Gone are the days when the Nether of Minecraft used to be devoid of any real action and excitement. Now, it’s possible to see a whole host of new mobs and structures, and even biomes in the underworld that has become known as the more challenging dimension out of all the three. Not just that, one of the new mobs added in actually allows the player to traverse lava lakes.
The Strider was introduced along with Piglins and Hoglins in 1.16, and is a passive mob that can be seen swimming and walking around in lava pools, or at least nearby large areas of lava. These lava-adoring beings haven’t been discussed much since the release of the update, but their utility for the player traveling through the Nether is undeniable.
10 They Need Lava At Least Two Blocks Deep
Striders are passive mobs, so they’ll spawn randomly and often in groups in specific areas that best suit their requirements. Any biome will suit their needs, but the easiest place to find any Striders is to simply walk over to the bottom of the Nether where lava is in abundance.
Striders require a lava pool which at least two blocks deep, or deeper in order to spawn naturally. Anything below that is a no-go for them, although they can sometimes be seen walking on land.
9 The Babies Spawn On Their Heads
Much like a whole host of other mobs in the game, Striders have a baby version of themselves, too. These tiny Striders will often either spawn nearby the adult Striders and follow them around, or even on top of the adult Strider’s head, where they’ll remain.
Even as they age up, baby Striders aren’t likely to leave the head of an adult Strider, which is interesting to note. Despite their feet not directly touching lava, they still maintain their default appearance as well.
8 The Strider Jockey Variant
Another spawning variant of the Strider is the Strider Jockey, which is evidently a reference to the Overworld version of a Spider Jockey, ridden by a skeleton. The Strider Jockey is basically a rare occurrence where a zombified Piglin will ride the Strider, much like the player would.
If the Piglin is angered, they will chase after the player while still sitting on the Strider, which can be particularly scary if the Strider happens to still be in lava. Thankfully, they’re very slow on land.
7 They Love Warped Fungus
The Warped Fungus is the worst enemy of the Hoglins, but interestingly enough it’s a delicacy for the passive Striders that live in the depths of lava lakes. The Warped Fungus is basically a turquoise mushroom with orange spots, which can be discovered in the Warped Forest biome.
Striders absolutely love these treats, and will follow the player like regular Overworld passive mobs when presented with their favorite food. It’s fantastic for luring a Strider on land.
6 They’re Great For Farming String
Previously it used to be completely impossible to get most resources in the Nether. However, Striders cover one of the most important resources for those who want to challenge themselves with a Nether survival run. In order to make beds or anything made out of wool, a Strider farm is a necessity.
Striders, upon killed, will drop some string for the player, which can be used to make wool blocks and eventually beds. It’s also nice in a pinch if the player wants to craft a bow while stuck in the Nether.
5 They Hate Water
As one would expect, Striders absolutely do not like water. They take damage while in water and will also take damage from rainfall. This is only if they’re somehow transported into the Overworld, which as a difficult task of its own.
However, frozen water like snow and snowballs won’t have any special effects on the Strider, nor will they take damage from snow. It’s really no surprise water is their greatest weakness, given that they live most of their lives in lava.
4 They Get Cold Outside Of Lava
As already mentioned, Striders will usually spawn in numbers into lava lakes. While they definitely prefer the heat of the lava and are most commonly found in these large pools, they can wander on land or be lured to land by the player.
On land, the Strider changes color to a dark, almost purple and burgundy color. They move much slower and start shivering, as if cold. No doubt their bodies require the intense heat of the lava in order to live comfortably.
3 They Can Be Bred
Like most mobs in the game, especially passive mobs, Striders can also be bred. The rules of the breeding process are pretty similar to any other farm animal in the Overworld, and all the player needs is the favorite food of the Striders.
With Warped Fungus in hand, feed one to two Striders for the heart animation to begin. This will produce a baby Strider, which will grow up quicker if given Warped Fungus as well. Striders don’t provide any food when killed, but they do make an excellent source of string.
2 They’re Only Fast In Stationary Lava
The main utility of Striders is to be used as a mount in the Nether. One of the most annoying aspects of traveling in the Nether is the fact that lava is absolutely everywhere and the terrain is immensely difficult to traverse.
The Striders provide an alternative to travel, as they allow the player to speed across lava lakes with ease. That being said, any type of lava fountain or flowing lava will still slow the Strider down significantly. They move the fastest when traveling through stationary pools of lava.
1 They’re Related To An Advancement
Players who want to unlock as many advancements as possible in the game, especially some of the new ones that were included with the 1.16 update, should try and find themselves a Strider. Armed with a Warped Fungus on a stick and a saddle, the player should mount a Strider while in the Nether.
This will grant them the advancement titled “This Boat Has Legs”. The Striders are also now included into the breeding advancement requiring the player to breed all animals, titled “Two by Two”.
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