given a saddle for transport. You'll have to craft a carrot on a stick in order to steer them, though! Additionally, you can breed pigs using beetroots, potatoes, or carrots.
Chicken
The Chicken is another grassland roamer. With a measly four hearts, they are rather easy to kill to obtain their Feathers and Raw Chicken. You can breed them using Wheat Seeds. No matter what you do, Chickens cannot take fall damage, and will instead flutter to the ground from whatever height you throw them.
Villager / Wandering Trader
Villagers (and by extension, Wandering Traders), are typically found in villages, assigned to certain types of jobs. You are able to trade with Villagers, who will offer various items depending on their jobs. Wandering Traders share the trading mechanic, but typically sell a random assortment of items, rather than items specific to a job. Villagers can get jobs from blocks such as a fletching table, a brewing stand, a lectern, and other similar items. Wandering Traders will spawn with Llamas in tow.
Cats
Cats, found in Villages and Swamp Huts, are one of the tamable creatures within Minecraft. Cats can be tamed by approaching one while crouching with cod, salmon, or a tropical fish in your hand. When they begin approaching, stop moving and allow them to come to you. When they are close, right click them to feed them the fish in your hand, and you'll eventually tame it! Cats, tamed or not, will scare off Creepers and Phantoms. Tamed cats will commonly sit on burning furnaces, beds or chests. Cats sitting on a chest will prevent the chest from being opened. If you do not force a cat to sit and sleep through the night, the cat may bring you a gift as well!
Ocelot
A wildcat that spawns in Jungle biomes, they function similarly to cats, but are not tamable. However, you can still cause an Ocelot to "trust" you instead by following the same proceedure of taming cats, which will cause it to both not flee from you and prevent it from despawning.
Horses
Horses are an excellent mode of transportation, spawning in Plains and Savannahs. Horses can be tamed by right clicking them with an empty hand and attempting to ride them. This will likely take multiple attempts as it kicks you off of it. When you see the hearts appear, you've successfully tamed the horse! Tamed horses may be equipped with Saddles to control the horse while riding and Horse Armor to protect it from would-be assailants. Horses can be bred using Golden Apples or Golden Carrots. It can also be fed Sugar, Wheat, Apples, or Hay Bales to heal the Horse. Feeding an untamed horse will make it easier to tame them, though keep in mind that Hay Bales do not work on untamed horses.
Skeleton Horse
Similar to Horses, but cannot eat. Skeleton Horses can be spawned by natural lightning strikes. Skeleton Horses can be considered "trapped" as well upon spawn, so be careful when approaching, or else you may be ambushed by another lightning strike followed by a swarm of Skeletons with enchanted gear riding on top of them! Drops Bones on death.
Donkey
Donkeys are another subset of Horses that spawn in Plains and Savannah biomes. They function similarly, but cannot be equipped with Horse Armor. Instead, they can be equipped with a Chest to store items. Useful if you're travelling!
Mule
Mules are the result of breeding a Horse with a Donkey. They take most of their interactions from the Donkey, being unable to equip armor, but can equip chests instead. Unlike Horses and Donkeys, Mules are infertile and cannot breed at all.
Camel
Camels are mobs found within Deserts. Unlike Horses and its subtypes, Camels do not require taming to ride. Just slap a saddle on one and you can take it anywhere you want! Camels are extremely tall, and can easily step over low obstructions, such as this fence I tried to put them in. Additionally, you're high enough that hostile melee mobs, such as zombies, cannot hit you when riding. You can breed and heal Camels using Cacti.
Armadillo
Finding their home in Savannahs and Badlands, Armadillos are the source of Armadillo Scutes, which are the base ingrediant for making Wolf Armor. Armadillos do not do anything particular when idle, but will startle and roll into a ball to protect itself if it encounters and undead entity, or when the player mounts or sprints nearby. Armadillos can be bred using Spider Eyes, or brushed with a Brush in order to obtain a scute. Scutes also passively fall off Armadillos.
Snow Golem
The Snow Golem is a constructable mob made by placing two Snow Blocks on top of each other, then topping it with a Pumpkin Head. The resulting mob is a passive mob that will attack hostile entities with snowballs that, while they do no damage (excluding to Blazes and Wolves), are capable of knocking creatures back momentarily. Snow Golems can be useful in creating a small amount of distance or being a distraction to other entities, if you've set them up in your base. Snow Golems will be damaged and/or killed when exposed to water, rain, or high temperature enviroments such as Deserts, Savannahs, or the Nether.
