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Topic 3 of 3

Minecraft: The End: the Ender Dragon

The final fight: knock out the end crystals that heal the dragon, then finish it while it rests on the portal.

  • 4 parts · 9 steps
  • 1 boss

Steps from 7 text guides, 1 video to watch · checked Oct 19, 2026

0 of 4 done
Video: Loopy Longplays on YouTube. Loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play.

What each player can do here

P1 · Player 1
  • Archer: a bow or crossbow with plenty of arrows for the crystals and for the dragon in flight.
P2 · Players 2–4
  • Sword: waits near the middle and attacks when the dragon lands on the portal.

If your skill levels differ: Our suggestionGive the bow to the better shot, who takes the crystals, and let the other player hold the sword for the landings. How to split the roles

Before you jump in

Part 1 of 4. Pack for a fight you cannot easily leave.

  1. BothBring a sword, a bow or crossbow with plenty of arrows, your best armor and healing such as golden apples or potions.
  2. BothStay inside the ring of pillars on the central island so you do not fall into the void.

Destroying the end crystals

Part 2 of 4. Stop the dragon healing.

  1. Player 1The dragon heals from end crystals on top of the obsidian pillars; destroy them first with arrows or another ranged weapon.
  2. Player 1Destroying a crystal that is currently healing the dragon also hurts the dragon.

Good to know

  • Some crystals sit inside cages on the taller pillars; build up with blocks or throw an ender pearl to the top to reach them.

Fighting the dragon

Part 3 of 4. Bring the dragon down.

  1. Player 1While the dragon flies, shoot it with the bow.
  2. Players 2–4When it lands over the exit portal, arrows do nothing; run in and hit it with the sword.

After the fight

Part 4 of 4. Collect the rewards and go home.

  1. BothThe dragon drops a large amount of experience, and the exit portal in the middle opens the way back to the Overworld.
  2. BothAn End gateway also appears; it leads to the outer End islands.
  3. BothStepping into the exit portal shows the End Poem and the credits.

Boss

Ender DragonThe final boss

  1. Flying and healing: Circles the island, heals from the end crystals on the pillars and attacks with fireballs and its breath.
  2. Perched on the portal: Lands over the exit portal in the middle; while perched it ignores arrows, so this is the window for sword hits.
  • Bring empty glass bottles if you want dragon's breath: it can be collected in them during the fight.
Sources (8)

Steps compiled from 7 text guides, checked Oct 19, 2026, and written in our own words. The videos are there to watch each part; they are not counted as sources for the steps. We did not play the game for this guide. A step marked “single source” rests on one guide so far.