How does brewing work?
Potions are brewed in a Brewing Stand, which requires Blaze Powder as fuel (one powder = 20 brews). You can brew up to three potions at once by filling the bottom three slots. The ingredient goes in the top slot and is consumed after one brew cycle.
The brewing process
- Step 1: Fill Glass Bottles with water from a water source or cauldron.
- Step 2: Add Nether Wart to Water Bottles to create Awkward Potion — the base for almost every useful potion.
- Step 3: Add the primary ingredient (e.g. Ghast Tear for Regeneration, Sugar for Swiftness).
- Step 4: Optionally add a modifier: Redstone Dust to extend, Glowstone Dust to strengthen, Gunpowder to splash.
Getting brewing ingredients
Most brewing ingredients require a trip to the Nether. Nether Wart grows on Soul Sand in Nether Fortresses. Blaze Powder is crafted from Blaze Rods dropped by Blazes in Nether Fortresses. Magma Cream drops from Magma Cubes or is crafted from Slimeball + Blaze Powder. Ghast Tears are dropped by Ghasts.
Splash and Lingering Potions
Adding Gunpowder to any potion converts it into a Splash Potion that can be thrown like an egg. It affects all entities in the impact area, making it great for healing teammates or harming enemies. The area of effect is smaller than the bottle's range implies — aim at the target's feet for best results.
Adding Dragon's Breath (collected from the Ender Dragon's breath cloud using a glass bottle) to a Splash Potion creates a Lingering Potion. When thrown, it leaves a cloud on the ground that applies its effect to anyone who walks through it for up to 30 seconds.
PvP potion tips
- Strength II + Sharpness V sword = extremely high damage output
- Fire Resistance removes the risk from fire-based PvP arenas
- Splash Harming II deals 6 hearts instantly — always carry a few in PvP
- Splash Slowness reduces enemy kiting ability significantly
- Splash Weakness + Golden Apple cures zombie villagers