nocware
Quick answer
- Destroy the
End crystals first. They heal the dragon. - Hit the dragon when it perches on the portal in the middle. Head hits do the most damage.
- Bring blocks, a bow, Slow Falling potions and a
water bucket.
The Ender Dragon is the "end" of Minecraft, and in Hardcore it's the fight everyone's nervous about. With the right prep, it's very doable.
Max Gear ChecklistThe best enchantments for every Minecraft armor piece, tool and weapon, as a checklist you can tick off→
What to bring
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Bow + lots of arrows | Shooting crystals on tall pillars |
| Sword with Sharpness | Hitting the dragon when it perches |
| Blocks (2+ stacks) | Pillaring up to caged crystals |
| Water bucket | Endermen won't follow you into water |
| Slow Falling potions | Saves you if you get knocked off a pillar |
| Golden apples and good food | Healing mid-fight |
 Carved pumpkin (optional) | Endermen won't get angry if you look at them |
Brewing GuideVisual Minecraft brewing guide→
Step 1: crystals
Each crystal heals the dragon while it's connected by a beam. Shoot the ones on open pillars with arrows. Some are inside 
iron bars, so you'll need to pillar up and break them up close.
Crystals explodeBreaking one up close blows you back. Hit it from a block or two away, then get down fast.
Step 2: the dragon
200dragon health
75%less damage when you don't hit the head
- Wait for it to land on the portal in the middle of the island.
- Get close and hit its head as much as you can.
- Back off when it takes off, and avoid the purple breath clouds.
Beds explode in the EndSome players blow up the dragon with beds. It's very fast and very dangerous. One bad placement can end a Hardcore world instantly.
Rewards
12,000XP from the first kill
500XP for later kills
You also get the dragon egg, the exit portal home, and an End gateway to the outer islands, where End cities and elytra are.
Hardcore checklistFull Protection IV armour, Feather Falling IV boots, a totem in your off-hand, and never fight endermen on the edge of the island.
Cheat sheet
- Crystals first, dragon second
- Hit the head while it perches
- Water bucket + Slow Falling + blocks
- No beds unless you're very confident
Max Gear ChecklistThe best enchantments for every Minecraft armor piece, tool and weapon, as a checklist you can tick off→
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