Parrot
Finding its home in the Jungles, Parrots are tamable mobs that can imitate various sounds. They come in 5 colors: Yellow, Red, Grey, Cyan, and Green. Parrots can be tamed using most types of seeds, and will typically try to follow you around like any other tamed mod. As an added bonus, Parrots will also try perching on your shoulder from time to time. Do not feed a Parrot a Cookie, as doing so will result in its demise.
Tadpole/Frog
Frogs are an entity that only spawns inside of Swamps, but can produce child mobs that grow into one of three variants depending on which biome a Tadpole reaches adulthood in. Frogs typically roam aimlessly and hunt small slimes. Frogs can be bred using Slimeballs, which will produce a Frogspawn, which eventually hatches into a Tadpole. You may collect the Tadpole in a bucket. When the Tadpole reaches adulthood, it will turn into a Warm, Temperate, or Cold Frog.
Fun Fact: The Frog, according to the Minecraft Wiki, had a bug during its development in Bedrock Edition where it could eat Goats.
Bat
The Bat is a creature that is most commonly located in dark caves. They do not attack the player, nor do they drop experience points or items upon death. Bats will hang from cave ceilings while there is nothing to disturb them, or flying around at random when the player or other entities are near.
According to the Minecraft Wiki, Bats spawn more often between October 23rd and November 3rd on Java edition to celebrate Halloween.
Allay
Allays are a natural spawning mob within Pillager Outposts and Woodland Mansions. They will wander around aimlessly under normal circumstances. However, if you approach an allay and give it an item by right-clicking it, it will begin following you, as well as gathering items of the same type of what you have given it. Allays have an extreme amount of self-regeneration, meaning that it can take some effort to kill, despite being harmless. Allays can be bred by playing music in a jukebox while one is near, then giving it an amethyst shard. Unlike other mobs, you do not need a second Allay in order for this process to complete.
Strider
The Strider, its home being in the Nether, is a ridable mob that can be very useful for transport through the dangerous lava seas below. Striders do nothing on their own, but can be equipped with a Saddle to be mountable. You may then use a Warped Fungus on a Stick in order to cause the Strider to constantly move foward, steering in the direction you're looking. They can be bred using Warped Fungus, and killed for String. Striders have a chance to spawn with a Zombified Piglin with a Saddle already upon it. Killing the Zombified Piglin grants you a free ride, just don't fall in the lava without protection!
Striders are considerably slower on land than in lava, and are hurt by water.
Happy Ghast
The Happy Ghast, a variant of the original Ghast, is a passive mob born through the hydration of a Dried Ghast block that can be found around the Nether's Soul Sand Valleys, or crafted using 8 Ghast Tears around a Soul Sand block. Regardless of how you obtain it, placing the Dried Ghast into water will begin to hydrate it. Approximately 20 minutes later, the Dried Ghast will turn into a Happy Ghast, which can be ridden using a Harness.
Fish (Cod/Salmon/Tropical)
The average fish of the game, these fish spawn in nearly all biomes with water. The only difference between each is their appearance and which biome they spawn in. Typically, Salmon spawn in cold water, Tropical Fish in warm water, and Cod in both.
Pufferfish
While these creatures are indeed passive, and quite small, do not let them fool you. Pufferfish are found only within lukewarm and warm oceans, but also carry a surprise. When approached by a non-aquatic mob, such as a player, or an axolotl, the pufferfish will inflate. If you or a mob runs into the pufferfish despite this clear warning, it will deal damage and poison you for around 5 seconds. It is the only Passive mob capable of dealing damage to you. The food item you gain from killing this mob, aptly named Pufferfish, can be used with an Awkward Potion to make a potion of Water Breathing.
Squid/Glowsquid
Squids are another aquatic creature, both spawning in sources of water. Normal Squids can spawn in rivers and oceans between Y-levels 50 and 63, whereas glowsquids will only spawn in caves lower than Y-level 30. Squids drop Ink Sacs on death, while Glowsquids drop Glow Ink Sacs.
Turtle
The Turtle (or Sea Turtle in Bedrock) spawns in Beach biomes, and is a necessary entity for crafting Turtle Shells. Turtles are bred using Seagrass, and once bred, the turtle with the egg will return to its spawn point to lay an egg. This egg will eventually hatch into a baby turtle. When the baby turtle becomes fully grown, it will drop a scute. It takes 5 scutes to make a Turtle Shell, which can be used either as armor or as an ingredient for the Turtle Master potion!
Axolotl
An inhabitant of Lush Caves, Axolotls come in 5 different color variants: Gold, Cyan, Blue, Wild (Brown), and Leucistic (Pink). Axolotls are passive to the player, but will hunt other aquatic entities without mercy, and will give the Regeneration status effect if the player assists with attacking an entity it is attacking. You can breed Axolotl by feeding it Tropical Fish in a Bucket. You can also place Axolotl in buckets for transport, and when you place it back in the world, it will never despawn. Be sure to keep water nearby your new Axolotl friends, or else it will die from suffocation.
