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Conquering the Outpost: Does Destroying a Pillager Outpost Stop Spawning?

The short answer is no, simply destroying a pillager outpost will not stop pillagers from spawning in the area. Think of the outpost as more of a marker than a factory. It signifies a region where the game is primed to generate these hostile mobs. To truly quell the pillager threat, you need to understand the underlying spawning mechanics at play and take specific preventative measures. Let’s dive into the details to help you reclaim your Minecraft world.

Understanding Pillager Spawning Mechanics

Pillagers are programmed to spawn within a specific volume centered around the outpost’s top floor. The exact dimensions are a 72x54x72 block volume. Crucially, this volume remains active regardless of the outpost’s physical presence.

Here’s what dictates whether a pillager appears:

Spawnable Blocks: Pillagers need a solid, opaque block to spawn on. This includes grass, sand, and other building blocks. Transparent blocks like glass and half-slabs are safe, as no mob can spawn on them.
Light Levels: The game checks for both sky light level and block light level. Pillagers can spawn on any opaque block if the sky light level is 11 or lower, and the block light level is 8 or lower. However, they can spawn on grass or sand regardless of sky light level.
Spawn Attempts: The game actively attempts to spawn pillager patrols every 10 minutes, with roughly a 20% success rate. This is a separate system, not directly tied to the outpost structure.

Effective Strategies to Stop Pillager Spawns

Since destroying the outpost alone isn’t enough, here’s a comprehensive approach to permanently deter pillagers:

Complete Area Coverage: Identify the 72x54x72 block volume centered on where the top of the pillager outpost used to be.
Block Manipulation: Replace all grass, sand, and other spawnable blocks within this area with transparent blocks like glass, bottom slabs, stairs, or carpet. Bottom slabs are a particularly good choice, as they are relatively cheap and readily available. The same applies to carpet.
Light It Up: Increase the block light level above 8 in the spawn area. This can be achieved by placing torches, lanterns, glowstone, or other light sources strategically.
Consider Water: While pillagers can spawn on grass and sand blocks regardless of the sky light level, it’s worth filling in bodies of water with blocks that are not grass or sand if they are within the spawnable block range.
Address Underground Areas: Don’t forget that pillagers can spawn in caves and underground areas underneath the outpost if these areas fulfill the spawning conditions. Thoroughly explore and apply the above strategies to these underground regions as well.

The Importance of Illumination and Blocking

The combination of transparent blocks and high light levels is the key to success. Transparent blocks prevent any mob from spawning, while light prevents spawns if opaque blocks are present. Think of it as a two-pronged approach to total mob control!

Utilizing Pillager Outposts Defensively

Interestingly, the article mentions using pillagers as defense. While not a conventional strategy, in a PvP environment, a controlled pillager spawn area could present a challenge to enemy players. However, this requires careful management and is a risky proposition. It can also be used to gain the Bad Omen effect if you kill the captain on top of the outpost.

FAQs: Pillager Outposts and Spawning

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and dispel any remaining doubts:

If I completely flatten the area around a pillager outpost, will they still spawn?

Yes, pillagers can still spawn if you only flatten the area but leave spawnable blocks like grass or sand in the 72x54x72 volume. The key is to replace those blocks with transparent alternatives and/or illuminate the area.
Can pillagers spawn inside my base if it’s near an outpost?

Yes, if your base falls within the pillager spawning volume and has spawnable blocks with low light levels, pillagers can spawn inside. Extend your anti-spawn measures outwards from the outpost’s location.
Does destroying the tower affect the frequency of pillager patrols?

No, the frequency of pillager patrols is independent of the outpost structure. They will spawn periodically across the world, regardless of whether an outpost is present.
Can pillagers spawn on trees?

Pillagers can spawn on trees, if the sky light level is 11 or lower and the block light level is 8 or lower.
What is the most efficient way to light up a large area to prevent pillager spawns?

Using lanterns spaced regularly is a good option. If you have access to end rods, these can be placed underwater to light up aquatic areas.
If I build a wall around the outpost, will it stop pillagers from spawning outside the wall?

No, a wall won’t prevent spawning. The game checks spawning conditions within the defined volume, not whether there are obstacles in the way.
Can I use commands to stop pillagers from spawning?

Yes, you can use the /gamerule doMobSpawning false command to disable all mob spawning, including pillagers. However, this will also affect all other hostile and passive mobs. A more targeted approach is to use structure blocks or the /fill command to replace spawnable blocks in the area with non-spawnable ones.
Do pillager outposts generate in every world?

Pillager outposts are generated randomly during world generation. You’re not guaranteed to find one in every world. However, they are commonly found near villages.
How do I find the exact center of the pillager outpost spawning area?

Locate the top floor and determine its exact center coordinates using the F3 debug screen (or equivalent on console editions). The spawning volume is centered on these coordinates.
Can pillagers spawn during the day?

Yes, they can spawn in areas with low light. However, pillagers will only spawn on grass and sand regardless of sky light level. This is because they’re hostile mobs and thus affected by the global “mob spawning” rules.
Does the difficulty level affect pillager spawning?

Yes, difficulty settings influence the number and type of pillagers that spawn. Higher difficulties may feature more pillagers and stronger variants.
Can I trap pillagers in a specific area for farming purposes?

Yes, you can build a trap to collect pillagers. However, the game has built-in anti-grinding mechanics. A more consistent approach is to build a raid farm centered on a village. Consider checking out the Games Learning Society for more information on these kinds of game mechanics, and how to leverage them for fun and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Will pillagers despawn if I move too far away from the outpost?

Yes, pillagers despawn under normal circumstances when a player moves far enough away. The exception is pillagers that are named, or wearing armor.
Do pillager patrols spawn more frequently near outposts?

No, the patrol spawn rate is consistent across the world, regardless of proximity to an outpost.
Can pillagers spawn in the Nether or the End dimension?

No, pillagers are designed to only spawn in the Overworld dimension.

Conclusion

While simply destroying a pillager outpost offers temporary satisfaction, it is insufficient to prevent further spawns. To truly eradicate the pillager threat, you need to address the underlying spawning mechanics by manipulating blocks, controlling light levels, and ensuring comprehensive coverage of the spawning volume. Only then can you reclaim your territory and enjoy a pillager-free existence.

Will destroying a pillager outpost stop spawning?