When certain mobs are killed by the explosion of a charged creeper, they always drop their respective mob head. This unique mechanic is the primary way to obtain decorative mob heads in the game.
The specific mobs that drop their heads under these circumstances are:
- Skeleton
- Wither Skeleton
- Zombie
- Creeper
- Piglin
How Mob Heads Are Dropped by Charged Creepers
To obtain a mob head using a charged creeper, the following conditions must be met:
- A Charged Creeper: This is a standard creeper that has been struck by lightning. When a lightning bolt strikes near a creeper, it becomes charged, identifiable by a blue aura surrounding it. Lightning can occur naturally during thunderstorms or be summoned using a trident enchanted with Channeling during a thunderstorm.
- Target Mob: One of the five specified mobs (Skeleton, Wither Skeleton, Zombie, Creeper, or Piglin) must be within the blast radius of the charged creeper's explosion.
- Explosive Kill: The target mob must be killed directly by the damage from the charged creeper's explosion. If another source of damage (e.g., player, fall damage, or another mob) contributes to the kill, the head will not drop.
Here's a quick overview of the mobs and the heads they drop:
| Mob Type | Head Dropped | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton | Skeleton Skull | Killed by charged creeper explosion |
| Wither Skeleton | Wither Skeleton Skull | Killed by charged creeper explosion |
| Zombie | Zombie Head | Killed by charged creeper explosion |
| Creeper | Creeper Head | Killed by charged creeper explosion |
| Piglin | Piglin Head | Killed by charged creeper explosion |
Practical Considerations for Head Farming
- Trapping: Players often build traps to lure mobs and charged creepers into close proximity, ensuring the target mob is killed by the creeper's blast.
- Lightning Rods: In recent updates, lightning rods can be used to direct lightning strikes, making it easier to create charged creepers in specific locations.
- Safety: Charged creeper explosions are powerful. Ensure you are far enough away or protected to avoid being caught in the blast yourself.
General Head Drop Mechanics
While charged creepers guarantee a head drop for specific mobs, it's worth noting other head-dropping mechanics. In Bedrock Edition, for instance, the general chance for a mob to drop its head (when not killed by a charged creeper) can be influenced by the Looting enchantment. The chance is increased by 2% per level of Looting, for a maximum of 8.5% with Looting III, though this applies to very specific drops (like Wither Skeleton Skulls from Wither Skeletons in fortresses) and not the broad range of heads offered by charged creepers.
For detailed information on mob heads and their acquisition, you can refer to the official Minecraft Wiki.