Sniffer
Sniffers do not spawn naturally, instead spawning from Sniffer Eggs, which can be gathered from brushing Suspicious Sand in Warm Ocean Ruins. The resulting egg will then hatch, producing a Snifflet, which will eventually grow into a Sniffer. Eggs hatch faster on Moss Blocks, so be sure to have one around if you're planning on breeding these creatures, which can be done by feeding the Sniffer Torchflower Seeds, which can be dug up by roaming Sniffers.
Neutral Mobs
Neutral mobs are generally creatures that will not attack or attempt to harm the player unless the player has harmed it first.
Bee
Beehives their home, Honey their specialty, Bees are spawned from Beehives that sometimes generate on trees within most Overworld biomes with trees. Bees polinate flowers and generate honeycombs and honey to be harvested from it's beehive, making it an extremely useful mob to set up near farms. Take caution, though, as Bees can be angered from improper harvesting or attacking one. An agressive bee will sting you, giving you poison and causing it to die shortly afterwards. If a bee is angered, all bees nearby are also angered. Be sure to have some type of protection when dealing with Bees, or you may end up a porcupine.
Llama
Llamas, both pack animals of Wandering Traders or naturally found within Savannahs and Windswept locations, are mobs that can be used as a way to haul items from location to another due to their capabilities of being equipped with chests. To do so, you must first tame a Llama by repeatedly mounting it, similar to a horse. Once tamed, shift-right click it to open its inventory. Llamas cannot accept a saddle, but automatically form caravans of up to 10 Llamas (itself included) after being leashed with a Lead. This means that under the right conditions, you can have 10 Llamas, each with their own chests, following you to your new destination.
Be careful though, Llamas are angered upon being attacked, and will spit at you for doing so. It doesn't deal much damage, but a mob of angered Llamas are still not fun to deal with.
Iron Golem
Iron Golems, which can either be created by the player by placing 4 Iron Blocks in a T pattern, then placing a Pumpkin Head on top, or found naturally protecting Villages, are stout defenders that are capable of dealing massive damage to mobs through their powerful attack that will launch mobs airborn, dealing additional fall damage upon landing. Iron Golems the player creates are Passive, and will not attack you. Iron Golems found naturally do not subscribe to such mercy, and will neutralize you if you attempt to damage them or the villagers they protect. They drop Iron upon dying, so if you're passing through and feel somewhat evil, you can kill one or two for a free kickstart on iron production.
Wolf
Wolves, found in forested areas, are neutral entities with a profound hatred against Sheep, Rabbits, Skeletons, and more, attacking offending entities on sight. Despite this, they are neutral to players until provoked through an attack, after which all nearby wolves will begin attacking the assailant until the player gets away or dies. Wolves can be tamed using bones, healed and bred using any type of meat, given Wolf Armor, and have their collars' color changed by using a dye. A tamed Wolf will automatically attack entities the player attacks, with few exceptions.
Goat
Goats, found within Snowy/Frozen Peaks and Snowy Slopes, are mobs that tend to roam around aimlessly. However, do not mistake this for them simply being passive. Goats will, at random, attempt to "ram" random entities that are not moving, causing a minor amount of damage and knocking them back considerably. Keep your guard up around them, as they may not be outright hostile, but they can and likely will cause an unfortunate plummet if you're standing near an edge. Goats can be milked with a bucket to gain milk, much like cows. Goats who ram into a solid, naturally generated object like stone will drop one of their horns for collection.
Dolphin
Dolphins, finding their home in Oceans except for Frozen ones, are the gifters of Dolphin's Grace when swimming amongst them, and can also assist in locating chests within underwater structures by feeding them raw cod or salmon. They also chase dropped items to "play" with. All nearby Dolphins, like wolves, will become angered if you attack them, so try to avoid doing so unless you have good reason to.
Panda
Pandas are inhabitants of Jungles, and come in seven variants: Normal, Brown, Weak, Worried, Lazy, Playful, and Aggressive. Each variant falls under Neutral, though apart from Aggressive Pandas, they will only attack you once in retalliation before returning to normal behavior. Aggressive Pandas will remain hostile against you and other mobs within its detection radius until there is no remaining targets, either by distance or death. They also become aggro'd if you attack another Panda with it nearby. Pandas can be bred using Bamboo while there are Bamboo blocks nearby, and the resulting child will have genes selected based on the parent.
