Witch
hostile
Health
Damage
XP Drop
Added InOverview
The Witch is a hostile mob in Minecraft, which means it will attack players on sight whenever it is able to reach them.
You will normally come across witches in the Overworld, where they appear in All Overworld biomes and Witch Huts (Swamp).
What sets it apart is its behaviour: attacks by throwing harmful splash potions (Poison, Slowness, Weakness, Harming).
With 26 HP (13 hearts) on its bar, killing one rewards 5 experience.
The Witch has been part of the game since version 1.4.2.
Also worth noting: Witch huts in swamps are the only place they spawn at any light level.
Knowing how the Witch behaves is mostly about survival: recognising it early and reacting correctly is what keeps a night-time excursion from ending in a respawn.
Spawning
Natural spawns for the Witch occur in All Overworld biomes and Witch Huts (Swamp).
Your best bet is to head straight for All Overworld biomes, since that is where it turns up most reliably out of the handful of biomes it favours.
Spawns at light level 0 or in Swamp Huts. Villagers struck by lightning become witches.
Pay attention to lighting — a light level of 0 is required, which is exactly what makes torch placement such an effective way to suppress or encourage these spawns.
Naturally spawned witches will despawn over time when no player is nearby; naming one with a name tag or leading it away on a lead keeps it permanent.
For a reliable Witch farm, set your spawning floor within the biomes above and light everything else nearby so spawns funnel to one spot.
Drops
Here is what you can expect to collect from a Witch:
Its drops are all chance-based: you may receive 0–6 Glass Bottles (occasionally, 12.5% chance), 0–6 Glowstone Dust (occasionally, 12.5% chance), 0–6 Gunpowder (occasionally, 12.5% chance), 0–6 Redstone Dust (occasionally, 12.5% chance), 0–6 Spider Eyes (occasionally, 12.5% chance), 0–6 Sugar (occasionally, 12.5% chance), and 0–6 Sticks (occasionally, 12.5% chance).
You also collect 5 experience for every Witch you defeat.
Farming witches is the standard way to stockpile glass bottles in quantity.
The Looting enchantment on your sword raises the quantity and, for many of these items, the drop chance of the rarer rolls, so it is well worth using when you grind this mob.
With nothing guaranteed, output is swingy — over many kills the averages hold, but any single Witch may give you little, so farm in volume rather than expecting a jackpot each time.
| Item | Count | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Bottle | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Glowstone Dust | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Gunpowder | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Redstone Dust | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Spider Eye | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Sugar | 0-6 | 12.5% |
| Stick | 0-6 | 12.5% |
Glass Bottle
Glowstone Dust
Gunpowder
Redstone Dust
Spider Eye
Sugar
StickBehavior & Combat
Behaviourally, attacks by throwing harmful splash potions (Poison, Slowness, Weakness, Harming). Drinks defensive potions (Healing, Fire Resistance, Water Breathing, Speed).
Its 26 health is modest, falling to roughly 4 hits from a diamond sword.
Because it never attacks, you are in no danger from it directly; the Witch simply goes about its routine.
To deal with one efficiently, exploit its weaknesses — it is vulnerable to Instant Damage potions and Melee while drinking.
The practical takeaway is to respect its strengths, exploit the weaknesses listed above, and you will rarely lose a fight you choose to take.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Witch
How much health does a Witch have?
A Witch has 26 health points, which is 13 hearts on its health bar.
What does a Witch drop?
When killed, a Witch drops 0–6 Glass Bottles (12.5% chance), 0–6 Glowstone Dust (12.5% chance), 0–6 Gunpowder (12.5% chance), 0–6 Redstone Dust (12.5% chance), 0–6 Spider Eyes (12.5% chance), 0–6 Sugar (12.5% chance), and 0–6 Sticks (12.5% chance), along with 5 experience.
Where do Witches spawn in Minecraft?
Witches spawn in All Overworld biomes and Witch Huts (Swamp). Spawns at light level 0 or in Swamp Huts. Villagers struck by lightning become witches.
How do you defeat a Witch?
To defeat a Witch, target its weaknesses — it is vulnerable to Instant Damage potions and Melee while drinking — while dealing with its 26 health (13 hearts).
How much XP does a Witch drop?
A Witch drops 5 experience points when killed.
What biome is the best place to find Witches?
Witches are found in All Overworld biomes and Witch Huts (Swamp), so any of those biomes is a good place to start looking.