Minecraft was released almost a decade ago at this point, and it remains one of the most popular video games the world over. Every year there’s a new generation of kids picking up the game for the first time, and feeling overwhelmed with that big beautiful world at first is natural — but it can be especially trying when experiencing combat for the first time.
Between the building, exploring, and crafting, there’s quite a bit to get caught up with as the game sees new updates frequently. Combat is mostly straightforward, but there are a few tricks to the trade, so to speak. For those hopping in, this is a solid primer featuring a few essential tips when it comes to acclimating to combat and archery.
10 Gather A Lot Of Resources Early
To maximize both efficiency and damage output in combat players need to invest in their tools. Focusing on resource gathering early on provides the player with the ability to craft iron or diamond swords. An effective chicken farm results in a collection of feathers which are crucial when it comes to crafting an arsenal of arrows. Those who invest early in the rigorous tasks of Minecraft can render the drawbacks of combat an absolute breeze, if not a total non-factor, and cut down on the related resource grinding later on in the game.
9 Enchantments Make A Difference
Enchantments are an aspect of Minecraft that becomes a concern towards the mid-to-late game stages of a player’s progress. These things can make digging and resource gathering much better, but there are a handful of enchantments that drastically affect combat as well. From enemy-specific damage bonuses to knockback and fire-damage, it’s more than worth it to invest in both an enchantment table and room as well as an anvil and mob spawner to make the most out of all the enchantments the player creates.
8 Invest In Your Sword
From the moment the player starts punching trees, they should begin thinking about how they’re going to allocate resources. It’s one thing to consider what materials will be used for the house, but it’s important to keep in mind that upgrading weapons and tools should be the focus.
The first few diamonds a player finds should be used on both a sword and a pickaxe. These tools are of utmost importance as the former will protect the player and deliver major damage, and the latter will allow access to building a Nether portal.
7 Use Spacing Effectively
Spacing is something that can make a world of difference in combat. Players think about this in regards to building in Minecraft, but not as much when they’re facing down an enemy. Understanding an enemy’s limitations when it comes to spacing makes a world of difference. All walking enemies are unable to scale a 2-high block wall, they get pushed by water, and knockback can send them flying. All three of these things allow the player to create distance and space themselves in a way where they can dish out damage and remain unaffected.
6 Blocking Is A Thing
Early Minecraft players may not know about this, but the game has added both blocking with swords and actual shields to the game. This adds another level of combat that simply isn’t predicated on swiping a sword then moving to avoid an incoming attack. Blocking is a passive and defensive approach to combat, and though instincts would tell a player to get aggressive, sometimes the best action is inaction. There’s nothing better than blocking an opponent’s strike only to lower the shield and retaliate with an equally powerful blow.
5 Use The Environment
The enemy artificial intelligence in Minecraft is pretty solid, but it can still be tricked and manipulated by humans. Water and lava tend to naturally flow in most caves, which means players can use them to their advantage. Waterfalls make it so enemies get stuck, which makes defeating them rather easy. Lava, on the other hand, is avoided by creatures, but a weapon with knockback on it can send that thing flying to a burning death. This is why enchantments are difference makers and were talked about earlier.
4 Wear The Best Armor You Can
Armor is an important part of combat in Minecraft. Not only does it mitigate the damage the player takes, but it will almost always be the difference between living or dying from a surprise creeper explosion.
When starting for the first time it may seem as though iron is a precious resource that should only be used for swords and pickaxes, it should be utilized for a complete set of armor. To do so, players will need to have 24 iron ingots in total to make the helmet, chest plate, pants, and boot. Once equipped the player is ready to take on the world.
3 Take Your Time
Patience and pacing one’s self may seem boring or uninteresting, but rushing into a combat scenario without understanding the entire picture could be devastating. Not only does the chance of dying significantly increase, but it could also result in the loss of valuable items or resources. Take some time to experiment and get comfortable with the sword’s reach versus the mobs’, and set up an archery range to test accuracy as well as arrow drop. Being methodical will also result in a better experience than rushing to the finish line.
2 Use Range Whenever Possible
The bow and arrow may seem less effective than a sword but can be the saving grace in several situations. Using a bow is the single most effective way to avoid a creeper explosion as it can be disposed of at a reasonable distance. In addition to that, the bow will also provide the player with the ability to fire back at pesky skeletons who make use of the dark and often spawn in dark cave ceilings. Players who have trouble in the Nether will also come to learn that the bow makes it all more manageable.
1 Experience Eliminates Fear
A common thing that happens in video games is the player being afraid of engaging in combat. Whether this is due to a lack of confidence or given ability, it should be understood that avoiding that conflict will only set the player back. Engaging in combat with enemies may result in death, but the more comfortable the player gets fighting enemies the easier it will feel and become. Breaking that veil of fear will allow the player to adapt to combat as a natural part of Minecraft and not something they’re trying to avoid at all times.
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