Polar Bear
Spawning in ice biomes, Polar bears roam aimlessly amongst the ice and snow of their home biomes. However, think twice about approaching a Polar Bear in possession of a child. Polar Bears with a Cub will attack players for encroaching near them. They swim just as fast as you, so you'll have to get away from them on land to prevent a gruesome demise. Attacking or encroaching makes Polar Bears near the attacked/encroached Polar Bear hostile as well.
Zombified Piglin (previously Zombie Pigman)
The Zombified Piglin, also known as a Zombie Pigmen from older versions of Minecraft, are typically found scattered about in the Nether or in the Overworld near Nether Portals. They can also be created when lightning strikes a pig, Regardless of how they spawn, Zombified Piglins always start as neutral mobs equipped with a Golden Sword. They will attack as a group if provoked, and spawn in decent numbers. Think twice and watch where you're attacking if you don't want to be swarmed. They have a chance to drop their swords upon death, alongside Gold Ingots and/or Nuggets and Rotten Flesh.
Enderman
Endermen are the only mob currently in Minecraft that can naturally spawn in the Overworld, Nether, and End dimensions. They typically are found roaming aimlessly, collecting blocks and teleporting at random. Endermen cannot be damaged by projectiles, as they will simply teleport out of the way. This excludes Water Splash Potions, which will deal damage before they teleport. Attacking an Enderman or looking into it's eyes will cause it to become hostile, after which it will hunt you down relentlessly until killed or forced to retreat by rain or fire. Endermen are deadly if unprepared, but drop Ender Pearls upon their death.
Hostile Mobs
Hostile Mobs, as you can gather from the name, are mobs that will attack players upon detection. Hostile mobs are typically found during the night, and can deal significant damage to you. It's wise to always be prepared for an encounter with hostile mobs, either through armor, weapons, or both.
Zombie
Zombies, and by extension Zombie Villagers, are very common mobs that spawn in all biomes within the Overworld. They typically spawn and attack in groups, and being dedicated melee combatants, will attempt to swarm you. They deal considerable damage, so try keeping distance from them when you run across one. All Zombie types can spawn equipped with a Sword, Shovel, and/or a set of Armor. Additionally, they may also spawn as a Baby variant, a more agile version that may also spawn mounted on a Chicken for a further boost in speed. These are known as Chicken Jockeys.
Zombies attacking Villagers will create a Zombie Villager upon killing one. Zombie Villagers act very similar to normal Zombies, but can be cured. To cure a Zombie Villager, inflict it with Weakness by any means, then feed it a Golden Apple. If successful, it will begin to jitter, and will be given the Strength status effect. This will make the Zombie Villager a greater threat while being cured, so only do this if you have it contained in a safe area.
Regardless of type, Zombies will burn in the daylight. Upon death, Zombies will drop Rotten Flesh, as well as a chance to drop an Iron Ingot, Potato, or Carrot.
Husk
A variant of Zombies, Husks function similarly to a normal Zombie. However, they do not burn in the Daylight, and will inflict Hunger upon a successful attack on the player. Daytime will not save you from these mobs, you'll have to run or kill them in order to stave them off.
Drowned
Drowned, another Zombie variant, are Zombies that have either drowned, or spawned naturally within Oceans, Rivers, and some Caves. They can sometimes spawn with Tridents, making them a hybrid melee/ranged mob. Drowned with Tridents hit extremely hard, and should be challenged only with caution and preparation. If equipped with one, they may drop their Trident upon death, and are the only source of the item.
Skeleton
A dedicated ranged unit commonly found within the Overworld, but also within the Nether's Soul Sand Valleys and Fortresses, Skeletons are bow-wielding mobs that will attack you from afar by raining arrows on your head without mercy. A single Skeleton may not pose much of a threat, but in groups, they will saturate you with volleys of projectiles.
Skeletons, like zombies, have a chance to spawn with Armor or an Enchanted Bow. Additionally, they may spawn mounted upon a Spider, making an effective melee/ranged fighter if not dealt with. Skeletons can also spawn on Skeleton Horses.
Skeletons tend to cause friendly-fire on other mobs often, making them subject to infighting between themselves and other hostile or neutral mobs. If you have multiple mobs chasing you with a skeleton in the back, put them between you and the skeleton and hope the arrows hit them instead. This will draw that mob's aggression back to the Skeleton.
Skeletons are also naturally fearful of Wolves. Having even one with you will make rushing Skeletons down much easier, as it will attempt to run away from the Wolf, leaving it's back open for a free stabbing.
They may drop bones, arrows, and sometimes bows upon death. If the Skeleton's bow was enchanted, the bow it drops will have that enchantment.
Bogged
Skeletons, but Swamp flavored. Bogged will spawn in Swamps, and are equipped with poison-tipped arrows. They will drop these poisoned arrows on death, so it's worthwhile to hunt them down when spotted, if you're looking for some free extra damage for combat and you can handle them.
