Skeleton

What Is Skeleton in Minecraft?

Skeletons are hostile mobs armed with a bow, keeping their distance from players while firing arrows. They are common underground and on the surface at night.

What Can Skeletons Do in Minecraft?

• Skeletons shoot arrows from up to 15 blocks away and never run out, since their ammo is infinite. Arrows they fire can't be picked back up.
• They strafe side to side and back away from players who get close, trying to keep a safe shooting distance, and will even sprint toward you if you're 14 or more blocks away.
• A Skeleton aims a little higher the further away its target is, to make up for the arrow dropping as it flies.
• If a Skeleton loses sight of you, it waits with its bow drawn and fires the moment you come back into view.
• Skeletons burn in direct sunlight just like Zombies, unless shaded, in water, or wearing a helmet. Unlike Zombies, they look for shelter during the day and keep shooting at you from it instead of just burning.
• Helmets worn by Skeletons can burn away in sunlight over time, so a Skeleton you've been fighting for a while may lose its helmet.
• If left in Powder Snow for about 7 seconds, a Skeleton starts shaking and turns into a Stray about 15 seconds later, keeping all its equipment.
• Skeletons sink in water and can't swim, though they don't drown either.
• They can pick up bows, shields, and armor from the ground, and will swap to better gear than what they're already holding.
• An arrow hit can knock you back, which is dangerous near ledges or lava.

How to Fight Skeletons

• Closing the distance quickly stops them from firing more arrows.
• Using cover such as blocks or trees blocks their arrows while you approach.
• A shield blocks arrow damage completely if timed well.
• If a Skeleton's arrow accidentally hits another mob, that mob may turn and attack the Skeleton instead of you.
• Wolves scare Skeletons off until the wolf lands a hit, after which the Skeleton turns to fight back.

How to Stay Safe from Skeletons

• Skeletons need total darkness to spawn, so lighting up your base and the paths around it with Torches keeps them from appearing nearby.
• Build walls or a roof around open areas. Skeletons can't shoot what they can't see, so blocking their line of sight protects you.
• Carry a Shield. It blocks arrow damage completely if you raise it in time.
• Sleeping in a Bed skips the night entirely, which is the simplest way to avoid Skeletons altogether.