How Do You Tame a Zombie Village?

The question of “taming” a zombie village in Minecraft is a bit of a misnomer. You can’t exactly tame the undead inhabitants like you would a wolf or a cat. Instead, what players generally mean is, how do you restore a zombie village back to its former, peaceful state, inhabited by normal villagers? The answer lies in curing the zombie villagers, one by one. This process involves using a Splash Potion of Weakness and a Golden Apple on each zombified villager. By strategically applying these items, and setting up appropriate precautions, you can revitalize a zombie-infested village and reap the rewards of its industrious inhabitants. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to do this, as well as answering other frequently asked questions regarding zombie villagers and villages.

Understanding the Threat: Zombie Villages and Villagers

Before you start your restoration project, it’s vital to understand the mechanics behind zombie villages and the creatures that populate them. Zombie villages are essentially normal villages that have been overrun by zombies. When a zombie attacks a villager, there’s a chance that the villager will be turned into a zombie villager. These zombified villagers retain some semblance of their former profession and can often be found aimlessly wandering within the village.

A critical component to understanding this challenge is recognizing that zombie villagers are not just regular zombies. They have specific attributes that are pertinent to the curing process. Thankfully, they have the same amount of health as regular zombies, so they are not harder to take down. However, their presence in numbers can be challenging.

Step-by-Step Guide to Curing Zombie Villagers

Restoring a zombie village isn’t a quick task but it is a very achievable one. Here’s a step-by-step method to cure the zombie villagers:

1. Secure the Area: Before you begin the curing process, it is essential to create a secure area for each zombie villager. This is best accomplished by building a small “prison cell” using walls and a gate, or by simply fencing off a part of the village. Make sure the structure includes a bed and iron bars for each zombie villager you are attempting to cure. This greatly reduces cure times. This space will contain the zombie villager as it is transformed back to a normal villager.
2. Isolate the Zombie Villager: Carefully lure the zombie villager into its secured area. This can be done by manipulating its line of sight, or by simply pushing it if necessary. Be cautious, as they are still capable of attacking you and each other.
3. Splash Potion of Weakness: Once the zombie villager is safely inside its cell, throw a Splash Potion of Weakness at it. The potion’s effect will be displayed with a swirling of smoke around the villager and they will be under the “Weakness” status.
4. Feed the Golden Apple: Next, equip your Golden Apple and approach the affected zombie villager. Press the “use” button to feed it the apple. The zombie villager will begin to shudder, indicating the curing process has begun.
5. Patience is Key: The curing process takes time. In the Bedrock Edition, it lasts around 1-2 minutes, while in the Java Edition it lasts 3-5 minutes. The presence of a bed and iron bars around the zombie villager can decrease this time slightly. During this time, the zombie villager will shake and emit peculiar noises.
6. The Transformation: Once the curing process is complete, the zombie villager will transform back into a normal villager. At the end of this, it will drop any items it was holding, if any.
7. Repeat: Continue these steps for every zombie villager in the village until you’ve restored the village population.

Key Considerations

• Safety First: Ensure you have proper armor and weapons before venturing into a zombie village. Multiple zombies, especially when including baby zombies, can be difficult to manage.
• Resource Management: You’ll need a good stock of Splash Potions of Weakness, crafted from fermented spider eyes and water bottles, and a decent supply of Golden Apples. These will need to be made prior to arriving in the village to expedite the process.
• Time of Day: Try to do most of this during the day as zombies can burn in direct sunlight, and this way you’re able to secure the villagers without unnecessary fighting.
• Baby Zombie Villagers: Baby zombie villagers are more challenging due to their speed. They can also spawn riding other zombies, so be mindful of this.
• Village Defenses: Once you’ve cured most of the villagers, you can add defenses to the village to ensure it does not become another zombie village. Consider adding iron golems or a wall around the village.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and provide additional valuable information.

1. Can you really turn a zombie village into a normal village?

Yes, by curing all the zombie villagers using a Splash Potion of Weakness and a Golden Apple, you can indeed restore a zombie village to a normal, functional village.

2. How long does it take to cure a zombie villager?

The curing process lasts approximately 1-2 minutes in the Bedrock Edition and 3-5 minutes in the Java Edition. Placing beds and iron bars near the zombie villager speeds up the process.

3. Can you befriend a zombie in Minecraft?

No, you cannot tame zombies. However, you can cure zombie villagers and have them become villagers, who will interact with you. Regular zombies cannot be “befriended”.

4. What is the rarest zombie in Minecraft?

The rarest zombie is a baby zombie spawning with diamond armor, with a mere 0.04% chance. This is especially dangerous, as baby zombies can ride other zombies to become jockeys.

5. How do you purify a zombie villager?

You purify a zombie villager by throwing a Splash Potion of Weakness at it, and then feeding it a Golden Apple. This will then start the curing process.

6. How do you treat baby zombie villagers?

The process is the same as with regular zombie villagers. Use a Splash Potion of Weakness and then feed them a Golden Apple while they are in a secured space with beds and iron bars.

7. Do zombie villagers drop their items when cured?

Yes, at the end of the curing process, if the zombie villager is holding any item that they picked up, they will drop it on the ground.

8. How rare is it to find a zombie village?

Zombie villagers are not particularly rare. Zombies have a 5% chance of naturally spawning as zombie villagers, meaning you will likely see a fair few during your adventures.

9. How do you breed villagers in Minecraft?

Villagers can breed when they have 14 food points each, supplied with bread, potatoes, carrots, or beetroots. Place two villagers in a building with beds, and a baby villager will spawn within 20 minutes.

10. Do zombie pigmen forgive?

Yes, zombie pigmen eventually forget past aggression. After a certain period or after exiting and re-entering the Nether, they will stop attacking you unless provoked again.

11. Are zombie villagers stronger than normal zombies?

No, zombie villagers have the same amount of health as a normal zombie. However, a zombie villager near a village has a chance to turn villagers into zombie villagers.

12. Why isn’t my zombie attacking my villager?

If a zombie is not attacking a villager, it likely cannot pathfind to the villager’s elevation, typically if the zombie is more than one block below the villager.

13. What happens if you cure a zombie villager on a chicken?

If you cure a baby zombie villager jockey, the villager will not dismount. It will remain on the chicken and function as a normal villager, but will be permanently riding the chicken.

14. Why cure a zombie villager?

Curing zombie villagers is important because cured villagers will offer discounted prices on items when trading. They also have the most extensive personalities and interactions of all mobs in Minecraft.

15. Why won’t my zombie villager eat the golden apple?

Only zombie villagers who are under the effect of Weakness can be cured. Make sure you’re using a normal Golden Apple and not an Enchanted Golden Apple (or Notch Apple). Also, make sure the zombie villager you are trying to cure is not a nitwit villager.

Conclusion

Taming a zombie village in Minecraft is a satisfying and rewarding undertaking. By understanding the process, having the appropriate resources, and maintaining patience, you can restore these undead-infested areas to thriving communities. This will provide you with a trading hub, a source of villagers, and a safe haven for your Minecraft adventures.