Stray
Another Skeleton variant, Strays spawn in Icy biomes and have Slowness-tipped arrows. They'll drop their special arrows on death, but otherwise function similar to a normal Skeleton.
Spider
Spiders are another common Overworld spawn, able to climb walls and are unaffected by Cobwebs. These 8-legged creatures are somewhat quick, and will jump at you as part of their attacks. On Java Edition, Spiders may spawn with the Speed, Strength, Invisibility, or Regeneration status effect on Hard difficulty, which will remain until their death.
Ranged weaponry is the easiest way to deal with Spiders, considering their low health. They drop Spider Eyes and String upon death.
Cave Spider
While they do not spawn naturally, instead spawning through Spawners within Mineshafts, the Cave Spider acts similarly to the normal Spider. Their attacks inflict poison, and are also smaller, making them somewhat more difficult to hit. Unlike normal spiders, they will never spawn with status effects, regardless of difficulty. Cave Spiders are significantly more deadly than normal spiders due to their poison, which cares not for your armor. Bring extra food, potions, or even milk when diving into Mineshafts, it may save you from being whittled down by these small menaces.
Creeper
If you recognise this face, chances are you know what this creature is already. For the uninitiated, the Creeper is another common Overworld spawn. It is completely silent until it gets close to a player, before making a hissing sound and exploding. Creepers are destructive, and only get more destructive when supercharged by lightning (denoted by the blue aura surrounding it following a lightning strike). They are terrified by Cats and Ocelots, so keeping one as a pet is a good idea.
Creepers deal a ton of damage, both to your health and to the objects around it. You have mere seconds to react to the hiss of a creeper before it, and everything around, goes boom. This explosion cares not for friend or foe, all mobs around it will take damage. Use this to your advantage in clustered groups of hostile mobs, as the resulting explosion may damage or kill those chasing you.
Creepers require diligence to detect, so constantly pay attention to your surroundings. The safest way to kill a creeper is using a bow, though you can also use hit and run tactics to prevent it from exploding in your face if you have to engage it using melee weapons. Additionally, if you're in an area you don't particularly care about damaging, you can use Flint and Steel on the Creeper to force it to explode.
Upon being slain without exploding, the Creeper drops Gunpowder. Mobs killed by an exploding Charged Creeper will drop their heads, if it has one to drop.
Any type of Armor, even just a Leather Chestplate, may be the difference between life or death if a creeper sneaks up on you. If you know you're going to be exploring during the night, be sure to have some protection. If not for any other mob, protect yourself from this one.
Slime
The Slime is a mob that can spawn in Swamps, as well as some other specific areas within the Overworld. Slimes can also be spawned by killing an entity with the Oozing status effect. They come in 3 different sizes: Big, Medium, and Small, each with their own unique stats. Excluding small Slimes, they will split into a smaller size when slain. Small slimes do not split, and are killed for good when they die. Small slimes drop slimeballs when slain.
Silverfish
Found in Infested Stone, Silverfish are an annoying pest that rely on ambushing you in numbers. Attacking one will result in nearby Silverfish to spring forth from their Infested Stone and join in the attack. These joining Silverfish will cause more to appear if they are struck near more Infested Stone, meaning they will likely appear in hordes. A Sweeping Edge Sword is recommended for dealing with the onslaught. Silverfish drop no items upon death.
The Infested status effect gives damaged creatures a chance to spawn Silverfish when damaged.
Witch
Witches, found scattered throughout the Overworld or within Witch Huts, are Alchemists with a hatred for you in particular. Witches will drink beneficial potions, such as Instant Health or Swiftness, to give themselves an edge in combat. They will also throw splash potions, such as Harming or Poison, to debuff and harm you. Their attacks are slow, but effective, and if not dealt with swiftly, they can do a number on you. They're also present in Illiger Raids.
Wizards drop various potion-related items on death, such as Sugar, Bottles, or Redstone Dust.
Pillager
Part of the "Illager" group of mobs, Pillagers are enemies that typically spawn in groups as part of random Patrols around the Overworld, as inhabitants of Outposts, or as part of Raids. Pillagers in particular wield Crossbows, and can attack from afar much akin to a Skeleton. Pillagers may spawn as a Captain, who will wield an Ominous Banner. Killing a Captain will drop a Bad Omen Potion. Upon drinking, it will grant the Bad Omen status effect for five in-game days, which will start a Raid the next time the affected player enters a Village. It can be cleared with Milk.
Like all Illager mobs, they will attack Villagers and their Iron Golems, even if not a part of a Raid.
