What Mobs Can You Lead in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’ve crafted yourself a lead in Minecraft and you’re ready to wrangle some critters. But which mobs can you actually attach that lead to? The answer is surprisingly diverse, and it can be tricky to keep track. In essence, you can lead most passive and neutral mobs, as well as some utility mobs and even a few unexpected entities. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Allay
- Axolotl
- Bee
- Boat (Bedrock Edition Only)
- Camel
- Cat
- Chicken
- Cow
- Dolphin
- Donkey
- Fox
- Frog
- Goat
- Hoglin
- Horse
- Iron Golem
- Llama
- Mooshroom
- Mule
- Ocelot
- Panda
- Parrot
- Pig
- Polar Bear
- Rabbit
- Sheep
- Strider
- Turtle
- Wolf
Essentially, if a mob isn’t actively trying to hurt you (or a villager, in the case of Iron Golems), chances are you can leash it. This makes lead invaluable for moving animals, creating farms, or simply decorating your base with a menagerie of adorable creatures.
Understanding Leads in Minecraft
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, let’s quickly recap what a lead is and how it works. A lead is a crafting item made from string and a slimeball. String is readily obtained from spiders, striders, and cats (as a gift), while slimeballs are dropped by slimes.
Once crafted, you can right-click on a compatible mob to attach the lead. The lead can then be tied to a fence post to keep the mob tethered to that location.
The Limitations of Leads
While leads are incredibly versatile, they do have limitations:
- Range: The lead has a finite length. If you move too far away from the mob, the lead will break, freeing the creature.
- Durability: Leads themselves don’t have durability but can break if stretched too far or if the mob is attacked.
- Specific Mob Restrictions: As mentioned earlier, some mobs cannot be leashed at all.
Mobs You Can’t Lead (And Why)
Knowing which mobs can’t be lead is just as important as knowing which ones can. Here’s a list of the most notable exceptions:
- Villagers: Sadly, you can’t put a lead on a villager. This is likely to prevent players from easily exploiting them.
- Bats: Bats are passive, but their flighty nature makes them impossible to leash.
- Ocelots (in some versions): While adult Ocelots can be leashed, this wasn’t always the case. In earlier versions, they would avoid the player. Now, you can leash them, but they act more like trusted companions rather than tamed pets.
- Hostile Mobs: Generally, you cannot leash hostile mobs such as zombies, skeletons, creepers, endermen, etc. The intention is to give them freedom as a menacing force for the players to deal with during game play.
Alternative Methods for Moving Unleashable Mobs
So, what do you do if you need to move a villager or another unleashable mob? The answer is simple: boats and minecarts! These vehicles allow you to transport mobs over land and water. You can also use workstations and beds to lure villagers into specific areas.
Leashing Unusual Entities
Minecraft is full of surprises, and leads can be used on some rather unexpected entities. Here are a few notable examples:
- Boats (Bedrock Edition Only): In the Bedrock Edition, you can attach a lead to a boat, allowing you to drag it across the water. This is particularly useful for transporting multiple passengers or navigating tricky waterways.
- Chicken Jockeys (Partial): You can leash the chicken part of a Chicken Jockey, effectively separating the jockey from its ride. The zombie or baby zombie riding the chicken cannot be leashed.
- Iron Golems: Though not exactly an “animal”, these gentle giants can be led by a player and can be very helpful to lead back to a village if they’ve wandered off or been pulled too far away from their intended location.
Advanced Leash Techniques
Beyond simply attaching a lead to a mob, there are a few advanced techniques you can use to maximize their effectiveness:
- Multiple Mobs per Lead: While you can’t attach multiple mobs to a single lead at the same time, you can hold multiple leads in your inventory. This allows you to quickly switch between leading different animals.
- Leash Farms: By using leads and fence posts, you can create efficient animal farms that automatically collect resources like wool, eggs, and milk.
- Decorative Leads: Use leads to create interesting displays in your base, such as tethering parrots to perches or leading horses through obstacle courses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Leads
Here are some frequently asked questions about leads in Minecraft:
1. Can I lead a baby animal?
Yes, you can lead baby animals. This is especially useful for moving them to a safer location or preventing them from wandering off.
2. Do leads break when a mob takes damage?
Yes, if a mob is pulled too far or takes significant damage, the lead can break.
3. Can I use leads on hostile mobs?
Generally, no. Leads are intended for passive and neutral mobs. However, you can leash Hoglins which are hostile when not near Crimson Fungus.
4. What happens if I try to lead a mob that can’t be leashed?
Nothing will happen. The lead simply won’t attach to the mob.
5. How do I make a lead?
You need 4 string and 1 slimeball. Combine them in a crafting table to create two leads.
6. Can I dye leads?
No, you cannot dye leads in Minecraft.
7. Can I enchant leads?
No, leads cannot be enchanted.
8. How far can I move away from a mob before the lead breaks?
The exact distance varies, but it’s approximately 10 blocks.
9. Can I use leads in the Nether or the End?
Yes, leads function normally in all dimensions.
10. Do leads work on servers?
Yes, leads work on multiplayer servers. However, some server plugins may modify their behavior.
11. Can I lead a charged creeper?
No, creepers, even charged ones, cannot be leashed.
12. How do I untie a lead from a fence post?
Simply right-click on the fence post.
13. Can I use leads to pull mobs through water?
Yes, you can lead mobs through water, but they may move slower.
14. What’s the best way to transport villagers?
Use boats or minecarts. These are the only reliable methods for moving villagers over long distances.
15. Can I lead a Sniffer?
Yes, Sniffers can be led.
Leads are a simple yet powerful tool in Minecraft, offering endless possibilities for animal management, farming, and decoration. Understanding which mobs can be lead and how to use leads effectively is essential for any Minecraft player. For more insights into gaming and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.