Can Two Wandering Traders Spawn at Once in Minecraft?
The short answer is no, two wandering traders cannot naturally spawn at the same time in a Minecraft world. The game is specifically programmed to allow only one wandering trader to exist in the world at any given moment. This rule applies to naturally spawned wandering traders; the limitation does not apply to those spawned with commands. Let’s dive into why this is the case and explore other interesting facts about these nomadic merchants.
How Wandering Traders Spawn
The Initial Spawn
When a new Minecraft world is created, or when an old world is updated to a version that includes wandering traders, the game sets an internal counter to 24,000 ticks (equivalent to 20 real-life minutes or 1 Minecraft day). After this initial waiting period, the game starts attempting to spawn a wandering trader.
Spawn Attempts and Chances
The first spawn attempt has a relatively low success rate, with a 2.5% chance of the wandering trader appearing. If this initial attempt fails, the game will wait another 24,000 ticks before trying again. This time, the chance of spawning increases to 5%. If that fails, subsequent spawn attempts will have a 7.5% chance, which is the maximum probability. On average, it typically takes around 14.325 Minecraft days for a wandering trader to finally spawn. The randomness, however, means it can appear earlier or later.
Spawn Location
Wandering traders typically appear within a 48-block radius of the player, though they may also spawn in village gathering sites, especially near village meeting points. They can even spawn in bodies of water. This means that regardless of where you build your base, you’ll likely get a chance to interact with them at some point. Each wandering trader will be accompanied by two leashed trader llamas.
Why Only One Wandering Trader?
The mechanics of wandering traders are designed to ensure a somewhat rare and special encounter. Allowing more than one to exist would diminish their uniqueness and potentially disrupt the game’s intended balance. The “one-at-a-time” rule ensures that you don’t become overwhelmed by wandering traders and that each encounter feels like a noteworthy event.
The Life Cycle of a Wandering Trader
Despawning
A wandering trader does not stay forever. After being loaded into the game for 48,000 ticks (40 minutes, or 2 full Minecraft days), the trader will despawn, taking their llamas with them. This timer pauses if you have the trading UI open, giving you ample time to browse and trade. Naming them with a name tag or putting them in a boat or minecart does not prevent this despawning.
Trade Lock
Interestingly, a wandering trader may despawn faster if you’ve locked all of their trades. This encourages you to either trade with them or let them despawn, which eventually brings in a trader with potentially different trade options.
Effects of Killing Wandering Traders
Lowered Spawn Rate and Trade Quality
While it may be tempting to kill a wandering trader for their leads, doing so will come at a cost. Each time a player kills a wandering trader, the game reduces an internal “popularity” score. This system is similar to the village popularity system and makes future trader spawns less frequent. The quality of future traders’ trades will also diminish as this score decreases.
No Loot or Experience
It’s important to note that killing wandering traders does not yield any experience points or any loot except for the leads, making the act unprofitable and ultimately detrimental to your gameplay experience.
How to Interact with Wandering Traders
Trading
The main purpose of the wandering trader is to provide access to rare and unique items. He might have rare saplings, flowers, or even blue ice and podzol. One of his most valuable trades involves the Nautilus Shell for 5 Emeralds, which can significantly simplify the process of constructing a conduit.
Taming Llamas
If you kill a wandering trader and stay away from the trader llamas for some time, they will become tame when you get back to them. You will be able to ride them and place carpets on their backs.
Preventing Despawning
While naming a wandering trader or placing them in a boat won’t prevent them from despawning, you can use a command such as /summon wandering_trader {DespawnDelay:500} to increase the time before the despawn. Note that summoning the wandering trader without the DespawnDelay will prevent despawn of the trader. Also, giving a bed to the wandering trader will not make him despawn randomly although you will still need to name him to prevent him from despawning when you go too far.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some additional questions often asked about wandering traders to further clarify how they function within the game.
1. Can wandering traders reproduce?
No, wandering traders cannot reproduce or breed with any other type of villager. Unlike regular villagers, they lack the ability to create offspring and do not interact with beds in the same way.
2. How do I trigger a wandering trader spawn?
You cannot directly trigger a spawn using conventional methods. Wandering traders appear naturally after a specific amount of time. You can, however, use a command such as /summon wandering_trader to summon one whenever you wish.
3. Can wandering traders spawn if the mob cap is full?
Yes, the passive mob cap does not affect the spawn of wandering traders. They can still spawn even if the passive mob cap is reached.
4. Will llamas always spawn with a wandering trader?
Yes, when a wandering trader naturally spawns or is summoned, they will always appear with two leashed llamas.
5. Will a wandering trader ever spawn in the Nether or the End?
No, wandering traders only spawn in the Overworld. They will not appear in other dimensions such as the Nether or the End.
6. Can wandering traders be infected by zombies?
Wandering traders do not become zombie villagers when killed by zombies. They will, however, actively avoid zombies, illagers and vexes, keeping a minimum of eight blocks away.
7. Does trading affect a wandering trader’s despawn time?
No, trading with a wandering trader does not change the despawn time which is fixed at 48,000 ticks. The despawn time timer only pauses if you have the trading UI open.
8. What’s the best wandering trader trade?
Many consider the best trade to be the Nautilus Shell for 5 Emeralds, as it facilitates the construction of conduits.
9. Can I turn a wandering trader into a normal villager?
No, you cannot turn a wandering trader into a normal villager. They are distinct entities with unique behaviors.
10. Can I stop a wandering trader from despawning?
Naming them will not stop them from despawning. However, summoning a wandering trader with a specific command, such as /summon wandering_trader {DespawnDelay:500} can increase their despawn timer.
11. Does a wandering trader need a bed?
Giving a wandering trader a bed will not make them sleep. The bed will stop them from despawning randomly, but you will still need to name them to stop them from despawning when you go too far.
12. How often do wandering traders spawn?
On average, it takes around 14.325 Minecraft days for a wandering trader to spawn, although randomness can make it appear much earlier or much later.
13. Where are wandering traders most likely to spawn?
Wandering traders spawn near the player, usually within a 48-block radius. They also have a higher chance of appearing in villages and near gathering spots.
14. What happens if all the wandering trader’s trades are locked?
If all a wandering trader’s trades are locked, they may despawn faster.
15. Can I breed two normal villager farmers?
Yes, two normal villager farmers can breed if there are beds nearby and they are willing. Willingness depends on feeding them.
By understanding these mechanics, you can make the most of your encounters with wandering traders and appreciate their role in the Minecraft world. These nomadic merchants, though they do not spawn in duplicate, are always an exciting and useful addition to your adventures.