Pillager's Crossbows in Java Edition may break if you survive long enough to run down its durability. The result is a Pillager with no ability to harm you, and it will instead stare at you angrily.
Vindicator
Vindicators, another Illager subtype, are found in Woodland Mansions and within Illager Raids. They wield Axes and charge players with ruthless intent, dealing considerable damage upon a successful hit. They can move quite fast, and should be dealt with swiftly.
Like the rest of Illager types, it will attack Villagers and their Golems.
Evoker
A Spellcasting Illager, Evokers can be found as part of Raids and within Woodland Mansions. They can summon Fangs that pierce Armor, or Vexes (More info below). Evokers are the sole source of Totems of Undying, making them a prime target if you spot one. Killing it may not be easy, but the reward is worth it.
Ravager
While not directly an Illager-type mob, Ravagers only spawn within Illager Raids. Ravagers have a ton of HP, and are designed to be the tanks of Minecraft. They deal considerable melee damage, and can knock back entities with a Roar attack. It's recommended to have something heavy hitting to deal with Ravagers swiftly.
Vex
The Vex is a mob only summoned by the effect of the Evoker. Vexes have no collision, and can clip through terrain and other obstacles. They wield an Iron Sword, and can deal considerable damage to Villagers, Golems, and Players alike. They should be dealt with swiftly, as they are difficult to engage due to their phantasmal nature.
Phantom
Phantoms are mobs that appear when the Player hasn't slept in a prolonged period of time. They circle above players, dive bombing them for a melee attack before ascending back to the skies. Phantoms are most vulnerable during their dive, so use this as your opportunity to slay it. Phantoms drop Phantom Membranes on death, which can be used for Slow Falling potions or Elytra repair.
They can be disabled completely by setting the doInsomnia gamerule to false.
Creaking
Inhabitants of the Pale Garden, the Creaking is an ambush predator disguised as a tree. Their bright yellow eyes are one of the few warning signs that the presumed plant isn't what you were lead to believe. Creaking cannot be killed through normal means, and instead must be slain by breaking their Heart. Breaking the heart kills the Creaking instantly after a short delay. For more information, check our guide here.
Guardian
Guardians are essentially angrier Pufferfish, spawning only within Ocean Monuments. Guardians have two methods of dealing damage: A laser that locks on to a player and, after a short charge, deals damage at range, as well as their spikes that deal damage to anything that hits it, similar to the Thorns enchantment. The Guardian's laser has a limited range and cannot lock on to you through solid blocks, so flee and find cover when it begins locking on to you to avoid damage. The spikes will only harm you if extended, which can only occur while they are standing still. Use their own movement against them and move in while they're vulnerable for best effect.
Guardians drop Prismarine Crystals and Shards upon death, as well as Raw Fish.
Elder Guardian
The Elder Guardian is essentially a mini-boss variant of the normal Guardian, but also applies Mining Fatigue III to those venturing near their Ocean Monuments. You'll know when this happens, as the Elder Guardian's face will flash on your screen. The fatigue will last for approximately 5 minutes, so be sure to either carry extra Milk when venturing to Monuments, or bring Water Breathing potions to not drown while mining. If you're patient, that is.
In addition to normal drops from Guardians, the Elder Guardian will drop a Wet Sponge, and may drop a Tide Armor Trim Template.
Breeze
The Breeze, summoned only by Trial Spawners within Trial Chambers, are wind-based ranged creatures capable of flinging entities around like ragdolls. Their weapon is the Wind-Charge, a small blast of air that explodes on contact with the player. While it doesn't deal much damage, it will knock you around like a brick in a washing machine, especially if there are many Breezes nearby. You can knock the charges back at the Breeze, but keep in mind that they are immune to fall damage, making it rather ineffective. Breezes are also immune to projectiles. You'll have to close the distance in order to slay them.
Breezes drop Breeze Rods upon death, which can be used to craft Wind Charges and Maces.
Piglin
Piglins, naturally found within the Nether, are a common enemy you'll encounter during your trips through the wastelands below. While techinically they are considered neutral, Piglins will automatically engage players if they are not wearing at least one Golden piece of armor. This can be any type of armor, as long as it's Gold. Piglins will spawn with either a Golden Sword or Crossbow, meaning they can be either Ranged or Melee combatants. Plan accordingly.
Additionally, Piglins will also become aggressive if you open chests within their line of sight, attack them first, or break Gold-related blocks near them. In all except attacking them, you are able to distract them by tossing a Golden item in their direction. This will help you to gain distance and hopefully cease their hunt against you.
Piglins may be bartered with by tossing Gold Ingots at them. They will pick up the Ingot, then trade a random item back with you shortly afterwards. This can be useful to get certain necessities in a pinch.
