The Ender Dragon was the first boss ever added to Minecraft and remains, to this day, the final challenge before beating the game. So, today, we answer how to beat the Ender Dragon in our Ender Dragon guide and list the loot it leaves behind.

Minecraft Ender Dragon Guide: Stats, Location, Loot, Fight Tips, & More

• Health: 100 Hearts
• Biome: The End
• Attacks:
  • Melee: 3/5/7.5 Hearts
  • Wings:75/2.5/3.75 Hearts
  • Fireball: 3 Hearts (Per Second)
  • Dragon’s Breath:5 Hearts (Per Second)

Added in Minecraft 1.0.0 as the final boss of the game, the Ender Dragon remains a difficult encounter, ready to put the skills of new players to the test. Before facing this boss, we recommend having enchanted diamond armor, an enchanted diamond sword, and an enchanted bow for combat. A few stacks of dirt or cobble, a bucket of water, and a diamond pickaxe are all highly recommended as well, as they make the encounter significantly easier. With all those in hand, only Eyes of Ender are needed, which are detailed in the section below.

Ender Dragon Location: How to Get to The End

Reaching the Ender Dragon can be just as difficult as actually beating it, depending on the seed. To venture to The End, the realm of the Ender Dragon, an End Portal must first be found. This is most easily achieved by crafting multiple Eyes of Ender using Ender Pearls and Blaze Powder. When thrown, they will float in the direction of the stronghold, gradually guiding players there, but be warned: they have a 20% chance of breaking with each use. Once in the stronghold, the End Portal will also require multiple Eyes of Ender to activate. Between getting there and activating the portal, we would recommend having no less than twelve Eyes of Ender before heading out on this journey.

How to Beat the Ender Dragon in Minecraft (Fight Tips & Strategies)

After entering The End, the Ender Dragon will alternate between perching above the End Portal and flying around the island, being healed by End Crystals on top of each obsidian pillar. When flying, bows can be used to damage the dragon from a distance, and while perched, melee weapons can be used. Just watch out for its wings, which have significant knockback! Regardless of the phase, it will also be launching fireballs that leave a lingering breath that causes damage, so be sure to avoid it. Note: Using an empty bottle on the lingering breath gathers it. Great for potions!

Fighting as Intended

If fighting as intended, destroying the End Crystals atop each obsidian pillar is the priority. Many can be taken out with a well-placed shot from a bow, but some are enclosed in iron cages, requiring players to tower up and break through with a pickaxe. Once the End Crystals are gone, head back down and shoot at the Ender Dragon until it perches atop the End Portal. From there, melee while avoiding wings until it takes off again. The ranged phase will then repeat until it perches again, allowing for melee. If Endermen found throughout The End are causing trouble during the fight, don’t forget to make use of the water bucket. Endermen are damaged by water, so they can’t reach anyone standing in it.

Bed Strategy

If doing the bed strategy, the End Crystals can be ignored. Instead, go right to the End Portal and wait for the dragon to perch. As soon as it does, place a bed on top of the End Portal and attempt to sleep in it. This will cause the bed to explode, dealing immense damage to the Ender Dragon. Repeat with a few more beds, and the dragon is dead within seconds. This method is often used by speedrunners to trivialize the fight and quickly dispatch the dragon.

Ender Dragon Loot

• 12,000 XP
• 1x Dragon Egg
• Dragon’s Breath (If Looted During the Encounter)

Once the Ender Dragon has been killed, 12000 experience orbs (the equivalent of level 0 to 68) will fall from the sky following the conclusion of its death animation. A dragon egg will also appear, but be warned that attempting to break the egg causes it to teleport. Instead, a piston can be used to retrieve it without risk. Dragon’s Breath can only be obtained during the fight while the dragon is still alive.

How to Revive The Ender Dragon

The Ender Dragon can be resummoned at any time by placing an End Crystal on the north, south, east, and west sides of the End Portal where the Ender Dragon perched during the fight. Each End Crystal requires seven Glass blocks, one Eye of Ender, and one Ghast Tear.