How to start a Raid in Minecraft is something many players want to learn once they begin exploring villages and hunting for valuable rewards. Raids are large-scale battles that occur when waves of hostile Illagers attack a village, providing players with a challenging combat event and some excellent rewards.
If you’re wondering how to start a Raid in Minecraft, you’ll first need to obtain the Bad Omen effect and then enter a village. Once these conditions are met, the raid will begin automatically.
Learning how to start a Raid in Minecraft is also important because raids are one of the best ways to obtain Totems of Undying, emeralds, and the powerful Hero of the Village effect.
What Is a Raid in Minecraft?
A Raid is a special event where hostile Illagers attack a village.
Several waves of enemies appear and attempt to overwhelm the village.
Raid Enemies
| Mob | Appears in Raids |
|---|---|
| Pillager | Yes |
| Vindicator | Yes |
| Evoker | Yes |
| Witch | Yes |
| Ravager | Yes |
The number of waves depends on the game difficulty.
Why Start a Raid?
Before learning how to start a Raid in Minecraft, it’s useful to understand the rewards.
Raid Rewards
| Reward | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Emeralds | Valuable Currency |
| Totems of Undying | Rare Item |
| Hero of the Village | Trading Discounts |
| Experience | Useful Progression |
Many players intentionally farm raids for these rewards.
How to Start a Raid in Minecraft
To trigger a raid, you’ll need the Bad Omen effect.
Basic Steps
- Find a Pillager Outpost.
- Defeat a Pillager Captain.
- Receive Bad Omen.
- Enter a village.
- Trigger the raid.
This is the standard process for how to start a Raid in Minecraft.
What Is Bad Omen?
Bad Omen is a status effect gained after defeating a Pillager Captain.
Pillager Captains carry banners on their heads.
Bad Omen Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Obtained From | Pillager Captain |
| Required for Raids | Yes |
| Multiple Levels | Yes |
Without Bad Omen, a raid cannot begin.
How to Find a Pillager Outpost
Pillager Outposts generate throughout the Overworld.
Outpost Benefits
| Resource | Available |
|---|---|
| Pillagers | Yes |
| Pillager Captains | Yes |
| Loot Chests | Yes |
Most players obtain Bad Omen at an outpost.
How to Start a Raid in Minecraft Once You Have Bad Omen
After gaining the effect:
- Travel to a village.
- Cross the village boundary.
- Wait for the raid bar to appear.
- Prepare for combat.
The raid starts automatically.
How Many Waves Does a Raid Have?
The number of waves varies.
Raid Wave Count
| Difficulty | Approximate Waves |
|---|---|
| Easy | Fewer |
| Normal | Moderate |
| Hard | Most |
Hard difficulty raids provide the greatest challenge.
Best Equipment for Raids
Preparation makes a huge difference.
Recommended Gear
| Item | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Diamond Armour | Yes |
| Netherite Armour | Better |
| Bow | Essential |
| Shield | Highly Recommended |
| Food | Essential |
Raids can become chaotic very quickly.
How to Get Totems of Undying From Raids
One reason players search how to start a Raid in Minecraft is to farm Totems.
Totem Source
| Mob | Drops Totem |
|---|---|
| Evoker | Yes |
Every Evoker defeated drops a Totem of Undying.
For more information, see How to Get a Totem of Undying in Minecraft.
What Is Hero of the Village?
Successfully defending a village grants Hero of the Village.
Hero of the Village Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Better Trades | Yes |
| Discounts | Yes |
| Free Gifts | Sometimes |
This is one of the best villager-related rewards in the game.
Common Raid Mistakes
Starting a Raid Unprepared
Raids can be much harder than expected.
Forgetting a Shield
Many raid mobs use ranged attacks.
Fighting Without Food
Long battles require plenty of supplies.
Losing Track of Remaining Enemies
The final enemy is often hidden somewhere nearby.
Best Villages for Raids
Many experienced players create dedicated raid villages.
Ideal Features
- Flat terrain
- Easy visibility
- Nearby storage
- Villager protection
This makes raids much easier to manage.
Why Raids Are Worth Doing
Learning how to start a Raid in Minecraft unlocks one of the most rewarding combat events in the game. Between Totems of Undying, emeralds, experience, and Hero of the Village rewards, raids provide valuable resources while offering a fun challenge for survival players.
For more Minecraft guides, check out How to Find a Village in Minecraft, Minecraft Villager Trading Guide, and How to Get Emeralds Fast in Minecraft.
For more Minecraft tips, tutorials, and walkthroughs, be sure to visit our Minecraft Guides Hub. You’ll find guides covering villagers, enchantments, diamonds, Netherite, The End, potion brewing, building ideas, and everything else you need to master Minecraft.
