Minecraft players seeking a greater challenge beyond the End and the Ender Dragon will eventually come across the Wither. This mystical entity is arguably the strongest creature in the game and one of the toughest challenges you can face in Minecraft. The fight is only for true pros looking to elevate and expand their world. And while the battle is tough, the reward at the end is absolutely worth it! Today, we’ll show you how to defeat the Wither in Minecraft, summon it, and what strategy will help you in the fight! With this guide, you’ll be well-prepared for the challenge!
Minecraft Wither – What Kind of Boss Is It?
The Wither is arguably one of the strangest monsters in Minecraft and adds significantly to the game’s mythology. It is a black, three-headed skeleton composed mostly of dead souls. Besides its three heads, it mainly consists of ribs. It has no arms or legs. Furthermore, the Wither can fly, making it truly eerie!
What exactly the Wither is and how it truly relates to the game remains unclear. However, it is strongly associated with the Nether, which we will discuss in the following section.
One of the first hints of this boss can be found in a very unusual place. The Wither is immortalised in one of the many paintings in Minecraft, hinting at its existence and summoning. You’ve probably seen this image once or twice.
Summoning the Wither – Instructions & Materials
The painting gives you clues on how to summon the Wither. Unlike the Ender Dragon or the Warden, you can decide when and where you want to fight the Wither. It doesn’t just appear randomly; you must consciously bring it to life.
For this, you’ll need four soul sand or soul soil, arranged in a T-shape. On the top row, place three wither skeleton skulls. However, you can’t just find these, you’ll need to obtain them from wither skeletons in the Nether.
Defeating Wither Skeletons – How to Obtain Skulls!
Wither skeleton skulls are a crucial component but are only dropped by wither skeletons. These black, somewhat larger skeletons are found only in a Nether fortress. They often patrol the exposed corridors and carry a sword. They spawn only at light levels below 7 and can appear in groups of up to four skeletons. Be especially cautious of the “Wither” effect, which can be deadly!
You can defeat wither skeletons relatively easily by blocking the fortress corridors at head height and then luring the skeletons. Being large, they can’t pass through, allowing you to easily defeat them. Unfortunately, wither skeletons often only drop coal or bones. The skulls have only a 2.5 to 5.5% chance (or up to 8.5% in Bedrock) of dropping, depending on the “Looting” enchantment on your sword.
Minecraft Wither Battle – Best Strategies & Tips
Once you’ve gathered the four soul sand/soul soil and the three wither skeleton skulls, you can summon the Wither. However, you should be well-prepared and confident in your ability to win the fight.
The Wither has 300 health points, making it a really tough boss. The Warden, which we’ve covered in another article (Defeating the Minecraft Warden – How to Conquer the Strongest Enemy!) , has 500 health points. Interestingly, the Ender Dragon, the game’s final boss, has only 200 health points. This gives you an idea of what to expect in the fight against the Wither. In the Bedrock Edition, the Wither can have 450 or 600 health, depending on the difficulty level. In this version of Minecraft, the Wither is considerably stronger!
The best weapons against the Wither:
- Netherite sword with “Smite” enchantment
- Golden carrots for food
- Milk buckets (negates Wither effect, but also your own potions)
- Potion of Regeneration
- Potion of Strength
The Best Location for the Wither Fight in Minecraft
The location where you fight the Wither is crucial. Conduct the battle far from your base, as the Wither shoots projectiles at you that cause explosions. You certainly don’t want your beloved structures to be destroyed.
The easiest way to defeat the Wither is underground. Choose a cave with no large openings – preferably in your own mine. In a narrow alcove, you can summon and control it more easily. This prevents, for example, the Wither from flying away and attacking you from above. However, in the Bedrock Edition, this method is not advisable as the Wither has some different attack patterns.
You can also fight the boss normally, but it’s considerably more challenging. Here, we recommend bringing a bow with “Power V” to deal some damage from a distance.
Wither Attack Patterns – How to Defend Yourself!
- Summoning: When the Wither is first summoned, you can’t attack it for 10 seconds. It needs to charge up, taking on a light blue hue. Then it explodes, so make sure you’re far enough away!
- Projectiles: The Wither usually attacks with projectiles resembling wither skeleton skulls. These explode on impact. Beware of the light blue skulls, as they inflict the “Wither” effect on you.
- Wither Rose: The Wither also attacks other creatures, turning them into wither roses with its attacks. This can serve as a temporary distraction, giving you a breather.
- Regeneration: Simultaneously, the Wither can regenerate, making the fight a bit more arduous. If you’re not fast enough, it will replenish its health bar.
- Shield: When you’ve reduced its health by half, the Wither moves into its second phase. It surrounds itself with a shield, and you can only kill it with melee attacks. In Bedrock, the Wither additionally summons wither skeletons.
Defeating the Wither – What Reward Do You Get?
For such a hard-fought battle, a great reward awaits you! Regardless of the difficulty level, the Wither always drops a Nether Star. Be cautious, though, as it can be burned by lava if you defeat the Wither underground. From the Nether Star, you can build a beacon, offering many exciting effects! We’ll explore this in another article if you’re interested.
Conclusion: Is the Wither Battle in Minecraft Worth It?
If you’re already a Minecraft veteran and want to expand your world, a fight against the Wither is the next step. The boss is tough, but not unbeatable! With the right tools, you’ll be able to defeat it and ultimately obtain the Nether Star for the beacon. Rent your own Minecraft server and try the battle with your friends! You’ll likely have a better chance, especially in the Bedrock Edition.
