How to Safely Gaze Upon the Void: A Guide to Enderman Etiquette

Ah, the Enderman. Tall, dark, and perpetually perturbed by your staring problem. They’re one of Minecraft’s most iconic mobs, and accidentally making eye contact is a rite of passage for any aspiring adventurer. But fear not, intrepid explorer! There are ways to observe these fascinating creatures without incurring their wrath.

The simplest and most reliable way to look at an Enderman safely is by wearing a carved pumpkin on your head. This completely negates their hostile reaction, allowing you to study them at your leisure. You can also safely observe Endermen through transparent blocks such as glass or glass panes, as they cannot detect your gaze through these barriers.

Understanding Enderman Aggression

Before diving into the how, let’s understand the why. Endermen are coded to become hostile when you look directly at their upper body, specifically around their head. This isn’t a matter of personal offense; it’s simply how they’re programmed. Think of it as an extreme case of personal space.

Safe Viewing Methods: A Detailed Look

The Pumpkin Helmet: Your Best Friend

The carved pumpkin is the gold standard for Enderman-safe viewing. To craft one, simply find a pumpkin, place it down, and use shears to carve a face. Then, equip it in your helmet slot. While your vision will be slightly obscured (a minor inconvenience, really), Endermen will completely ignore your stares. You can even dance in front of them! This method essentially tells the game that you’re “disguised,” and the Endermen don’t recognize you as a threat.

Through the Looking Glass: Transparent Protection

Another effective method is to observe Endermen from behind transparent blocks. Glass, glass panes, and even water will prevent them from becoming hostile. This allows for a clearer view than the pumpkin helmet, making it ideal for building observation posts.

Height Advantage: A Temporary Reprieve

While not a safe viewing method in the strictest sense, knowing how to survive accidental eye contact is crucial. If you accidentally glance at an Enderman, quickly find a space that is only two blocks high. Endermen are three blocks tall and cannot enter these tight spaces, granting you temporary safety. They will still be angry, but at least they can’t reach you.

What to Do if You’re Already Being Attacked

Let’s say you messed up. You forgot your pumpkin, you were admiring one a bit too closely, and now you have an enraged Enderman teleporting around, hissing menacingly. What do you do?

• Water: Endermen hate water. Throwing a water bottle or standing in a shallow pool will cause them to teleport away repeatedly, buying you precious time.
• Rain: Similarly, rain is an Enderman’s worst nightmare. If it’s raining, simply stay outside. They’ll teleport constantly, unable to effectively attack.
• Run: If all else fails, run! Endermen are fast, but you might be able to outmaneuver them, especially if you can navigate through tight spaces.
• Fight Back: If you’re well-equipped, consider fighting back. Endermen are vulnerable to melee attacks.

Debunking Enderman Myths

Like any popular Minecraft mob, Endermen are surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Let’s clear up some of the common ones.

• Myth: Looking at an Enderman’s feet is safe. Fact: Incorrect. You need to avoid looking at the upper part of their body.
• Myth: Endermen hate all blocks. Fact: False. They can pick up blocks, but aren’t inherently hostile to them.
• Myth: White Endermen are super rare and dangerous. Fact: Likely just a bug or a mod.

The Psychological Perspective: Why Do They Care?

While the in-game explanation is simply coding, it’s fun to speculate on the why from a lore perspective. Some theories suggest that Endermen are sensitive about their eyes, viewing direct eye contact as a challenge or an invasion of privacy. Others propose that they are ashamed of their block-stealing habits and become hostile when they feel caught. The true reason remains a mystery, adding to the Enderman’s enigmatic appeal.

Understanding Minecraft and its Impact

Minecraft offers a plethora of opportunities for players to learn and develop crucial skills. From problem-solving and creativity to collaboration and strategic thinking, the game has a lot to offer. Exploring these educational aspects is what we do at Games Learning Society. Check us out at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can revolutionize education.

Conclusion: Respect the Gaze

Endermen are a fascinating and integral part of the Minecraft experience. By understanding their triggers and employing the safe viewing methods outlined above, you can observe these creatures without becoming their next target. Remember to always respect their personal space, and perhaps carry a pumpkin or two – just in case. Happy exploring!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you look at an Enderman through a fence?

No, fences do not provide protection from Enderman aggression. Fences are not considered transparent blocks by the game in this context.

2. Do Endermen stop being angry if you log out?

Yes, logging out resets an Enderman’s aggression. When you rejoin the game, it will no longer be hostile towards you unless you provoke it again.

3. Does the type of pumpkin matter?

No, any carved pumpkin will work, regardless of the design.

4. Can Endermen see you with a dragon head on?

Wearing a dragon head will cause Endermen to follow you, but they will not attack.

5. Can you sleep near an Enderman?

Yes, if the Enderman is not actively hostile, you can sleep in a bed.

6. Why do Endermen hate being looked in the eyes?

The exact reason is unknown, but it is likely part of their coding.

7. Are Baby Enderman real?

Baby Endermen are not part of the vanilla game, they are often added through mods.

8. Can Endermen cry?

Endermen cannot cry in the vanilla game. The notion of “crying Endermen” may refer to modded content or creative interpretations within the Minecraft community.

9. Are green eyed Enderman real?

Green-eyed Endermen are not naturally occurring in the base game, this could be part of a mod.

10. What happens if you stare at an Enderman for too long?

If you stare at an Enderman for too long it becomes angry, and they will attack you.

11. Are Endermen immune to lava?

Endermen are not immune to lava and will take damage from it.

12. Can Endermen drown?

Endermen are not able to swim and will drown if submerged in water for an extended period.

13. Why do Endermen make weird noises?

The weird noises of enderman come from sounds of people saying different words, but they are heavily distorted.

14. What are Endermen really saying?

Enderman idle noises are actually sound clips of various people saying things like “Hi,” “Hey,” “What’s up?” “Hello,” and “Thank you!”.

15. Do Endermen hate Endermite?

Endermen hate Endermites because they are not native to the End and stick to them when teleporting.