The battle against the Ender Dragon is one of the primary goals for many Minecraft players. It represents the “official” end introduced with the 1.0 release in 2011 and has remained largely unchanged since then. However, the battle is not exactly easy and can be a significant challenge, especially for new and inexperienced players. Therefore, today we will explore the best strategies to make this fight manageable even for beginners!
Finding the Ender Dragon: Here’s How
To defeat the Ender Dragon, you must first find it. It does not appear in the Overworld, nor in the Nether. The dragon resides in its own dimension, which you can only access via a special portal. These portals can be found in generated strongholds, hidden deep underground.
In a Minecraft world, there are 128 such strongholds, appearing at regular intervals. You can locate them by crafting Eye of Enders from ender pearls and blaze powder and activating them. They float through the air and guide you in the general direction of the stronghold. Make sure to carry plenty of Eyes of Ender, as they can break, and in the worst case, you will need 12 pieces to activate the portal.
Optimal Equipment: Items for the Dragon Fight
Once you have found a stronghold and the room with the End Portal, you should prepare for the battle. It is best to set up a small base in the stronghold, with a bed and a chest for additional equipment. If you die, you will respawn right next to the portal.
Your inventory should include:
- Diamond armour (boots with the “Feather Falling” enchantment)
- Diamond sword/axe
- Shield
- Bow + plenty of arrows
- Pickaxe
- Food
- 2x 64 building blocks
- Water bucket
- Potions of Slow Falling (can be made from phantom membrane)
- Pumpkin head
Battle Strategy for the Ender Dragon
The fight against the Ender Dragon occurs in several phases, which you should be prepared for in advance. This not only makes everything easier but can also prevent your death. Approach the battle strategically and focus on different aspects at different times.
Activating the End Portal and Travelling to the Dimension
Once you jump through the End Portal, you can be greeted by two different scenarios. You will either spawn on a 5x5 obsidian platform slightly away from the main island – or you will be buried in a 5x5x3 room. First, you need to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and find your way to the main island.
The End island is a large island made of end stone, where you will see several tall obsidian pillars. The Ender Dragon is likely already hovering above you, but it is not your priority yet. The many Endermen will also catch your eye. They pose the biggest hurdle, as you should avoid eye contact or wear a pumpkin head. However, this restricts your field of vision, so it is not necessarily practical or necessary.
Destroying End Crystals: The Key to Victory
Your first task is to destroy the End Crystals on the obsidian pillars. They heal the dragon, so it’s not worth attacking it directly yet. Some of these crystals can be hit directly from the ground with a bow and a well-aimed shot, while others are either too high or enclosed in a cage made of iron bars.
Use your building blocks to stack up. Drink your Potion of Slow Falling beforehand to avoid fall damage. The dragon, still flying around you, will likely try to fling you into the air. The crystals can be easily destroyed with your fist.
Attack Phase: Weakening the Ender Dragon
Once you have destroyed all the End Crystals on the pillars, the dragon can no longer regenerate and is now vulnerable to your attacks. Your pattern then follows a specific sequence. It will continue to fly through the air, and you can try to hit it with your bow and some good shots. This doesn’t deal a lot of damage but can shorten the fight by a few minutes.
You can directly attack the Ender Dragon with a sword or an axe when it comes to the centre and lands on the End Fountain. Focus on its head, as this is where you deal the most damage. The hitbox can be a bit odd, but you can press F3+B to display it.
The attack you should most be wary of during this attack is the dragon’s breath. It forms a poisonous cloud on the ground that deals damage to you. So, you should keep moving while attacking the head. If the dragon flings you into the air with its attack, grab your water bucket immediately and try to break your fall with it. Alternatively, carry enough Potions of Slow Falling to negate the impact damage.
Defeating the Ender Dragon
After several phases, you will finally bring the health bar down to zero and defeat the dragon. It then rises into the air and explodes in a confetti of light and a plethora of experience points. At the same time, the End Fountain activates for your journey home, and on the outer edge of the island, an End Gateway Portal to the outer End islands appears.
Your coolest reward is likely the Ender Dragon Egg, which exists only once per world! You can collect it by nudging it once, allowing it to teleport, and then letting it fall onto a torch. It serves solely as decoration but is a great souvenir from the battle.
After that, only a jump into the End Fountain and the Minecraft credits remain. It is not only the developers’ credits but also a poem written by Julian Gough. It’s worth reading through! It is surprisingly philosophical and an interesting ending for a game like Minecraft.
Respawning the Ender Dragon: Here’s How
Of course, for many players, the battle against the Ender Dragon is only the beginning of their world. If you fancy, you can defeat the boss repeatedly. For this, you need four End Crystals, crafted from glass, an Eye of Ender, and a ghast tear. Place these around the fountain and summon the dragon again!
Conclusion
The Ender Dragon is both the end and the beginning of a Minecraft world and is an integral part of progression! Not only is it a significant challenge, but it also grants you access to the outer End islands and a wealth of great loot. Rent your own Minecraft server with us and defeat the Ender Dragon together with your friends. The battle is a fantastic experience, and every Minecraft player should read the End Poem at least once.
