For Minecraft players seeking a greater challenge beyond the End and the Ender Dragon, they will likely encounter the Wither sooner or later. This mystical creature is arguably the strongest being in the entire game and one of the most difficult challenges you can face in Minecraft. A battle with the Wither is only for true pros who want to elevate and expand their world to a new level. Even though the battle is tough, the reward at the end is absolutely worth it! Today, we will show you how to defeat the Wither in Minecraft, summon it, and the strategy that will help you in the fight! This ensures you are well-prepared for the challenge!
Minecraft Wither – What Kind of Boss Is It?
The Wither is likely one of the strangest monsters in Minecraft and contributes significantly to the game’s mythology. It is a black, three-headed skeleton that is composed mostly of dead souls. Besides its three heads, it mainly consists of ribs, with no arms or legs. Additionally, the Wither can fly, making it truly eerie!
What exactly the Wither is and how it truly relates to the game is never fully explained. However, it is strongly linked to the Nether, which we will discuss further in the following section.
One of the first hints about this boss can be found in a very unusual place. The Wither is immortalized in one of Minecraft’s many paintings, signifying its existence and summoning. Surely, you have seen this picture a time or two.
Summoning the Wither – Instructions & Materials
The painting already 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; you must consciously bring it to life.
To do this, you need four soul sand or soul soil blocks arranged in a T-shape. Then, you must place three wither skeleton skulls on the top row. You can’t just find these skulls; you must obtain them from wither skeletons in the Nether.
Defeating Wither Skeletons – How to Obtain Skulls!
Wither skeleton skulls are a crucial component and are only dropped by wither skeletons. These black, slightly larger skeletons can be found only in a Nether fortress. They often patrol the exposed hallways and carry a sword. They spawn only at a light level below 7 and can spawn in groups of up to four skeletons. You especially want to avoid the “Wither” effect, which can even kill you!
You can defeat wither skeletons relatively easily by blocking the fortress’s hallways at head height and luring the skeletons. Since they are large, they cannot fit through, allowing you to easily take them down. Unfortunately, wither skeletons often drop only 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 thoroughly prepare and be very confident that you can win the fight.
The Wither has 300 health points, making it a truly tough boss. The Warden, which we have covered in another article (Defeating the Minecraft Warden – How to Overcome the Strongest Opponent!) , has 500 health points. Interestingly, the Ender Dragon, the game’s actual final boss, only has 200 health. This gives you an idea of what to expect in the fight against the Wither. In the Bedrock Edition, the Wither can even 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 the “Smite” enchantment
- Golden carrots as food
- Buckets of milk (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. It’s best to carry out the battle far from your base, as the Wither shoots projectiles at you that cause the surroundings to explode. You certainly don’t want your beloved structures to be destroyed.
The easiest way to defeat the Wither is underground. Choose a cave without large openings – preferably in your own mine. In a narrow enclosure, you can summon and control it more easily. This prevents the Wither from flying away and attacking you from above. However, this method is not recommended in the Bedrock Edition, as the Wither has different attack patterns.
You can also fight the boss normally, but it is considerably more difficult. 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 cannot attack it for 10 seconds. It must first charge up, taking on a light blue hue. Then it explodes, so be sure to keep your distance!
- Projectiles: Normally, the Wither attacks with projectiles that resemble wither skeleton skulls. These explode upon impact. Be particularly cautious of the light blue skulls, as they inflict the “Wither” effect.
- Wither Rose: The Wither also attacks all other living creatures, transforming them into wither roses with its attacks. This can serve as a temporary distraction, giving you a brief respite.
- Regeneration: The Wither can also regenerate, making the fight more taxing. If you’re not quick enough, it will restore its health bar.
- Shield: When you reduce its health by half, the Wither enters its second phase. It surrounds itself with a shield, and you can only kill it with melee attacks. In Bedrock, the Wither also summons wither skeletons.
Defeating the Wither – What Reward Do You Get?
For such a tough battle, a great reward awaits you! Regardless of the difficulty level, the Wither always drops a Nether Star. Be careful, though, as this can burn in lava if you defeat the Wither underground. From the Nether Star, you can build a beacon, which grants you many exciting effects! We will explore this further in another article if you’re interested.
Conclusion: Is the Wither Fight Worth It in Minecraft?
If you are already a Minecraft veteran and want to expand your world, then a battle with the Wither is the next step. The boss is tough, but not unbeatable! With the right tools, you will be able to stand your ground and ultimately obtain the Nether Star for the beacon. Rent your own Minecraft server and try the fight together with your friends! You will likely have a better chance, especially in the Bedrock Edition.
