How to Obtain the Elusive Totem of Undying in Minecraft

The Totem of Undying is a highly sought-after and precious item in Minecraft, renowned for its ability to grant players a second chance at life. This powerful artifact can be a game-changer, especially in challenging scenarios where death looms large. But how exactly do you get your hands on this coveted item? The answer lies in defeating a specific type of hostile mob: the Evoker.

Locating and Defeating Evokers

The primary method for obtaining a Totem of Undying involves confronting Evokers, magical illagers who are the sole source of this powerful artifact. Evokers can be found in two main locations: Woodland Mansions and during Raids.

Woodland Mansions

Woodland Mansions are rare, sprawling structures that generate in Dark Forest biomes. These mansions are brimming with hostile mobs, including Evokers. When exploring a mansion, you’ll encounter various rooms, and Evokers typically spawn in specific, designated rooms upon the mansion’s initial generation. It is important to note that these Evokers do not respawn after they are killed, making each encounter a crucial one. Upon defeating an Evoker in a Woodland Mansion, it will always drop one Totem of Undying.

Triggering a Raid

Another way to find Evokers, and thus obtain Totems of Undying, is by triggering a Raid. Raids are triggered when a player with the Bad Omen status effect enters a village. To acquire this effect, you must first defeat a Pillager Captain. Pillager Captains are distinguishable by the ominous banner they carry above their heads and are commonly found at Pillager Outposts.

Once a Pillager Captain is defeated, the player will receive the Bad Omen effect. Upon entering a village with this effect active, a Raid will commence. During a Raid, multiple waves of hostile mobs, including Evokers, will spawn. While Evokers in Raids are not guaranteed to spawn in every raid wave, they are a guaranteed part of later waves in the raid. Once defeated, the Raid Evokers, similarly to their counterparts in woodland mansions, will always drop one Totem of Undying.

How to Use the Totem of Undying

The Totem of Undying only becomes effective when it is held in the player’s main hand or offhand. Simply having it in the inventory or hotbar will not activate its protective power. The Totem of Undying works by preventing an otherwise fatal blow that the player would receive. If a player has a Totem of Undying equipped and receives damage that would normally lead to death, the totem will instantly activate.

Activation Effects

Upon activation, the Totem of Undying grants the player a temporary shield of Absorption II, which provides four extra yellow hearts that absorb damage for 5 seconds. In addition, the player will receive the Fire Resistance status effect for 40 seconds, providing a buffer against lava and other fire-based dangers. Importantly, the Totem is consumed in the process, disappearing from the player’s inventory after saving them. Due to its temporary nature, the player is not truly invulnerable from the initial death as it simply stalls the players actual death should further threats persist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the chances of getting a Totem of Undying?

Each Evoker, whether found in a Woodland Mansion or during a Raid, always drops a single Totem of Undying upon death. There is no random chance of getting or not getting one.

2. Can I get a Totem of Undying in easy mode?

Yes, you can obtain Totems of Undying in any difficulty mode, including easy mode. The key is to defeat the Evoker, regardless of the game’s difficulty.

3. What happens if I fall into the void with a Totem of Undying?

If a player falls into the void while holding a Totem of Undying, the totem will activate and teleport the player back up to the nearest land rather than the usual game over screen.

4. Can I enchant a Totem of Undying?

There is a mythical, “Enchanted Totem of Undying” with a purple glint that is spoken about by the community. The only way to obtain this version is through mods. In vanilla Minecraft, Totems of Undying cannot be enchanted by regular means.

5. Can you obtain a Totem of Undying from a Pillager Outpost?

No, you cannot obtain a Totem of Undying directly from Pillager Outposts. You must kill the Pillager Captain there to acquire the Bad Omen effect, which in turn, triggers a Raid, thus giving a possibility to find an evoker and obtain a totem of undying.

6. What happens if a mob uses a Totem of Undying?

If a mob, like a Zombie or a Skeleton, holds a Totem of Undying and takes fatal damage, they will be resurrected, similar to a player. However, they will not receive the same status effects (Absorption and Fire Resistance) as a player does. The same effect applies to Foxes that hold this item.

7. Does the Totem of Undying protect against lava?

Yes, the Totem of Undying’s Fire Resistance effect can protect against lava. The Totem will provide a 40 second window to escape the hazard. However, be warned that once the effect wears off, you can still be susceptible to the lava.

8. How many hearts does the Totem of Undying give?

The Totem of Undying grants Absorption II, providing 4 temporary yellow hearts that act as a shield and absorb damage for 5 seconds.

9. Is the Totem of Undying rare?

The Totem of Undying is considered rare due to the fact that the Evokers that carry them are only found in specific locations, like Woodland Mansions and during Raids, and do not respawn once killed, making each opportunity to obtain them a limited one.

10. What is the “Gold” Totem of Undying?

There is no “gold” Totem of Undying in the game. The Totem of Undying is always the same color, with the only variation being the unofficial “enchanted” version. It’s possible this “gold” version is a mistaken version or a modded item that has appeared throughout the Minecraft community.

11. Can Totems of Undying be stacked?

No, Totems of Undying cannot be stacked in the inventory. Each totem takes up its own slot.

12. Why didn’t I get a Totem of Undying?

If you did not get a Totem of Undying, it is likely because the Evoker was not defeated. Ensure that the Evoker is actually killed, as this is the only way they drop the Totem of Undying.

13. Does the Evoker respawn?

Evokers do not respawn in Woodland Mansions. Once an Evoker has been defeated in a specific mansion room, it is gone for good. Evokers within raids will not respawn after their original spawn during a raid wave.

14. Can a Totem of Undying give water breathing?

While not directly, the Totem of Undying’s primary purpose isn’t to give water breathing, but it can buy you some time. The Totem will not prevent death by drowning, but it may stall it. The same could be said about the players hunger, it will not protect from starvation death, but it can stall it due to the absorption hearts it provides upon activation.

15. Can Allays use a Totem of Undying?

Yes, Allays can use Totems of Undying. Similar to other mobs, if an Allay holding a Totem of Undying takes fatal damage, it will be resurrected, but without the status effects a player would receive. If this happens, the allay will no longer be holding any items and therefore, will not be able to be punched by their owner, and also won’t be able to follow the owner either.

Conclusion

The Totem of Undying is a powerful and rare item that can be the difference between life and death in Minecraft. By exploring Woodland Mansions and participating in Raids, players can reliably acquire these invaluable artifacts. Remember to keep the Totem in your main or offhand and be mindful that it is consumed upon use, so make sure to replenish your supply frequently. Happy adventuring!