Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Wither Skeletons: How to Get Wither Skeleton Skulls
Wither skeletons are tall black skeletons with stone swords that spawn only in Nether fortresses. Their hit gives the Wither effect, which turns your health bar black and can kill you. Each one has a 2.5% chance to drop a wither skeleton skull (on Java Looting adds 1% per level, up to 5.5%; on Bedrock 2% per level, up to 8.5%), and you need three skulls to summon the Wither.
How do you get wither skeleton skulls?
Kill wither skeletons with a Looting III sword: the skull chance rises from 2.5% to 5.5% on Java (8.5% on Bedrock). Expect to kill a few dozen for three skulls. A charged creeper explosion also always makes them drop their skull. Then build the Wither: how to summon the Wither. Other heads: mob heads.
Where do they spawn?
Only in Nether fortresses, in light level 7 or lower: anywhere inside one fortress piece's area, or on Nether bricks across the whole fortress area. They spawn in groups of 5 on Java and 2-3 on Bedrock. A dark Nether brick platform inside a fortress makes a simple farm. See Nether fortresses.
How do you fight wither skeletons?
- They are 2.4 blocks tall, so a 2-block-high tunnel keeps them out while you hit their legs.
- Wither lasts 10 seconds per hit and drains 1 HP every 2 seconds; drink milk to remove it.
- As undead they take extra damage from Smite, are hurt by Instant Health and healed by Instant Damage.
- Wolves attack them on sight; see wolves.
What else do they drop?
Coal (0-1, more with Looting), bones (0-2) and sometimes their stone sword. They are the only renewable source of coal, and a farm also gives bones for bone meal.
Does ArtemisPvP have bosses?
Frequently asked questions
What is the drop chance of a wither skeleton skull?
2.5%, plus 1% per Looting level on Java, so 5.5% with Looting III.
Where do wither skeletons spawn?
Only in Nether fortresses.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.