So, the new update just came out, and "some tweaks to the Wither" happened. I decided it was a good time to give a quick few tests to the thing.
After NUMEROUS tests where I tried various things (even including lobbing potions at it, see if they did anything) I have, in fact, been able to strike the horrible flying nightmare with arrows WITHOUT GETTING HIT. Enough times to prove it wasnt a fluke. This is a good thing. And I should point out, if *I* can do this, others can probably do it easier. I'm TERRIBLE with the bow. Always have been. My aim is utterly horrid. You'd think the Wither, up close, would present a nice, big, easy target even for me. You'd be wrong!
But on the other hand, it's *REALLY* freaking difficult to fire at it without getting hit, wether the arrow hits or not. It seems to be no longer utterly freaking impossible, but it's VERY hard. I used basic diamond armor without enchantments (as this is what I'd likely bring to a boss fight, and the only reason I'd craft diamond armor), unenchanted bow, unenchanted sword (diamond). Hitting the thing with the sword, at least in the first part of the fight, is futile. But arrows..... I was able to hit it with arrows and NOT get instantly annihilated. I also noticed that the skulls do not ALWAYS produce the status effect.
However, basic arrows still dont hurt it much (or, more accurately, it just has lots and lots of health). The trick is going to be to hit it enough times WITHOUT getting drained by it's powerful status effect, to where it just shrugs off the damage you do by eating your health. I find that splash potions.... to be used on MYSELF, not the boss.... are a good thing here, since I can look at the ground and instantly hit myself with them, instead of having to slowly drink them. The speed potions help me dodge it's horrible shots, but it's not absolutely necessary to do so (though, I'm thinking it's one of those things where if you DONT bring it, you're gonna have a decent chance of wishing you had).
The main problem in shooting it up close, in my tests, is the craters; it's *really* easy to get utterly screwed by these. If you fall into a crater that's deeper than one layer, you're done. That's it. You're probably not getting back out. This, though, is not an actual unfair condition, so I dont consider this a problem.
There is one other problem which is that you're in trouble if you need to open your inventory at all, but.... this is the point where you might run under some trees for a moment to do that, or something.
The MAIN point though, is that I was in fact able to hit the blasted thing without getting struck myself. It's just..... so goddamn hard to do.
More testing is necessary, and I dont have time right NOW, but....
If anyone else tries it out, post results as well.
Still, this thing might not be a COMPLETE mess at this point.
slightly slow down his wither skulls
limit his flying to 5 blocks above the ground.
problem solved, dodge able attacks AND possible to hit him with a sword
Guys I challenged you and the ideas you've responded with are good and very constructive. Thanks for responding positively instead of being insulted. I just wanted to turn this thread into a more positive feedback direction and I'm glad it has. Good to hear the latest patch has toned some things down. I'm looking forward to hearing other peoples feedback also.
So, the new update just came out, and "some tweaks to the Wither" happened. I decided it was a good time to give a quick few tests to the thing.
After NUMEROUS tests where I tried various things (even including lobbing potions at it, see if they did anything) I have, in fact, been able to strike the horrible flying nightmare with arrows WITHOUT GETTING HIT. Enough times to prove it wasnt a fluke. This is a good thing. And I should point out, if *I* can do this, others can probably do it easier. I'm TERRIBLE with the bow. Always have been. My aim is utterly horrid. You'd think the Wither, up close, would present a nice, big, easy target even for me. You'd be wrong!
But on the other hand, it's *REALLY* freaking difficult to fire at it without getting hit, wether the arrow hits or not. It seems to be no longer utterly freaking impossible, but it's VERY hard. I used basic diamond armor without enchantments (as this is what I'd likely bring to a boss fight, and the only reason I'd craft diamond armor), unenchanted bow, unenchanted sword (diamond). Hitting the thing with the sword, at least in the first part of the fight, is futile. But arrows..... I was able to hit it with arrows and NOT get instantly annihilated. I also noticed that the skulls do not ALWAYS produce the status effect.
However, basic arrows still dont hurt it much (or, more accurately, it just has lots and lots of health). The trick is going to be to hit it enough times WITHOUT getting drained by it's powerful status effect, to where it just shrugs off the damage you do by eating your health. I find that splash potions.... to be used on MYSELF, not the boss.... are a good thing here, since I can look at the ground and instantly hit myself with them, instead of having to slowly drink them. The speed potions help me dodge it's horrible shots, but it's not absolutely necessary to do so (though, I'm thinking it's one of those things where if you DONT bring it, you're gonna have a decent chance of wishing you had).
The main problem in shooting it up close, in my tests, is the craters; it's *really* easy to get utterly screwed by these. If you fall into a crater that's deeper than one layer, you're done. That's it. You're probably not getting back out. This, though, is not an actual unfair condition, so I dont consider this a problem.
There is one other problem which is that you're in trouble if you need to open your inventory at all, but.... this is the point where you might run under some trees for a moment to do that, or something.
The MAIN point though, is that I was in fact able to hit the blasted thing without getting struck myself. It's just..... so goddamn hard to do.
More testing is necessary, and I dont have time right NOW, but....
If anyone else tries it out, post results as well.
Still, this thing might not be a COMPLETE mess at this point.
limit his flying to 5 blocks above the ground.
problem solved, dodge able attacks AND possible to hit him with a sword
by c0yote
I tried it with terrible results. I gave my wife my glasses for a second, a creeper showed up and now my wife is pregnant.
Stupid 3D..