Minecraft is a game where many players are familiar with most mechanics. These days, the game itself also gives you plenty of pointers on how to progress. That’s where achievements (also called advancements) come in, providing a clear path forward. Among them, however, are some that are anything but easy. These are truly meant for players who want to explore every corner of Minecraft. After all, the game hides many secrets even long-time fans don’t know. From slightly tricky to absolutely wild – we take a close look at these complex advancements!
10. A Complete Catalogue: tame all cat variants (Minecraft achievement)
Let’s start cute: to earn this one you must find and tame all 11 cat variants. Sounds doable, but which cats spawn in villages is random. Black cats reliably spawn at witch huts and have an increased chance to appear as strays during a full moon. The Jellie variant is also rare — expect a bit of patience. Tip: Increase the number of beds and villagers to spawn more stray cats, and use a clock to plan around full moons.
9. Sniper Duel: hit a skeleton from 50 metres away (advancement)
For this advancement, you need a steady aim: kill a skeleton from ≥ 50 metres away. Distance is hard to judge — measure it via coordinates (difference in X/Z) and take elevated positions. Easiest method: shoot from a mountain into a valley. Spectral Arrows help with visibility, and Slow Falling/Fire Resistance can save you if things get hairy.
8. Monsters Hunted: defeat every hostile mob
Minecraft is about survival — for this achievement you must defeat each hostile mob at least once. That includes not only zombies and spiders, but also hard-to-find foes like silverfish, endermites, shulkers, phantoms, drowned, plus the Wither and Ender Dragon. The exact number varies by version; keep a checklist and work through biomes/dimensions methodically.
7. Very Very Frightening: turn a villager into a witch with Channeling
Turn a villager into a witch: you’ll need a trident with Channeling. That alone can take time, as tridents are rare drops from drowned. Then wait for a thunderstorm — Channeling only works then. Tip: Lead the villager to an open area (no trees/roof!), optionally place a lightning rod for precise positioning, and trigger the lightning strike with your trident. One strike and the villager becomes a witch.
6. Adventuring Time: discover and track every biome
Surprisingly, this unassuming achievement is one of the toughest: you must enter every relevant biome at least once. Depending on the version, that’s 50+ distinct regions. Use the F3 debug screen (biome name) and keep a list. Maps, ocean exploration, mountain ranges and rare biomes (e.g. ice spikes, mushroom fields) take time. In single-player with cheats, /locate biome … helps; without cheats, boat/Elytra and firework rockets are invaluable.
5. The End… Again: respawn the Ender Dragon
For this one, you respawn the Ender Dragon. Craft 4 end crystals (each: 1x Eye of Ender, 1x Ghast Tear, 7x glass) and place them on the portal frame in the End. The fight mirrors the first one and is mostly procurement. Each victory opens another end gateway (up to 20 total) — perfect for faster End City access.
4. Uneasy Alliance: bring a ghast to the Overworld and defeat it
Here you must take a ghast from the Nether into the Overworld … and kill it there. Build a large Nether portal (max 23×23), funnel the ghast towards it with walls, and let it drift through. Note: ghasts don’t fit in boats or minecarts — a big portal and guiding barriers are the reliable route. In the Overworld, finish it safely with a bow or by reflecting fireballs. Brutal, yes — but the cleanest method for the achievement.
3. A Balanced Diet: eat every food item
Minecraft offers a wide variety of food. For this achievement you must eat every available food at least once — including harmful ones like rotten flesh or pufferfish. The tricky one is the enchanted golden apple (not craftable, only found in chests in dungeons/ruined portals/treasure). Also remember chorus fruit, rabbit stew, and suspicious stew. Keep a checklist and consume missing items deliberately.
2. Arbalistic: five different mobs with a single shot
This hidden advancement is sneaky: with a crossbow, kill five different mobs in one shot. Enchant the crossbow with Piercing — ideally level IV — and line up the mobs (e.g. in boats or a narrow corridor). Important: they must be different creatures (e.g. zombie, skeleton, spider, creeper, drowned). Firework rockets don’t work — stick to arrows.
1. How Did We Get Here?: every status effect at once
The name says it all: you need every available status effect active at once. That includes potion effects, beacon effects, Conduit Power, Dolphin’s Grace, Levitation from shulkers, Wither, Bad Omen/Hero of the Village, and more. The exact number varies by version. Set up a station (beacon, a conduit at an ocean edge, a shulker in a boat/minecart, a dolphin pen), brew all potions beforehand and plan the order. Some effects last seconds, others minutes — timing and precision are crucial.
Conclusion: Mastering Minecraft achievements – tips, teamwork and servers
Minecraft’s achievements are a great guide for new players to learn the mechanics. At the same time, they contain extremely demanding challenges that require planning, knowledge and patience. Teamwork helps immensely — coordinate roles, resources and locations. Rent a server with your friends and tackle these advancements together. The final one in particular is a massive challenge, and really only within reach of the very best players who know Minecraft inside out.
