Can You Still Tame a Pillager in Minecraft? The Truth Revealed!
The short answer is no, you cannot “tame” a Pillager in Minecraft in the traditional sense of taming an animal. While some older online resources may suggest otherwise, these methods are either outdated, based on misconceptions, or simply don’t work as described. Let’s dive into the intricacies of Pillager behavior and dispel some common myths.
What Does “Taming” Even Mean in Minecraft?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s define what “taming” usually entails in Minecraft. Taming typically involves befriending a neutral or hostile mob, allowing it to follow you, protect you, or perform some other beneficial action. Think of wolves, horses, or parrots. Pillagers, unfortunately, don’t fit into this category.
The Misconception: Breaking the Crossbow
One persistent myth is that breaking a Pillager’s crossbow will somehow tame it. This idea likely stems from the fact that Pillagers use their crossbows extensively. The theory suggests that once the crossbow’s durability of 326 reaches zero (meaning the Pillager has used it 326 times), the Pillager will become docile. This is not true. A Pillager with a broken crossbow will simply resort to melee attacks or attempt to flee. It will still be hostile.
Pillagers: Designed to be Hostile
Pillagers are intentionally designed to be hostile mobs. Their primary purpose is to pose a threat to players, villages, and Wandering Traders. Their behavior is hardcoded to be aggressive, making any form of traditional taming impossible. They hate players, Iron Golems, Wandering Traders and adult villagers.
The Confusion Potion Myth
Another myth suggests that using a Confusion Potion and a Golden Apple can turn a Pillager into a Villager. This is incorrect. The Potion of Weakness and a Golden Apple are used to cure Zombie Villagers, not Pillagers. Applying these items to a Pillager will have no effect other than potentially wasting valuable resources.
Is there any Interaction with Pillagers?
While you can’t tame Pillagers, there are some interactions you can have with them:
- Fighting: Pillagers are primarily combat challenges. Defeating them is the most common interaction.
- Raids: Killing a Pillager Captain (the one with the banner) gives you the Bad Omen effect, which triggers a raid when you enter a village. This is a significant game mechanic involving Pillagers.
- Outposts: Exploring and clearing Pillager Outposts can yield valuable loot, but remember, the Pillagers within will be hostile.
- Farms: Some players build Pillager farms to obtain crossbows, arrows, and other resources. These farms typically involve manipulating Pillager spawning and using traps to eliminate them efficiently.
No Making Friends
While some might wish to befriend a Pillager and have it protect them, this isn’t a feature in the game. You cannot make friends with Pillagers in Minecraft. Their AI is programmed for hostility, preventing any form of amicable interaction. The assertion that a Pillager “only defends you against mobs occasionally as to not make this feature op” is completely unfounded.
Leading Pillagers? Not Quite.
The idea of leading a Pillager around like a pet using a lead is also incorrect. You cannot put a lead on a Pillager or a Villager in the regular version of Minecraft. The mention of putting a villager (or two) into a boat and pulling the boat with a lead is a valid strategy for moving Villagers in Bedrock Edition, but it has nothing to do with Pillagers.
Summoning Pillager Captains
While you cannot “tame” a Pillager, you can summon a Pillager Captain in Bedrock Edition using commands such as /summon pillager ~ ~ ~ minecraft:spawn_as_illager_captain. This command spawns a Pillager with a banner on its head, but it remains hostile and cannot be tamed.
Pillagers Don’t Steal (Exactly)
While the article mentions that “During a raid Pillagers will try to loot chests,” this is not entirely accurate. Pillagers do not actively seek out and steal items from chests or other storage containers. This behavior is not implemented in the game.
FAQs: Pillagers in Minecraft
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nature of Pillagers in Minecraft.
1. Can you turn a Pillager into a Villager?
No, you cannot turn a Pillager into a Villager. This is a common misconception. Pillagers and Villagers are distinct mobs with separate AI and behaviors.
2. How do you summon a tame Pillager?
You cannot summon a tame Pillager. Pillagers are inherently hostile. You can summon a Pillager Captain using commands in Bedrock Edition, but it will still be hostile.
3. Can you make friends with Pillagers in Minecraft?
No, you cannot make friends with Pillagers in Minecraft. Their AI is programmed for hostility.
4. Can you leash a Pillager?
No, you cannot put a lead on a Pillager in Minecraft.
5. What happens if I hit a Pillager?
The Pillager will attack you. If you kill a Pillager Captain, you will receive the Bad Omen status effect.
6. Can you make a Pillager leader?
In Bedrock Edition, you can summon a Pillager Captain using the /summon command, effectively creating a “leader” in terms of raid mechanics, but it’s still hostile.
7. Do Pillagers steal your stuff?
Pillagers do not actively steal items from chests or other storage containers.
8. Why are Pillagers staring at me?
Pillagers point their crossbows at any player or mob they are targeting. This behavior is part of their combat AI. They will stare even when in Creative mode or when you have invisibility.
9. What can you do with Pillagers?
Pillagers are primarily combat challenges. You can fight them, trigger raids by killing Pillager Captains, or build farms to obtain resources from them.
10. Can Pillagers wear armor?
Yes, a dispenser can equip a Pillager with armor, but the armor is not visually rendered on the Pillager.
11. What are the bad guys in Minecraft with crossbows?
Pillagers are the primary hostile mobs that use crossbows.
12. Do bells make Pillagers glow?
No, bells do not make Pillagers glow in the base game. However, in a raid when the bell rings you will be able to locate them.
13. What is the difference between Illager and Pillager?
“Illager” is a broader term encompassing various hostile humanoid mobs, including Pillagers, Vindicators, Evokers, and Illusioners. Pillagers are a specific type of Illager.
14. What do Pillagers hate?
Pillagers are hostile toward players, Iron Golems, Wandering Traders, and adult villagers.
15. Can Pillagers see you through glass?
Yes, mobs can see through glass, stained glass, glass panes, and stained glass panes.
In Conclusion: Focus on Strategy, Not Taming
While the idea of taming a Pillager might be appealing, it’s simply not possible within the current mechanics of Minecraft. Instead of trying to befriend these hostile mobs, focus on developing effective strategies for combating them, navigating raids, and securing valuable resources from Pillager Outposts. Remember to stay informed about the latest Minecraft updates and features to ensure you have accurate information. Explore the world of game-based learning by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to discover more about the educational aspects of gaming.