Can You Make Pigmen Follow You in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Nether, a fiery and dangerous dimension in Minecraft, is home to the Piglins, a curious and often hostile mob. Can you actually make these gold-obsessed creatures follow you? The short answer is yes, but with some very specific conditions. While you can’t permanently “tame” them in the traditional sense, you can influence their behavior to make them follow and even assist you. This article will delve into the nuances of Piglin behavior, exploring how you can leverage their love of gold, and answering some of the most frequently asked questions about interacting with these fascinating Nether inhabitants.
Manipulating Piglin Behavior: The Key to Following
The core mechanic behind getting Piglins to follow you relies on their obsession with gold. Wearing gold armor is the first step. Without it, they will be immediately hostile. However, simply wearing gold isn’t enough to make them followers.
Bartering: A Temporary Truce
The most common way to interact with Piglins is through bartering. If you throw a gold ingot near a Piglin, they will pick it up, examine it, and then throw back a random item. While this doesn’t make them follow you directly, it’s a crucial step towards potentially influencing their behavior.
Offering Treats: Temporary Allegiance
According to some accounts, offering Piglins certain food items, like potatoes or carrots, can make them passive temporarily. Moreover, repeatedly offering these snacks may result in the Piglin temporarily following you and protecting you for a short period of time.
A Grand Proposal: Gold Armor and Allied Support
Imagine a scenario where, wearing full golden armor, the Piglins don’t just tolerate you, but actively ally with you. This could be achieved by introducing a mechanic where, upon reaching a certain “trust level” (perhaps after bartering multiple times while wearing full gold armor), a Piglin would begin to follow you. To balance this, a limit of around 3 allied Piglins could be imposed. These allied Piglins would then follow the player and help them fight off hostile mobs within the Nether, effectively acting as companions. However, if the player hits them, then the Piglins should attack the player.
The Zombie Pigman Confusion
It’s important to distinguish Piglins from Zombie Pigmen (now officially called Zombified Piglins). These are different mobs with distinct behaviors. Zombie Pigmen are generally neutral unless provoked, while Piglins are hostile unless you’re wearing gold. Zombie Pigmen were formerly attracted by a golden carrot. However, they were easily provoked. They will forgive you if you die. If
Piglin AI and the Potential for Modding
The current in-game behavior of Piglins offers a solid foundation for modders to create more intricate interactions. Mods could introduce quests, complex bartering systems, or even a true “taming” mechanic that allows players to permanently recruit Piglins as allies. This would expand the gameplay options significantly and add a new layer of depth to the Nether experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Piglin Behavior
Here are some frequently asked questions about interacting with Piglins in Minecraft:
1. Why do Piglins attack me?
Piglins are hostile towards players who aren’t wearing at least one piece of gold armor. They also attack players who attack other Piglins or Piglin Brutes, or who break gold ore blocks near them.
2. How do I stop Piglins from attacking me?
Simply wear any piece of gold armor. This includes a gold helmet, chestplate, leggings, or boots.
3. Can I befriend a Piglin?
Not permanently, in the traditional sense. However, offering them gold ingots through bartering can create a temporary truce. It may be possible to get them to be passive if they are offered potatoes and/or carrots, but this is not certain.
4. What is bartering with Piglins?
Bartering involves throwing a gold ingot near a Piglin. They will pick it up, examine it, and then throw a random item back at you. This is a risky but potentially rewarding way to obtain valuable resources.
5. What items can Piglins give me through bartering?
Piglins can give you a variety of items, including Obsidian, Ender Pearls, Fire Resistance Potions, and even Netherite scraps. The items are given at random.
6. Will Piglins attack me if I open a chest near them?
Yes, Piglins will attack you if you open chests, barrels, or other storage blocks near them. They view this as stealing.
7. Are Piglin Brutes more dangerous than regular Piglins?
Yes. Piglin Brutes are stronger, more resilient, and don’t require gold armor to be hostile towards players.
8. Can Piglins open doors?
Yes, like villagers, piglins can open and close wooden doors but cannot open fence gates, all trapdoors, and iron doors.
9. Are Piglins afraid of anything?
Yes, Piglins are terrified of soul fire, the blue variant of fire found in soul sand valley biomes.
10. What happens if I hit a Piglin by accident?
All nearby Piglins will become hostile towards you. It’s best to avoid hitting them at all costs.
11. Do Piglins turn into Zombified Piglins in the Overworld?
Yes, when brought into the Overworld or the End, Piglins and Piglin Brutes will transform into Zombified Piglins after about 15 seconds.
12. Are Piglins immune to fire?
Piglins are not naturally immune to fire or lava, but the Zombified piglins are immune to fire and lava.
13. Why won’t the piglins take my gold?
Piglins will not pick up gold ingots if they are not on the same block as the Piglin. Make sure the gold is directly next to them.
14. Can you get Netherite from Piglins?
Yes, Piglins can trade Netherite Scraps in exchange for gold ingots. This is one of the few methods available.
15. What happens if you hit a Zombie Pigman in the overworld?
Attacking a Zombie Pigman that spawns in the overworld will provoke Zombie Pigmen in the Nether. This can also happen the other way around if there is a Zombie Pigman already spawned in the overworld. A player’s death does not cause Zombie Pigmen to become neutral towards them, whether caused by the pigmen or not.
Conclusion: Mastering Piglin Interaction
While truly “taming” Piglins remains a dream, understanding their behavior and leveraging their obsession with gold allows for complex and engaging interactions. By mastering the art of bartering, and strategic use of gold armor, players can navigate the Nether with a degree of control over these fascinating creatures. As Minecraft continues to evolve, the potential for even deeper Piglin interactions remains a tantalizing possibility.