Piglins drop any items they've picked up during their time alive, as well as having a chance to drop their Swords, Crossbows, and Armor.
Piglin Brute
Piglin Brutes are axe-wielding Nether-dwellers that care not for your gold, nor your life. They spawn only within Bastions, will attack you on sight, and deal a large amount of melee damage. It is most effective to stand clear of them, if possible. Otherwise, keep your distance for the safest kill. They may drop their axe on death.
Hoglin
Hoglins, finding their homes in Crimson Forests and Bastions, are hostile entities that attempt to charge you with their tusks, knocking you into the air and dealing a decent amount of damage. They can be repelled using Warped Fungi, and will not approach Nether Portals.
Strangely, you can breed Hoglins using Crimson Fungi.
Hoglins drop Porkchop and Leather upon death.
Zoglin
Zoglins are a carbon copy of Hoglins, but only spawn from Hoglins entering the Overworld for more than 15 seconds, transforming the Hoglin into a Zoglin. They drop Rotten Flesh in place of Porkchop upon death.
Wither Skeleton
Wither Skeletons inhabit Nether Fortresses, and are armed with Stone Swords. Don't let this decieve you, as their attacks inflict Wither, a fatal type of Poison that will whittle your health away over time. Unchecked, you can and likely will die to these mobs if proper precautions are not taken.
Wither Skeletons are the sole source of Wither Skeleton Skulls, rarely dropping one per Skeleton. You'll need 3 of them in order to create the Wither, an essential boss in order to obtain Nether Stars, and by extension, craft Beacons. They also drop Coal, Bones, and sometimes their Swords.
Blaze
Blazes are an essential mob for obtaining Blaze Rods for the creation of Eyes of Ender, Brewing Stands, and Blaze Powder. They spawn in Nether Fortresses, both randomly and from Blaze Spawners. Upon detection of the player, they'll spit Fire Charges at you, igniting surfaces that they come into contact with, including you. Blazes are an extreme fire hazard, so be sure you're not standing in front of a burnable structure unless you plan on it becoming ashes. They also have a Melee attack for if you come too close.
Blazes are vulnerable to Water, and by extension, Snowballs. If you're looking for a cheap alternative to Arrows and are hunting Blazes, bring a couple stacks with you. It's not as effective, but will get the job done and spare you some arrows for the future.
Magma Cube
Magma Cubes, similar to Slimes in many regards, are typically found in Fortresses, Bastions, and Nether Wastes. Much like Slimes, they'll split from their bigger counterparts with each death into smaller variants, dying permanently upon reaching Small. However, Small Magma Cubes can still inflict damage, so do not count them out until it's gone for good. They are immune to Fire damage and float on Lava.
Large and Medium Magma Cubes may drop Magma Cream on death, an essential ingrediant for Fire Resistance Potions.
Ghast
Much unhappier than the Happy Ghast, normal Ghasts are flying hostile mobs found within Wastes, Deltas, and Valleys. They are a dangerous Ranged unit, as they shoot explosive fireballs at detected players, their screeching an early warning for an incoming blast.
Fireballs are devastating to terrain, and will destroy most types. It will also ignite random blocks, creating an additional fire hazard. Additionally, the explosion may break Nether Portals, leaving you stranded if you haven't brought an extra Flint and Steel with you. You can attempt to have the Ghast hit the portal again to reignite the portal, if you're desperate.
Fireballs shot by Ghasts can be deflected by hitting it just before impact. This will send the Fireball back in the direction you hit it in, which can be weaponized to hit the assaulting Ghast, or to redirect the attack against other ground-based threats around you. A deflected Fireball will instantly kill the Ghast upon a direct hit. You can also deflect Fireballs with Arrows, if you don't trust your fists to do the job.
If deflection is off the table, Arrows are your next best option. Ghasts rarely get close enough to hit with Melee weapons, and do not have much health. A few arrows are typically plenty to vanquish a Ghast.
Upon death, Ghasts have a chance to drop Ghast Tears (which can be used for Regeneration Potions) and Gunpowder. If you successfully deflect a Fireball and kill a Ghast with it, you may even get a Music Disk labelled "Tears".
Endermite
Endermites technically do not call any biome or dimension their home, rather they spawn from the usage of Ender Pearls. Each Ender Pearl you throw has a chance to spawn an Endermite where you originally were.
Endermite attack players upon detection, but are also attacked relentlessly by Endermen that detect them. They can be a somewhat useful distraction within the End, but don't count too much on them, as they are not reliably spawned, nor do they have much health to begin with.
