How Long Does It Take for a Villager to Convert Back? A Comprehensive Guide
The process of converting a zombie villager back into a normal villager is a fascinating mechanic in Minecraft, and understanding the timing is key for any aspiring village rescuer. The duration isn’t simply fixed; it depends on the specific actions you take and the version of Minecraft you’re playing.
The most direct answer to the question, “How long does it take for a villager to convert back?” is:
- Without player intervention: A zombie villager will never naturally convert back into a normal villager on its own. It will remain a zombie villager indefinitely unless specific actions are taken. This means that a zombie villager is a permanent threat to other villagers until cured.
- With player intervention: The conversion time depends on the edition of Minecraft you are playing:
- Minecraft Bedrock Edition: Once you feed a golden apple to a zombie villager that has been affected with a splash potion of weakness, it takes approximately 1-2 minutes for the cure to take full effect.
- Minecraft Java Edition: After administering the splash potion of weakness and golden apple, the conversion process takes 3-5 minutes for the zombie villager to become a normal villager.
It’s crucial to note that the potion of weakness and the golden apple must both be used to initiate the curing process. Simply feeding a golden apple or splashing weakness on its own will have no effect. Furthermore, ensuring the zombie villager’s safety during this curing period is vital, so placing the villager in a safe, enclosed area is often recommended.
Understanding the Curing Process
The process of curing a zombie villager is fairly straightforward, but it does require a bit of preparation and a quick hand:
- Isolate the Zombie Villager: You’ll want to move the zombie villager to a safe location, like a small enclosed space made of fences or blocks. This prevents other zombies from interfering or attacking the villager while it’s vulnerable and also helps ensure that other villagers are not attacked in the process.
- Apply the Splash Potion of Weakness: You need to throw a splash potion of weakness directly at the zombie villager. You’ll know you’ve been successful when it starts shaking.
- Feed a Golden Apple: After the potion takes effect, you must approach the zombie villager and use a golden apple on it. The villager will then start to shake and emit red smoke particles. This signifies the curing process has begun.
- Wait for the Conversion: As mentioned before, now you must wait for the conversion process to complete. This is where the 1-2 minutes (Bedrock) or 3-5 minutes (Java) timing is important, and remember not to do anything to the villager. Once the cure is complete, it will transform back into a normal villager.
What to Expect During the Conversion
During the waiting period, the zombie villager will make distressed noises and shake. This period is critical; if the villager is attacked or damaged, the conversion might be interrupted. It’s important to be vigilant and ensure the villager is fully cured without any interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into the curing of zombie villagers and related mechanics:
1. Can a zombie villager convert back naturally without my help?
No, zombie villagers will not naturally convert back to normal villagers. They require specific actions from the player, namely the application of a splash potion of weakness and a golden apple.
2. Is the conversion time the same for all versions of Minecraft?
No, the conversion time differs between editions. Bedrock Edition requires 1-2 minutes, while Java Edition takes 3-5 minutes after administering the potion and golden apple.
3. What happens if I attack the zombie villager during the cure?
Attacking a zombie villager while it’s in the curing process will interrupt the cure. You may need to re-administer the splash potion of weakness and the golden apple to restart the process.
4. How do I obtain a splash potion of weakness?
You can craft a splash potion of weakness by combining a fermented spider eye with a water bottle to create a potion of weakness, and then combining that with gunpowder.
5. What is the easiest way to get a golden apple?
Golden apples can be found in chests in various generated structures. However, crafting one is more reliable. Combine eight gold ingots and a single apple at a crafting table to make one.
6. How many times can I cure a villager?
You can cure a villager up to five times. Each successful cure lowers their trading prices, leading to significant discounts, but many SMP servers will cap this at one or two cures to avoid excessively low prices.
7. Why is it beneficial to cure zombie villagers?
Curing zombie villagers results in permanent trading discounts with the player who administered the cure. Curing a villager multiple times can bring prices to the minimum of one emerald.
8. Can a baby zombie villager be cured?
Yes, baby zombie villagers can be cured just like adult zombie villagers using the same method (splash potion of weakness and golden apple). They’ll convert back into baby villagers after being cured.
9. Do villagers get discounts on trades when I cure them?
Yes, when you cure a villager, the player who cures it gets a permanent discount on trades with that specific villager.
10. What happens if a zombie kills a villager?
If a zombie kills a villager, there is a chance it will transform into a zombie villager. This chance is 0% on Easy, 50% on Normal, and 100% on Hard difficulty.
11. How do I protect villagers from zombies?
The best way to protect villagers is to build secure enclosures or walls around the village that zombies cannot easily breach. Ensure that villagers cannot get within reach of hostile mobs and that the areas they reside in are always lit up to prevent mob spawns.
12. Why are my villager’s prices so high?
Villager prices can increase due to several reasons. Demand for items, being hit by the player, poor trading history, and gossip are factors that affect the price. Curing a villager will lower their prices; therefore, it may benefit you to intentionally have them infected and cure them.
13. Can other mobs cause villagers to become zombie villagers?
Yes, drowned zombies can also turn villagers into zombie villagers under the same probability rules as regular zombies.
14. Is there any advantage to letting zombie villagers convert over time without using the golden apple?
No, there is absolutely no way to get a zombie villager to convert back to a normal villager without human intervention. You must throw a splash potion of weakness on the villager and then feed the villager a golden apple.
15. Why do villagers run away from zombies?
Villagers have a fear of zombies, and they will run from them if they get too close. Villagers need to see two others and they need to be within 10 blocks of each other. Villagers also need to sleep, so the line of sight to the zombie needs to be interrupted from time to time.
By understanding these mechanics and frequently asked questions, players can effectively manage their village populations, secure better trades, and become expert village protectors in the world of Minecraft. Remember, the time it takes to cure a villager may vary, so planning and patience are essential. Happy gaming!