The Menace of the Enderman
The towering, shadowy figures of Minecraft, Endermen, have become a staple of the game, instantly recognizable and, for many players, a constant source of both intrigue and frustration. Their habit of picking up and moving blocks, combined with their often-unpredictable teleportation, can transform a meticulously planned build into a chaotic jumble of scattered materials. If you’ve ever returned to your base only to find gaping holes, missing walls, or your carefully crafted structures disrupted by Endermen’s wandering hands, you know the feeling. It’s a Minecraft rite of passage! But what if there was a way to minimize this nuisance, to protect your hard work from their destructive tendencies? I’ve found a cool way to prevent endermen from making a mess of your Minecraft world, and I’m eager to share it with you.
Let’s be honest, the Enderman is a complex creature. They are not inherently malicious. They don’t just wander around seeking to destroy things. The problem arises from a few key behaviors that clash directly with the player’s desire to build and maintain a specific environment.
Their propensity for block-grabbing is perhaps the most well-known. Endermen can pick up and carry a variety of blocks, effectively “stealing” resources from their surroundings. This can be especially frustrating when they target valuable building materials or essential components of your base. This theft is not the end of the world, but it makes building more inconvenient.
Then there is the issue of their ability to teleport. While useful for them, this feature can be problematic for players. They can appear and disappear at will, making it difficult to track them and sometimes leading to sudden attacks, or worse, damage to your constructions. Imagine spending hours crafting a perfect cobblestone wall, only to discover an Enderman decided to remove sections of it!
Furthermore, the Endermen themselves can become a nuisance. They can be aggressive if you look them in the eye. Staring at one is like starting a fight with an enemy you did not even want to get into. Not only do they hit hard, but with the teleportation, it makes them hard to deal with.
These habits combined can lead to the quick destruction of bases, theft of materials, and a general disruption of your carefully constructed world. Preventing them can make the game much better and much more fun.
The Struggle is Real
Many players, myself included, have tried various methods to mitigate the Enderman issue. Building high fences is a common solution, but these can be expensive to construct and don’t always provide complete protection, as the Endermen are still able to teleport. Furthermore, they do not address the fundamental issue of them potentially removing blocks from within the fence.
Others try to light their base extensively, as Endermen do spawn in dark areas. This can work to some extent, but it may not prevent them from venturing in when the player is not around or when night falls.
The challenge lies in finding a solution that is both effective and practical, that won’t break the bank or compromise the aesthetic of your builds.
My Answer: The Block-Friendly Barrier
After some experimentation and careful observation, I’ve found a cool way to prevent endermen from causing mayhem in your Minecraft world, and the best part? It’s surprisingly simple, relatively inexpensive, and highly effective. It involves a clever application of a specific block type and some thoughtful placement to create a protective barrier.
My solution centers around the intelligent use of “Waterlogged Stairs” in a certain formation. Water, as most seasoned Minecraft players know, is a bane to Endermen. They immediately start taking damage if they touch it, rendering them unable to pick up any blocks. The clever part is creating a barrier that contains this element, while remaining relatively simple to implement and aesthetically pleasing.
You will need a fair amount of waterlogged stairs. Any kind will work. The better the aesthetic, the better your base will look.
Implementing the Solution: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to start building? Follow these simple steps:
Gather Your Materials
You’ll need a significant supply of waterlogged stairs, a water source (bucket), and the desired materials to build the walls. Your choice of material depends on your aesthetics, cobblestone, smooth stone, and the logs work best.
Frame the Border
Construct the outer edges of your base with solid blocks like stone or wood, forming the basis of your protective structure. Think of this as the foundational layer to prevent the Endermen from accessing your inner structure and prevent them from grabbing important components.
Create the Inner Frame
Go a layer deeper and build the structure with your desired block.
The Stair Game
Place the waterlogged stairs. Here’s how the stairs are configured:
Make a double layer of stairs on the walls
Be sure to use the water bucket to apply it to the stair.
Place these stairs around the inner border of your building
This will allow you to fill your base with water
You should not be able to see any of the stair blocks.
Test and Refine
Observe your base at night. Watch how the Endermen behave. Do they enter the barrier? Are they able to pick up blocks from within your base? Make any necessary adjustments to the stair placement or add layers until the barrier is impenetrable.
Witnessing the Effectiveness of the Solution
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, I spent many nights in my test world. Before I built the barrier, I was continuously plagued by Endermen, stealing blocks and tearing down sections of my base. After implementing the waterlogged stair system, the difference was striking. The Endermen wandered around the perimeter, unable to touch the blocks. They were trapped. No blocks disappeared, and my base remained untouched.
I was able to easily show an impressive result by testing the system. My base was not affected.
The Benefits of the Barrier
This solution provides a variety of advantages:
Simple Implementation
The method is relatively easy to construct.
Affordable Materials
The materials are all readily accessible.
Defensive
The design is highly effective.
Expandable
The barrier can be scaled up or down easily.
Aesthetic Flexibility
You can customize the appearance of your barrier.
Understanding the Limitations
Initial Cost
Depending on the size of your base, the initial construction can take time.
Water Issues
Water is your best friend against Endermen. However, too much water is a nuisance.
Placement
Ensure proper placement to ensure they cannot remove blocks
Conclusion
If you’ve been struggling with Endermen and their block-grabbing antics, or are simply looking for a way to protect your hard work, I hope you found a cool way to prevent endermen from wreaking havoc in your world. This waterlogged stairs barrier is a simple, effective, and aesthetically customizable solution. It empowers you to build and create without the constant worry of Endermen interferences. Remember, the key is precise construction and careful application of your materials.
So, go ahead, build your own protective barrier! Let me know how it works for you. I hope you have as much success as I did. Happy building!
Further Thoughts
This method is just one approach to managing Endermen. There are other solutions. Experiment with different designs and see what works best for you. The most important thing is to find a way to enjoy your Minecraft experience without the constant frustration of Endermen interference. The more you adapt and improve your solutions, the more you’ll be able to grow your skills and have fun.
Good luck, and happy crafting!
