Updated 23 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Drowned: Tridents, Copper and Zombie Conversion
Drowned are underwater zombies that spawn in oceans, rivers and dripstone cave aquifers, and in ocean ruins. Some hold a trident or a fishing rod, and drowned are the main way to get a trident in Survival. They drop rotten flesh and sometimes copper ingots, and a zombie left underwater for 45 seconds turns into one.
Where do drowned spawn?
In dark water in every ocean biome, in rivers (where they spawn more often) and in aquifers in dripstone caves. On Java they spawn in water at least 2 blocks deep, and in oceans only below Y=58; in rivers they can spawn even in daytime if the water is deep enough. Drowned also generate in some ocean ruins and do not despawn there.
How do you get a trident from a drowned?
Some drowned spawn holding a trident, some a fishing rod, and a few carry a nautilus shell in their off hand. About 6.25% spawn with a trident, and only those can drop one: an 8.5% chance in both editions (up to 11.5% with Looting III) when a player kills it. They also throw it at you. Tridents otherwise come only from vaults and chests in trial chambers. An adult drowned with a trident may spawn riding a zombie nautilus. See the trident and the nautilus.
What else do drowned drop?
| Drop (Java) | Normal | Looting III |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten flesh | 0-2 | 0-5 |
| Copper ingot | 11% | 17% |
Plus 5 experience, or 12 for a baby drowned (a gurgle). Gurgles are 5% of spawns, much faster, and fit through 1x1 gaps.
How does a zombie become a drowned?
A zombie with its head underwater for 30 seconds starts shaking, and 15 seconds later it becomes a drowned at full health. Only normal zombies convert: husks first turn into zombies, and zombie villagers and zombified piglins never do. See zombies.
Does ArtemisPvP have ocean monsters?
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a trident in Minecraft?
Kill drowned that hold one: an 8.5% drop chance, or 11.5% with Looting III.
How long does it take a zombie to become a drowned?
30 seconds with its head underwater, then 15 more seconds of shaking.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.