Poison Potion, Uses and Crafting

Table of Contents :

The poison potion is an alchemical object from Minecraft which deals ongoing damage to your target. It never kills outright: it always leaves at least 1 HP. You can craft it by Java Edition as in Bedrock Edition, made from a spider eye and a Nether wart.

What is the poison potion used for in Minecraft?

The poison potion Gradually reduces your target's health without ever killing it. The poison effect always stops at 1 HP (half a heart). It's one of the most useful potions in combat, as it wears down enemies before you deliver the fatal blow.

In the basic version (Level I), the poison potion lasts 45 seconds. It deals 1 half-heart of damage every 1.25 seconds. In Version II, the duration is reduced to 21 seconds, but the damage per second increases significantly.

Here are the situations in which the poison potion is the most effective:

Attack a hostile mob before finishing it off with your sword
To weaken an opposing player by PvP without putting yourself at risk
Pair with a slowing potion to immobilize your target while it loses health
Launch a disposable poison potion on a group to poison multiple enemies at once

The poison does not work on creatures that are already immune, such as the undead (skeletons, zombies). Against them, use the damage potion, which can kill directly.

The poison mechanic works the same way in Java Edition and in Bedrock Edition.

The ingredients for making the poison potion

Before brewing your poison potion, gather these ingredients:

1 water vial (made with 3 glass blocks on a workbench)
1 Nether Wart (found in Nether Fortresses)
1 spider eye (obtained by killing spiders)
1 stick of blaze (to build the still)
1 powder of blaze (still fuel)

To get a Nether Wart, go to a Nether Fortress. It grows on Soul Sand blocks, often near staircases. You can also find them in chests in Nether Fortresses.

For the Spider's Eye, hunt spiders at night or in dimly lit areas. They have a chance to drop one each time they die. Spiders in caves also drop them.

For the powder of blaze, kills blazes in the Nether (around the generators of blazes in the fortresses). They drop sticks of blaze which you grind into powder on the workbench.

You can also find some poison potions directly into the chests of certain structures, or by trading them with witches.

How to Make a Poison Potion in Minecraft

Step 1: Make your water bottles

Place 3 glass blocks on a workbench according to the diagram below to make empty vials. Then fill the vials by right-clicking on a water block or a cauldron filled with water.

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Step 2: Build a still

Without a still, it's impossible to brew potions in Minecraft. Place 3 smooth stones (or cobblestones, depending on your version) and 1 stick of blaze as shown in the image:

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Place your still and right-click to open its interface. You can brew up to 3 potions at the same time.

Step 3: Use blaze powder as fuel

The still requires powdered blaze to work. Place it in the slot at the top left of the interface:

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Step 4: Stir the strange potion

Put your water vial in one of the bottom slots, then add the Nether Wart to the top slot. You'll get a strange potion : This is the basis for almost all potions in Minecraft.

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Step 5: Add the spider's eye

Next, add the spider's eye to the top slot. It's the key ingredient in the poison potion. Wait until the brewing is finished.

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Your poison potion Level I is ready. It lasts 45 seconds and leaves your target with at least 1 HP.

How to Improve Your Poison Potion

Poison Potion II: More Damage

To obtain the Poison Potion II, add some luminous powder to your Level I potion in the still. The effect becomes more powerful, but the duration drops to 21 seconds. The damage per second increases significantly compared to the base version.

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Long-Lasting Poison Potion: More Time

Would you prefer a potion that lasts longer? Add some redstone powder to your Level I poison potion. The duration increases to 1 minute and 30 seconds (90 seconds) instead of 45 seconds. Note: You can’t combine glow powder and redstone powder in the same potion. It’s one or the other.

Disposable Poison Potion (splash): to be thrown

The disposable poison potion is made by adding gunpowder to the still. This version allows you to throw the potion like a projectile. You can poison an enemy from a distance, without making contact. It is also called splash potion in the English versions of the game.

The disposable poison potion is particularly effective against a group of enemies. A single throw is enough to poison multiple targets at once. It's one of the best options for fighting waves of creatures.

The ingredients for the disposable poison potion : your Level I (or II) poison potion + gunpowder.

Long-lasting poison potion: on the ground

The long-lasting potion is made by adding dragon's breath to a disposable poison potion. It creates a cloud of poison on the ground upon impact. Any creature that passes through this cloud is afflicted with the poison effect for a few seconds. This version is available in Java Edition and in Bedrock Edition. You can collect dragon breath by throwing an empty vial at the breath expelled by the Ender Dragon.

Poison Arrow: To be shot from a bow

You can also combine a disposable poison potion with arrows on a workbench to craft poison arrows. These arrows inflict the poison effect on your target upon hitting, without consuming a potion with each shot. This is an excellent option for prolonged ranged combat.

Summary Table of Poison Variants

Version	Added ingredient	Duration	Effect
Poison Potion I	Spider's Eye	45 seconds	Level I Poison
Poison Potion II	luminous powder	21 seconds	Level II Poison (stronger)
Long-Lasting Poison Potion	Redstone Powder	1 min 30	Prolonged Level I Poison
Disposable Poison Potion	Gunpowder	Based on	Projectile, short range
Long-Lasting Poison Potion	Dragon's breath	Cloud ~30 s	Poison Zone on the Ground

Fermented Spider Eye: Beware of Confusion

L'fermented spider eye is an ingredient different from the classic spider eye. You obtain it by combining a spider eye, sugar, and a brown mushroom on a workbench. This ingredient is used to reverse or corrupt the effects of a potion. It is used to craft the potion of weakness, among other things. Don't confuse it with the simple spider's eye, which is used for the poison potion.

Comparison: Poison Potion vs. Damage Potion

The poison potion and the damage potion are two offensive potions, but they work differently.

The poison potion Inflicts damage over time, but always leaves the target with 1 HP. It does not kill.
The damage potion deals instant damage and can kill instantly.
The poison potion is more effective at wearing down enemies in prolonged combat.
The damage potion is best for quickly finishing off a target that's already weakened.

The two potions work well together: poison the target first, then finish it off with a damage potion.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Poison Potion

Does the poison potion work on all enemies?

No. The poison potion has no effect on non-living creatures such as the undead (zombies, skeletons, mummies), Withers, or Ender Dragons. These creatures are immune to poison. Use the damage potion against them instead.

Can you die from poison in Minecraft?

No. The poison effect in Minecraft It can't kill you outright. It always leaves you with 1 HP. However, if you take additional damage while you're poisoned (from a fall, fire, or a sword strike), you can die.

How long does the poison potion last?

The duration depends on the version:

Poison Potion I: 45 seconds
Poison Potion II: 21 seconds
Long-lasting poison potion (with redstone powder): 1 minute 30

What is the difference between a one-time-use potion and a long-lasting potion?

The disposable poison potion is launched like a projectile and affects targets within a small area upon impact. The long-lasting poison potion leaves a cloud on the ground after impact, which poisons any creature that passes through it for several seconds. The long-lasting potion is more useful for controlling an area.