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Minecraft is brimming with places to explore, goodies to gather, and of course, hordes of foes to defeat. Given the countless baddies that will likely be bombarding players throughout their journey, having many effective attacks proves useful, especially from range.
As part of the 0.15.0 update in June 2016, the game adds another helpful tool with which to take out targets at a distance; Tipped Arrows. Combining the long-range damage and precision of archery with the versatility and extended effects of splash potions, this handy feature allows players to really make an impact with their bows. This guide will outline the details of Tipped Arrows in Minecraft, including how to craft the arrows, their characteristics, as well as varieties available.
Tipped Arrows: An Overview
Tipped Arrows function like any other shot arrow—with an added bonus. They're a subtype of arrow that hit their target with the effect of a splash potion (specifically a Lingering Potion) when striking the mob or player. This is achieved by crafting them within the crafting grid, using normal arrows as well as Lingering Potions.
A target hit with these arrows will be inflicted with the same effects they would if a splash potion at them. The differences are that, while more precise, the duration of any effect of a potion is only 1/8th the length of time compared to the potion in its normal state.
Most of these arrows can be used to weaken and chip away at mobs, but some can also be shot at players to help them in certain ways.
Tipped Arrows have varying degrees of longer-lasting effects or slightly more powerful effects.
How To Craft Tipped Arrows
Tipped Arrows can be crafted like any normal item in the crafting grid, by using:
- Any Lingering Potion + 8 Arrows. This produces 8 Tipped Arrows of the potion used.
They can also be crafted by placing arrows in Cauldrons that are filled with potions. The arrow generated will be tipped with the potion loaded in the Cauldron. This is a more economical way to craft these arrows, as fewer potions can be used to craft more Tipped Arrows.
Cauldrons can be crafted like any normal item in the crafting grid, by using:
- 7 Iron Ingots. This produces 1 Cauldron.
Lingering Potions
While crafting the Tipped Arrows themselves is fairly simple, making the key ingredient for them proves a little more in-depth. Players will need to make Lingering Potions, which are more potent variants of splash potions that inflict all in its vicinity with status effects that linger for a bit.
Players will need access to a Brewing Stand to begin this process.
- To craft a Brewing Stand, place 1 Blaze Rod + 3 Cobblestones in the crafting grid.
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Use the Brewing Stand and insert the required elements. They are the listed items bolded below.
- Obtain Dragon's Breath by gathering the Ender Dragon's breath attack or Dragon fireball clouds in an empty bottle.
- Use Blaze Powder to power the station. Then insert the Dragon's Breath and Splash Potion (or make one by combining it with gunpowder,)
- The combination of the Dragon's Breath and Splash Potion will create the equivalent Lingering Potions of the same effect.
Types Of Tipped Arrows
There are numerous types of tipped arrows, each with its own unique effect. Some can be utilized to buff or add an ability to oneself or fellow players, while others can be used to weaken or damage enemy mobs over time. This section will list each type of Tipped Arrow while giving a brief explanation or added details to those which aren't as self-explanatory.
- Arrow of Regeneration
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Arrow of Weakness
- Weakens the user's melee damage only.
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Arrow of Swiftness
- Also increases the field of view along with speed.
- Arrow of Slowness
- Arrow of Fire Resistance
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Arrow of Harming
- Doesn't inflict static damage, but is based on factors including the arrow's damage and enchantment status of the bow
- A single arrow of harming can inflict up to five and a half hearts worth of instant damage.
- Arrow of Healing
- Arrow of Water Breathing
- Arrow of Night Vision
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Arrow of Luck (exclusive to Java Edition)
- Allows the user to find better items while fishing.
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Arrow of Strength
- Increases the user's melee damage only.
- Arrow of Decay (exclusive to Bedrock Edition)
- Arrow of Leaping
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Arrow of the Turtle Master
- Befitting its name, this arrow increases the user's defense while bogging down their speed.
- Arrow of Invisibility
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Arrow of Slow Falling
- Users can largely control the direction they fall while the effect is still in place.
- Arrow of Poison
Other Details About Tipped Arrows To Keep In Mind
Source: Minecraft Wiki
- For bows enchanted with Infinity, the enchantment only works on normal arrows, so Tipped Arrows will still be consumed when shot by the bow.
- It's also possible to craft Tipped Arrows by using Lingering Water bottles in addition to Awkward, Thick, and Mundane Lingering Potions. The resulting item is an arrow of Splashing if a water bottle is used. Mundane, Awkward, and Thick potions create tipped arrows, but all of these varieties have no effect and work like normal arrows. The only difference is a splashing visual of blue particles are laced to the arrow when shot.
- Up to 48 arrows can be tipped once a Cauldron is entirely filled with a potion.
- Tipped Arrows can not be made with potions of Mining Fatigue, Haste, Nausea, or Blindness.
- Tipped Arrows of the same effect will stack, but those of different effects do not stack.
- These arrows will work about almost any mob, so they make for good combat options, especially from a distance.
- Normal bows and crossbows are both compatible with Tipped Arrows.
Minecraft is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, and many other platforms.