Skulker
Found within the End Cities after defeating the Ender Dragon (or perhaps you painstakingly built your way to one before killing it, it doesn't matter after all), Skulkers are disguised as blocks within the structures of the End Cities. They'll occasionally poke their heads out of their shells, and if they see you, they'll try shooting you with a Skulker Bullet. These bullets deal a slight amount of damage, and inflict the "Levitation" effect, causing you to float uncontrollably upwards. Blocking or attacking the projectile destroys it.
Skulkers drop Skulker Shells on death, which can be used to create Skulker Boxes.
Warden
The Warden is a Mob summoned by Skulk Shriekers within the Deep Dark being triggered by players who are standing or otherwise moving without sneaking. When 4 are triggered by a single player, the Warden spawns from the ground.
The Warden can only sense you through "Vibrations", essentially loud movements or the use of certain items, or by it's sniffing.
Wardens are not meant to be attacked. While it is possible to kill one, they have an extreme amount of health, and will not die easily (To put it into perspective, it took 5 hits from a Sharpness Level 255 Netherite Sword to kill). The Warden's Melee attacks deal a decent amount of damage and will disable your shield if you attempted to block it, while it's Ranged attack will pierce straight through your armor. The best offense against the Warden is outright avoidance. Do not stay near it, and be sure to stay crouched in order to draw it's ire. Retreat slowly and carefully, use diversions such as Arrows or Snowballs to distract it.
Wardens drop a single Skulk Catalyst upon death, if you manage to kill it.
The Warden's mechanics are complicated, so for further reading, we recommend checking out Minecraft Fandom's Wiki summary of it here.
Wither
Withers are a boss entity that can only be crafted by the player using 4 soul sand in a T-shape, then placing 3 Wither Skeleton Skulls on top. The result is a highly-dangerous and mobile mob that will attack nearly any entity on sight with Wither Skulls, an explosive skull that inflicts Wither on contact.
Withers are destructive. Be sure not to initiate combat within any areas you wish to preserve. When you spawn the Wither, it will initially be immortal as it charges up it's healthbar. Do not stand near it while this is happening, as the Wither will explode after the charge is completed.
They have two phases. Phase 1 consists of the Wither flying around, engaging anything within its range of detection. It will be vulnerable to projectile attacks during this time, and will prove to be difficult to hit due to its mobility. Use bows, crossbows, or whatever else you have to chip away it's health.
Phase 2 will begin once the Wither reaches 50% of its max HP, granting it a shield that will render it immune to all projectile attacks. It loses its mobility, as it will fall to the same height as its target and continue the assault from ground height. This is your chance to move in with your Melee weapons. Do not give it any quarter, as its passive regeneration may bring it back above the threshold and put it back into Phase 1.
Bring extra potions and your best equipment with you to this fight. The Wither attacks fast, hits hard, and is extremely destructive to the surrounding terrain.
Withers drop a Nether Star on death, which can be used to build Beacons to give yourself passive buffs when nearby.
Ender Dragon
You've made it, the final boss of the game. The Ender Dragon is a creature that only naturally spawns within the End, and acts as the final obstacle for the "completion" of Minecraft altogether.
It spawns with 10 pillars, each topped with an End Crystal. These crystals will heal the Dragon while it is within their range, as denoted by the white beam that will stretch towards the Dragon. Your first task is to neutralize these crystals by shooting them with projectiles, or topping the pillar and attacking it in melee. Do keep in mind that these explode when destroyed, so keep some water with you. You'll also have to get back down from the pillar, so be sure to pick up your water afterwards to keep from breaking your legs on the fall.
After destroying the crystals, it's a matter of patience and skill. Whittle down the Dragon as it flies using ranged attacks. It has a massive hitbox, meaning you should be able to target it as it draws near with some success. Be sure to be ready to dodge its incoming fireballs, as they cannot be deflected and will leave a lingering area of damaging particles. The Dragon may dive on you during this time, be sure to be ready for it with a counterattack, or just plain get out of the way to preserve your health.
The Dragon is most vulnerable while hovering above the Exit Platform, the Bedrock pillar at the center of the Island. During this time, it will attempt to use Breath attacks to coat an area in harmful gas. You can attempt to bottle it if you're feeling risky. Otherwise, stand clear of it and attack it from its flanks. This is your opportunity to deal real damage!
Rinse and repeat. Stay clear of the Dragon's swooping attacks, whittle it down from afar, then close in for the kill when it sits still, while remaining vigilant for its Breath attacks. Keep in mind the Endermen around you. You do not want to aggro more than you absolutely need to, so mind where you're looking!
Slaying the Dragon grants you a large amount of pride, but item wise, it will give you a Dragon Egg, While it is only decorative, you may collect it by causing it to teleport onto a minable block, digging under that block, placing a Torch directly blow the Egg, then breaking the block between the Egg and the Torch.