Enderman – How to Survive Encounters in Minecraft

So, let’s talk about the Enderman. You know, those creepy tall guys that stare at you with their glowing purple eyes like they’re judging your every move? Yeah, them. I’ve run into a fair share of these dark, tall mobs while wandering around Minecraft. At first, I thought, “Eh, they look harmless… right?” Fast forward to me getting zapped by one and nearly losing my armor to their sharp claws. Not pretty.

Enderman can be a huge pain if you don’t know how to deal with them. But trust me, it’s not as hard as it seems if you keep a few key things in mind. Let’s dive into how you can avoid these jerks—or, if they get too close, how to survive them.

What Is an Enderman?

Alright, first things first: What even is an Enderman? Picture a super tall, dark creature, at least three blocks high, with glowing purple eyes. You’ll usually find them hanging around at night or in dark spots like caves, or… great… in the End dimension, where they seem to have made themselves at home. These guys love to teleport around, which makes them a bit of a nightmare if you’re trying to figure out where they went after you accidentally made eye contact. And let’s be honest, that happens a lot.

But here’s the kicker: Enderman are actually pretty chill until you stare at them. I learned that the hard way. One minute, I’m just trying to build a little base, and the next minute, BOOM! This tall dude is ready to throw down. Apparently, Endermen take offense to being stared at. Go figure.

Enderman Behavior: Let’s Break it Down

Enderman aren’t all bad. They don’t immediately attack unless you mess up by looking them directly in the eyes. They’re kinda like the misunderstood loners of Minecraft—they’ll just mind their business unless you provoke them. But when you do, it’s like flipping a switch, and suddenly, they’re out for blood. Or pixels. Whatever.

A few things to note:

• Teleportation: This is the worst. They’ll disappear on you and reappear in random spots. Trying to fight one is like playing hide-and-seek with a teleporting cheater.
• Block Pickups: Yeah, they carry blocks. It’s kind of like they’re moving furniture, but with zero intentions of helping. They can pick up dirt, grass, and even more precious blocks like sand or flowers. Very annoying when you’ve just spent 20 minutes perfecting your little garden and an Enderman decides to swipe a flower like it’s an Amazon delivery.
• Hostility: Don’t make eye contact. Seriously. One look and they go from “I’m just vibing” to “I’m coming for you.”

Where Do Endermen Live?

Now, if you’re thinking these tall guys are confined to the End, think again. They can show up pretty much anywhere in the Overworld—especially at night or in dark places. You can find them in biomes like:

• Plains: Yeah, a lot of flat grass and open space. Perfect for them to just wander around.
• Deserts: They’re hella sneaky in desert biomes, especially when the sun goes down.
• Swamps: Creepy. Dark. Wet. It’s like Enderman heaven.

But, they’re most at home in the End dimension. That’s their turf. Once you get there, you’ll be swarmed by these guys, and trust me, the last thing you want is to deal with a dozen teleporting Endermen while you’re trying to fight the Ender Dragon. Spoiler: It doesn’t go well.

How to Avoid Enderman Encounters

I get it. Sometimes you just want to mind your own business and not mess with these teleporting weirdos. So, how do you keep them out of your life? Let’s start with a few tactics I wish I had known before my first run-in:

1. Light it Up

Endermen spawn in low-light areas, so your first step should be to light up your surroundings. Trust me, throwing down a few torches or some lanterns will save you from a lot of trouble. I remember once, I was building a little treehouse and thought I was safe. Nope. It was pitch black, and before I knew it, there was an Enderman staring at me like he had a vendetta. Lesson learned.

2. Wear a Pumpkin

If you really want to be safe, slap a carved pumpkin on your head. It’s a weird look, but hey, it works. With a pumpkin, Endermen won’t notice you staring at them. You can walk around without worrying about them attacking you out of nowhere. It’s the easiest (and kind of ridiculous) way to keep things peaceful. Just be prepared to look like a weirdo.

3. Stay Away from Dark Places

It’s tempting to explore caves, but if you’re not careful, you might bump into some Endermen while you’re mining. My worst memory? I was deep in a cave, hunting for diamonds, and I accidentally looked at one. The next thing I knew, I was fighting for my life in the middle of a dark, narrow tunnel. Worst. Experience. Ever.

How to Fight Enderman (If You Have To)

Sometimes, avoiding them isn’t an option. Maybe you’re out on an adventure, and suddenly you’ve got one of these guys teleporting around you, hissing and growling. Here’s what you need to do to survive:

1. Keep Your Distance

First of all, don’t look at them. I can’t stress this enough. If you can keep your distance and avoid eye contact, they won’t attack. Keep moving and don’t stare, and hopefully, you can make it through without a confrontation.

2. Use Water

This was a game-changer for me. Endermen hate water. I first realized this when one teleported into my little hut while I was crafting, and I thought, “Oh no, I’m dead.” But then, I placed a bucket of water near me, and boom—he started getting damaged and ran off. So, keep a water bucket handy. Seriously. It’ll save your life.

3. A Good Weapon Is Key

You’re going to need a weapon. A sword, preferably one with a good enchantment, like Sharpness or Smite, will do wonders. Aim for their legs—they’re tall, and hitting the top just doesn’t work. Trust me, I tried.

4. Keep a Shield Ready

When I first started fighting Endermen, I didn’t use a shield. That was a mistake. Once I figured out that Endermen can hit pretty hard, I started carrying a shield to block their attacks. It helps you stay alive longer while you hit them back. Can’t hurt to have one ready.

Fun Fact: Endermen Myths Debunked

There’s a lot of weird stuff people say about Endermen, and I’m here to clear it up for you:

Myth 1: Endermen Can Teleport Anywhere

Nah. They can teleport within their environment, but they can’t teleport through solid walls or blocks. So, if you build yourself in a little box, they won’t just phase through it and get to you.

Myth 2: Endermen Are Immune to Damage

False. They take damage just like any other mob. They’re just really good at dodging, thanks to their teleportation. But fire? They hate it. Which is why my first fire-based attack against them ended in disaster.

Myth 3: Endermen Only Spawn in the End

Nope, they spawn in the Overworld, too. So don’t think you’re off the hook just because you’re not in the End dimension.

Wrapping It Up: Surviving the Enderman

Surviving an Enderman encounter is all about strategy and a bit of luck. It’s like playing a weird game of hide-and-seek. If you don’t mess with them, they won’t mess with you. But if you’re caught in the middle of a fight, use water, keep a weapon ready, and make sure you’re not alone in a dark corner.

I’ve died to Endermen more times than I care to admit (seriously, it was embarrassing). But once I got the hang of their habits, they became just another challenge to deal with.

Anyway, there’s always that moment when you’re running away from one, praying it doesn’t teleport behind you. That’s the real Minecraft experience, right?