Boss Fight
How to Kill the Wither
The Wither is a 300 HP nightmare that comes in two halves: a flying phase you shred with bow and blade, and an armored phase that ignores everything but melee. Spawn it sealed underground, bring Netherite with Smite V, and box it in.
The two-phase kill plan
Treat the fight as two separate bosses. From 300 to 150 HP the Wither flies and takes ranged damage, so open with a Power V bow and finish the gap with Smite V melee (~13 per hit). The instant it hits 150 HP it slams to the ground and gains the armor charge: arrows, TNT, and Crystals do nothing.
Phase 2 is pure melee. Strafe directly under the body so its three skull heads struggle to track you, swing on cooldown, and keep Regeneration II and Strength splash potions rolling. Eat an Enchanted Golden Apple for Absorption and keep a Totem of Undying in your offhand against the Wither effect spike.
Quick answers
+How much health does the Wither have?
300 HP (150 hearts). It splits at 50%: phase 1 from 300 to 150 flying, then an armored phase from 150 to 0 on the ground.
+What makes phase 2 different?
At 150 HP the Wither gains the 'wither armor' charge. It becomes immune to arrows, explosions, and any non-melee damage, and drops to ground level. You must finish it with a sword.
+Why Smite instead of Sharpness?
The Wither is an undead mob, so Smite V adds about 12.5 bonus damage to undead, far more than Sharpness against this boss. A Netherite Sword with Smite V hits for roughly 13 to 26 per swing.
+Is the bow useless?
Only in phase 2. In phase 1 a Power V bow chips it from range while it flies. Switch fully to melee once it armors up at 150 HP.
+How do I not blow up my base?
Spawn it sealed in a deepslate or obsidian box deep underground. Its blue charge-up explosion and black skulls destroy most blocks, so never spawn it near anything you care about.
+What do I get for killing it?
One guaranteed Nether Star plus a large XP drop. The Star crafts a Beacon for permanent area buffs like Haste, Speed, and Regeneration.
