The Wither Skeleton sword, which is an unenchanted stone sword, has a base drop rate of 8.5% from Wither Skeletons. This rate can be significantly increased by using the Looting enchantment.
Base Drop Chance
When you defeat a Wither Skeleton in the Nether, there is a default 8.5% chance for it to drop its stone sword. This dropped sword will always be unenchanted and will have random durability. This chance applies to the specific weapon the Wither Skeleton is holding.
The Impact of Looting Enchantment
The drop rate of the Wither Skeleton's stone sword can be substantially improved by using a weapon enchanted with Looting. Each level of the Looting enchantment adds an additional 1% to the base drop chance.
- Looting I: Increases the drop rate to 9.5% (8.5% base + 1%).
- Looting II: Further increases the drop rate to 10.5% (8.5% base + 2%).
- Looting III: Provides the maximum possible drop rate of 11.5% (8.5% base + 3%).
Here's a quick overview of the drop rates:
| Enchantment Level | Drop Rate Percentage |
|---|---|
| No Looting | 8.5% |
| Looting I | 9.5% |
| Looting II | 10.5% |
| Looting III | 11.5% |
Maximizing Your Drop Chances
To efficiently farm Wither Skeleton swords, especially if you're aiming for rare drops like Wither Skeleton Skulls, consider these practical strategies:
- Always Use Looting III: Equip a weapon enchanted with Looting III. This is the single most effective way to boost your chances for all mob drops, including the stone sword.
- Build a Wither Skeleton Farm: For large quantities of drops, constructing a dedicated Wither Skeleton farm within a Nether Fortress can significantly increase the number of Wither Skeletons you encounter and defeat, thereby maximizing your overall item acquisition over time.
- Focus on Nether Fortresses: Wither Skeletons exclusively spawn within Nether Fortresses. Concentrating your hunting efforts in these structures is crucial.
- Be Combat-Ready: Wither Skeletons are formidable foes. Ensure you have strong armor, a powerful weapon (preferably with Sharpness and Looting), and plenty of healing items like Golden Apples or Potions of Healing before you venture into the Nether for farming.
