Potions are certainly not a new addition to Minecraft. They have actually been part of the game since its official release in November 2011. Yet, many players continue to ignore them, despite their amazing effects that can greatly simplify your gameplay. Additionally, you can modify them and turn them into splash potions or even arrow tips! The possibilities are endless, and new status effects are constantly being added.
We already have an article for a general introduction to Minecraft’s brewing system, as well as an automatic brewery (Build an Automatic Potion Brewery in Minecraft: Guide & Tips) . So if you want to learn more about the basics, feel free to check out that article. Today, we will focus more on the effects the potions provide and give you situations in which they are useful.
Effective Potions in Combat
Healing (Glistering Melon): This potion heals two hearts per level instantly and without delay. In combat, it can save you from certain death, especially if you have a brief moment to catch your breath. However, always remember that the drinking animation takes a few seconds, so use this potion at the right moment to prevent your demise.
Damage (Glistering Melon + Fermented Spider Eye): The opposite effect is provided by the Potion of Harming, which deals instant 3 or even 6 hearts of damage. It’s best used as a splash or lingering potion to hit multiple enemies. And, of course, you should avoid drinking this potion at all costs.
Regeneration (Ghast Tear): Unlike the Potion of Healing, this status effect works gradually. Every 2.5 seconds, you regain half a heart. In total, regeneration can heal 9 or 18 hearts, making it one of the absolute best potions in combat.
Slowness (Sugar + Fermented Spider Eye): When attacked by many enemies at once, a thrown Potion of Slowness is great for buying yourself some time. It reduces the movement speed of all mobs and players by 15% per level. In PvP, this potion is also useful for creating more distance between you and your opponent.
Strength (Blaze Powder): A simple but very effective potion in your combat arsenal. With it, you deal 1.5 or 3 hearts more damage, depending on the level. This can be extremely handy against tough bosses like the Wither, Ender Dragon, or Warden.
Weakness (Fermented Spider Eye): The damage your opponent deals is reduced by one heart per level. This potion is not very practical in combat. However, it does have another function. In combination with a golden apple, you can use it to cure a zombie villager.
Poison (Spider Eye): This potion is really exciting to use, especially in PvP scenarios. While it can’t directly kill opponents, it deals a lot of damage. Poison can reduce up to 36 hearts over time. This makes your opponent vulnerable to a one-hit kill. Additionally, it ignores all other effects and even armor!
Turtle Master (Turtle Shell): This potion makes you 15% slower, but 20% more resistant to damage. The higher the level, the slower you are – but you can also take more hits. It may not always be worth it, but it can save your skin.
Potions for Farming
Infestation (Stone): A very peculiar effect can be obtained with this potion. Affected entities spawn silverfish when they take damage. Minecraft players use this status effect to build XP farms.
Sliming (Slime Block): When a mob dies, two medium-sized slimes are spawned in its place. This can be useful if you die in combat and still want to win. But you can also use the effect to create a slime farm without a slime chunk.
Webbing (Cobweb): Another strange effect is “Webbing,” causing a mob to leave 2-3 cobwebs upon death. This effect is primarily used for farming, to obtain string and craft various items like wool, linen, or scaffolding.
Potions for Safe Exploration
Fire Resistance (Magma Cream): This potion is a must-have when going to the Nether. Just one wrong step could land you in lava, causing you to lose all your hard-earned materials. When you have this effect active, you can even swim in lava! Additionally, you’re immune to the fireballs from Blazes, making it a good idea to use in combat as well.
Water Breathing (Pufferfish): If you’re planning to raid an ocean monument, find ruins, or build an underwater city, then this potion is perfect for you! During the potion’s duration, you can breathe underwater and move freely without the fear of drowning.
Night Vision (Golden Carrot): For cave tours, underwater work, or other dark places, this potion is almost indispensable. You will be able to see everything with a consistent light level of 15. However, remember that this only affects your perception and does not illuminate the room. Monsters can still spawn!
Potions for Increased Mobility
Speed (Sugar): Run 20% faster per level and jump a bit further with this wonderful potion! It’s often used on adventure maps, but it can also be incredibly practical in regular gameplay when you want to travel from A to B.
Jump Boost (Rabbit’s Foot): This potion increases your jump height from one block to 1.83 or 2.51 blocks, which is a significant difference! It also reduces the fall damage you take. Especially on long hikes where you want to climb mountain peaks, this potion should always be in your inventory.
Invisibility (Golden Carrot + Fermented Spider Eye): Everyone has probably dreamed of being invisible. In Minecraft, this status effect is one of the best there is! Without armor (which doesn’t become invisible), no monster will recognize you, but you can also make mobs invisible with a splash potion.
Slow Falling (Phantom Membrane): This potion prevents any fall damage for its duration and is invaluable, for example, in a fight against the Ender Dragon. It can also be useful when building large structures and you don’t want to fall to your death. With this potion, you will gently float to the ground.
Wind Charge (Gust Rod): Upon death, this effect releases a gust of wind similar to the new wind balls. Finding a direct use for it is challenging, but you can use it to create a launcher for the Elytra by giving chickens this effect and then killing them. This allows you to launch yourself thousands of blocks high!
Conclusion
Minecraft’s potions can provide you with truly useful status effects that can help you in various situations. Whether in combat, for automatic farms, or exploring, there’s always a practical potion you should have in your pocket. You can rent your own Minecraft server with us and try out some potions in PvP! It makes player encounters even more interesting and adds significantly more depth to battles.
