Summoning, safely underground
The wither assembles from 4 soul sand in a T with 3 wither skeleton skulls (from wither skeletons at Nether fortresses). Summon it in a purpose-built underground chamber — a long 2-block-high corridor with a small summon room at the end. The first phase (armored, ranged skull attacks) is the deadly one; a tight corridor forces it into melee range where it is weakest.
The standard kit
Smite V sword (undead — massive bonus), enchanted diamond/netherite armor with Protection IV, Strength II splash potions, golden apples, and a bow for the armored phase’s weak moments. Bring an anvil-ladened... keep it simple: more Smite, more apples, less pride. Its breakout explosion wrecks bases — hence underground.
The payoff
The kill drops a Nether Star — the beacon core. One beacon needs exactly one star, so every additional pyramid tier is mining work, not boss work. Repeat fights scale your beacon count and potion-brewing confidence alike.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- Minecraft — official site — the game of record for mechanics, versions and release notes.
- Mojang Studios — the developer, and the authority on balance changes between versions.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.
