How to Defeat the Ender Dragon (Step by Step)
The Ender Dragon is the final boss. Here's exactly what to bring and how to beat it on your first try.
Beating the Ender Dragon ends the game's main quest and unlocks the End's islands. Come prepared and it's very doable.
What to bring
- Full armour (iron minimum, diamond/netherite ideal) with Protection.
- A bow or crossbow with plenty of arrows — for the healing crystals.
- A pickaxe, blocks (cobblestone), and a water bucket.
- Food, and ideally Strength, Regeneration and Slow Falling potions.
- A pumpkin to wear so endermen don't aggro when you look at them.
Step 1: Destroy the End Crystals
The dragon heals from 10 crystals on top of the obsidian pillars. Shoot the exposed ones with your bow. Some sit inside iron cages — pillar up with blocks and break them by hand or with a bed... no, beds don't explode in the End safely near you. Just mine the cage and hit the crystal.
Step 2: Fight the dragon
With crystals gone, focus the dragon:
- When it perches on the central portal, hit its head with your sword for big damage.
- While it flies, shoot its head with arrows.
- Avoid its breath attack and the purple dragon's-breath clouds on the ground.
Step 3: The exit portal
When the dragon dies, it drops a huge burst of XP and an exit portal opens with a dragon egg on top. Jump in to return home and roll the credits.
Next: grab an Elytra from an End City to explore the outer islands in style.