Does Looting Work on Drowned in Minecraft? A Deep Dive
Yes, Looting enchantment does indeed work on Drowned in Minecraft, affecting the drop rates of certain items. Specifically, it increases the number of Rotten Flesh dropped, and most importantly (but indirectly), it can impact your chances of getting rare items like Tridents and Gold Ingots when they are held as naturally spawned equipment. Let’s dive into the specifics of how looting works on drowned and dispel some common misconceptions.
How Looting Affects Drowned Drops
The primary effect of the Looting enchantment on Drowned is to increase the amount of Rotten Flesh they drop upon death. Without Looting, a Drowned will typically drop 0-2 pieces of Rotten Flesh. With Looting III, this range increases to 0-5 pieces.
Here’s a breakdown:
- No Looting: 0-2 Rotten Flesh
- Looting I: 0-3 Rotten Flesh
- Looting II: 0-4 Rotten Flesh
- Looting III: 0-5 Rotten Flesh
While this might not seem like a significant bonus, it’s the secondary effect of Looting that’s of real interest to most players. Drowned often spawn with equipment, such as Tridents, Gold Ingots, Fishing Rods, or Nautilus Shells. Looting increases the chance that these equipped items will drop in addition to the normal Rotten Flesh.
It’s crucial to understand that Looting doesn’t directly increase the chance of a Drowned spawning with a Trident. That spawn rate remains constant, at 15% in Bedrock Edition and 6.25% in Java Edition. What Looting does is significantly improve your chances of actually receiving the Trident if a Drowned happens to be holding one.
The Trident Drop Conundrum
The base chance of a Drowned dropping a Trident they are holding is only 8.5%. This is a low number, and it contributes to the perceived rarity of Tridents in Minecraft. With Looting III, this chance increases to 11.5%. That may not sound like much, but over time, the difference is noticeable.
The perception that Looting has little effect on Trident drops arises from the inherent rarity of both the Trident-wielding Drowned and the drop chance itself. Players can kill hundreds of Drowned without seeing a single Trident, leading to frustration and the belief that Looting isn’t working. But statistically, Looting does increase your odds, even if it doesn’t guarantee a quick result.
Beyond Tridents: Other Loot Benefits
While the Trident is the most sought-after item, remember that Drowned can also spawn with Gold Ingots, Fishing Rods, and Nautilus Shells. Looting also improves your chances of obtaining these items if the Drowned is carrying them. This makes Looting a valuable enchantment for farming Drowned in general, even if you’re not specifically after Tridents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Drowned and Looting
Let’s address some common questions and clear up any remaining confusion about Drowned, Looting, and their loot drops.
1. Does Luck of the Sea affect Drowned drops?
Luck of the Sea enchantment only affects loot obtained from fishing, so this has no effect on drowned drops.
2. What is the best weapon for farming Drowned?
A sword with both Looting III and Sharpness V (or similar damage-enhancing enchantments) is ideal for quickly and efficiently dispatching Drowned. A trident with Impaling V can also be effective, especially underwater.
3. Can I increase the Drowned spawn rate?
You can indirectly influence the Drowned spawn rate by creating dark, flooded areas where they can spawn naturally. The darker and larger the area, the more Drowned will spawn. Removing light sources and ensuring sufficient water depth are key. This can be achieved by designing a Drowned farm.
4. Do Drowned spawn in all ocean biomes?
Drowned will naturally spawn at light level of 7 or less in ocean biomes (all variants (except Warm Ocean)), and in river and swamp biomes. They spawn throughout a body of water. They will not spawn above sea level.
5. How do I make a Drowned farm?
A Drowned farm typically involves creating a large, dark, flooded area where Drowned can spawn. The Drowned are then funneled into a collection point, often through the use of water currents and drops, where the player can safely kill them. There are numerous designs available online.
6. Is it possible to get a Trident from a Drowned without Looting?
Yes, it is possible. The base chance of a Drowned dropping a Trident they are holding is 8.5%. However, Looting significantly increases this chance, making it much more efficient to farm Tridents with a Looting-enchanted weapon.
7. What is the difference between Java and Bedrock Edition Drowned spawn rates?
The primary difference is the chance of a Drowned spawning with a Trident. In Bedrock Edition, the chance is 15%, while in Java Edition, it’s 6.25%. This makes farming Tridents generally easier in Bedrock.
8. Can baby Drowned drop Tridents?
No, only adult Drowned can spawn with and drop Tridents. Baby Drowned only drop Rotten Flesh.
9. Do tamed wolves increase Drowned drops?
The article states “Adult drowned drop 5 and an additional 1–3 per naturally-spawned equipment if killed by a player or tamed wolf.” It’s important to recognize this is not a recognized mechanic within the game.
10. Do Drowned despawn?
Yes, Drowned despawn under the same conditions as other hostile mobs. If they are too far from a player or if the chunk they are in is unloaded, they may despawn. This is why effective Drowned farms require keeping the spawning area within a loaded chunk.
11. Does difficulty setting affect Drowned drops?
No, the game difficulty (Easy, Normal, Hard) does not directly affect the drop rates of items from Drowned, including Tridents. However, difficulty does influence the damage dealt by Drowned and the number of mobs that spawn in general.
12. Can I use a grindstone to remove Looting from a sword?
Yes, you can use a grindstone to remove Looting from a sword. However, be aware that this will also remove any other non-curse enchantments on the sword. An anvil is generally preferable if you want to preserve other enchantments.
13. What is the most efficient way to get a Trident?
The most efficient way to obtain a Trident is to create a Drowned farm in a river biome (due to higher spawn rates) and kill Drowned with a sword enchanted with Looting III. Persistence is key!
14. Is there a way to guarantee a Trident drop from a Drowned?
No, there is no way to guarantee a Trident drop. The drops are based on chance, even with Looting III. However, increasing the number of Drowned you kill increases your probability of finding one.
15. Can Drowned turn into Zombies?
The opposite is true. Zombies can turn into Drowned if they are submerged in water for a certain period. This mechanic can be exploited in zombie-to-Drowned conversion farms.
Conclusion
While Looting may not seem like a game-changer when farming Drowned for Tridents, it demonstrably improves your odds of getting those rare drops. By understanding how Looting affects Drowned drops and by employing efficient farming techniques, you can significantly increase your chances of acquiring the coveted Trident. Remember, Minecraft is a game of patience and persistence; keep slaying those Drowned, and your efforts will eventually be rewarded!
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