While mobs can be quite dangerous, we usually take solace in that a regular one鈥檚 speed rarely outclasses ours. The inability to fly also helps as they cannot get us as easily at higher elevations. However, that all changes when Phantoms are brought into the mix. Minecraft Phantoms can cause problems for players due to their mobility so let鈥檚 look through them.
Phantom
The Phantoms are mobs that only spawn in Minecraft under unique conditions. These conditions being that the player has survived three nights and hasn鈥檛 slept during them. The Phantoms will have a regular requirement for spawning as other mobs with this prerequisite fulfilled.
If they do spawn, Phantoms will fly around, potentially attacking the player if they get in their line of sight. Phantoms are easy to recognize with their blue and grey color scheme and manta ray-like appearance. However, the sheer fact they fly can be much scarier for players.
Phantom Behavior
The idle Minecraft Phantoms will fly in circles, decently far away from the player. However, behind them, a trail of smoke will always be visible. Keep in mind that these mobs are quite fast, which will be noticeable even when idle. Phantoms will often attack before the player can spot them idle though. They have quite a large search radius and will attack quite fast.
A Phantom will make a flyby attack where it swoops into the range to hit the target in melee. Retreating once the attack has been executed. A lot of the danger of this mob stems from their ability to make contact with the player before retreating to safety.
Ocelots and cats can scare them away or at least make Phantoms avoid their general area. Cats and ocelots will also hiss when these mobs approach.
It鈥檚 also important to note that Phantoms count as undead mobs. Undead mobs are immune to poison and regeneration effects and can be taken down easier with the Smite enchantment. This enhancement will deal more damage to the undead.
Phantom Attacks
Upon spotting a player, the Phantom will start descending upon the target. Once it is within reach, it will deal 6 damage on normal difficulty and start flying back into its original position. However, damaging the Phantom as it descends will lead it to start retreating back to its original position.
This can prevent us from taking damage from the Phantom generally. Leading to an overall easier experience with this particular mob. A Phantom can swim as fast as it can fly, which makes them extra problematic even if we try to escape through the water.
Thankfully, they will eventually drown if underwater for more than 20 seconds. However, this only occurs in Bedrock Edition, as Java Edition will have them survive any amount of time underwater.
Phantom Drops
Item dropped in Minecraft by the Phantom is a phantom membrane. You can get, at most, a single one from each Phantom. However, should your Looting enhancement get to level 3, the number will rise to 4. At that point, you can roll from 0 to 4 phantom membranes. These membranes can be used to repair rare items that allow the player to fly, called elytra. In addition, we can brew slow fall potions with this item and an awkward potion.