How to Bring Allays Home in Minecraft: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon the adorable, blue, winged wonder that is the Allay in Minecraft and now you’re wondering how to get it back to your base safe and sound? Fear not, intrepid adventurer! Bringing these helpful little sprites home is simpler than crafting a wooden pickaxe, but it does require a bit of know-how. Here’s the definitive guide.

The core principle is simple: Allays follow the player holding an item they are given. Give an Allay an item, and it will doggedly pursue you, dropping off gathered items near a Note Block (more on that later). But the devil, as always, is in the details.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved in a successful Allay relocation operation:

1. Free the Allay: Allays are typically found trapped in Pillager Outposts or Woodland Mansions. Break the cage to release them. Be prepared for potential hostile mobs!

2. The Offering: Approach the Allay and give it an item. This is done by simply having an item selected in your hotbar and right-clicking (or using the equivalent interaction button on your console or mobile device) while looking at the Allay. The Allay will take the item, and its primary objective becomes following you (and searching for more of the same item).

3. The Journey: Now comes the transportation phase. Be mindful that Allays are relatively slow, and certain travel methods are less effective.

4. Secure the Arrival: Once you’re at your base, you need a method to keep your Allay from wandering off. This is where the Note Block comes in.

Let’s delve into the details of each step to make sure your Allay arrives home safe and ready to assist.

Detailed Steps for a Successful Allay Homecoming

Freeing Your Allay: A Rescue Mission

Allays are commonly found imprisoned in Pillager Outposts and Woodland Mansions. These locations are typically dangerous, so preparation is key. Bring appropriate armor, weapons, and healing items. Scout the area before blindly rushing in. Once you’ve located a cage, break it open to free the Allay.

The Item of Allegiance: The Key to Following

The most important step is giving the Allay an item. This simple act binds it to you, ensuring it will follow you. The item can be anything you want: a piece of dirt, a valuable diamond, even a piece of junk. However, choose an item that you won’t need back immediately, as the Allay will be holding it for the journey.

Important considerations:

• Direct Interaction: You must directly interact with the Allay while holding the item in your hand. Don’t just drop the item on the ground; it won’t work.

• Item Quantity: The quantity of the item doesn’t matter. The Allay will only hold one, regardless of how many are in the stack you offer.

The Perilous Journey: Transportation Tactics

Getting your Allay home can be tricky, as they aren’t the speediest creatures. Here’s a breakdown of the best transportation methods and the ones to avoid:

• Walking/Running: This is the most reliable, but also the slowest method. Clear a safe path ahead of you to minimize the risk of the Allay getting stuck or attacked by mobs.

• Minecarts: Allays can ride in minecarts! This can be a faster and safer alternative to walking, especially over long distances or through dangerous terrain. Make sure your minecart tracks are secure and free of obstacles.

• Boats: Similar to minecarts, Allays can ride in boats. This is a good option for traveling across bodies of water. Again, ensure the waterway is clear and free of obstacles.

• Portals: Allays can travel through nether portals, but it isn’t without its drawbacks. They teleport to you if they are within 21 blocks horizontally to the player or if they are within 22 blocks vertically of the player’s legs.

• Elytra: Avoid using elytra when transporting Allays! They cannot keep up, and you’ll quickly lose them.

Securing Your Allay: The Note Block Solution

Once you’ve arrived at your base, you need a way to prevent your Allay from wandering off. This is where the Note Block comes into play. Allays will attempt to deliver collected items near the last played Note Block.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Placement: Place a Note Block in a central, safe location in your base.

2. Activation: Activate the Note Block by right-clicking it. The Allay will remember the sound of that Note Block.

3. Item Delivery: When the Allay has collected items of the type it’s holding, it will attempt to deliver them near that specific Note Block.

Using this system, you can effectively create a collection point for your Allay’s gathered items. If you want the Allay to stop fetching items, you can take the item back by interacting with the Allay with an empty hand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Allays

1. Can Allays be tamed like dogs or cats?

No, Allays cannot be tamed in the traditional sense. You cannot permanently bind them to you in the same way you would a wolf or a cat. However, giving them an item makes them follow you, and using a Note Block provides a designated area for them to bring collected items.

2. What happens if an Allay is holding a Totem of Undying?

If an Allay is holding a Totem of Undying and uses it, the Allay will no longer be holding an item. As a result, it will stop following you and can be accidentally harmed by its former owner.

3. How do I stop Allays from despawning?

Allays despawn under specific circumstances. An Allay can despawn after being given an item if they haven’t picked up any items yet. To prevent despawning, ensure the Allay picks up at least one item after being given something to hold. Using a Name Tag on an Allay also prevents it from despawning entirely, regardless of whether they’ve picked up items or not.

4. Can Allays pick up items through walls?

No, Allays cannot pick up items through walls or other solid blocks. They need a clear path to the item.

5. Can Allays be leashed?

Yes, Allays can be leashed. You can tie them to a fence post or other stationary object to keep them in one place. However, they will not travel through portals if they are tethered with a lead, regardless of how close they are to the player.

6. What kills Allays?

Allays are relatively fragile. They can be killed by hostile mobs, falling from great heights, suffocation within blocks, prolonged underwater submersion, and fire damage. They die from two hits of a diamond sword or four hits of an iron sword.

7. Can I give Allays any item?

Yes, you can give Allays almost any item in the game. However, the Allay will only search for items that match the specific type of item it’s holding.

8. Can Allays duplicate?

Yes! You can duplicate Allays. You’ll need three things: a Jukebox, a music disc, and an Amethyst Shard. Play the music disc in the Jukebox while near an Allay, then give the Allay an Amethyst Shard. If another Allay is nearby, they will perform a dance, and a new Allay will spawn.

9. Do Allays spawn in Peaceful mode?

Yes, Allays do spawn in Peaceful mode, primarily in Pillager Outposts and Woodland Mansions.

10. Can Allays access chests?

No, Allays cannot open chests.

11. Can Allays get stuck?

Yes, Allays can get stuck, particularly in small spaces or within non-full blocks like fences. Be mindful of your base design and ensure there are no areas where your Allays could become trapped.

12. Can Allays be used in farms?

Yes, Allays are incredibly useful in redstone farms, particularly for sorting non-stackable items. They can be used in raid farms to sort Totems of Undying and in drowned farms to sort Tridents. Their ability to pick up and deliver specific items makes them invaluable for automated sorting systems. GamesLearningSociety.org provides resources for redstone expertise to help make this happen.

13. Why do Allays look like Vexes?

The resemblance between Allays and Vexes is purely aesthetic, but there have been community theories. One such theory is that if an Allay is to close to an Evoker for too long, it will get transformed into a Vex. Regardless, the two mobs have vastly different behaviors and roles in the game.

14. What is the range of an Allay’s item search?

Allays have a substantial search range, but it’s not infinite. If you need them to search a large area, it’s best to position them centrally within that area. They can also be relocated as needed to cover different regions.

15. What are the structures that Allays spawn in?

Allays primarily spawn in two structures: Pillager Outposts and Woodland Mansions. Both of these structures are challenging to navigate, and are often heavily guarded by hostile mobs. This makes rescuing Allays a potentially dangerous, but ultimately rewarding, endeavor.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-equipped to bring your Allays home safely and put them to work in your Minecraft world! Enjoy your new, blue, winged assistants!