Aim for the head
A qualifying arrow hit to the head deals 1.5 times its normal arrow damage: a 50% bonus. The mechanic works automatically, with no command to enable it.
Headshots apply to players, skeletons, zombies, pillagers and creepers. They do not apply to every creature, and the Ender Dragon is not a supported headshot target.
- Damage bonus
- 1.5 times normal arrow damage on a qualifying head hit.
- Supported targets
- Players, skeletons, zombies, pillagers and creepers.
- Projectile limits
- Spectral arrows and other projectile types do not receive this headshot bonus.
Recognising a successful hit
Aim at the target's head as it is positioned now. Detection follows the target's current height and pose, including crouching, swimming and smaller or scaled targets.
A successful damaging headshot produces critical-hit particles and sounds. Player shooters also see HEADSHOT! above the hotbar. A player who receives the hit can see that message too.
Cancelled or fully blocked damage does not produce confirmed headshot feedback. Piercing arrows are checked at each target's own impact height, so hitting one head does not automatically make every later hit a headshot.
- Line up an arrow shot at the target's current head position.
- Adjust your aim as the target moves or changes pose.
- Look for the HEADSHOT! message, critical particles and sound after the hit.
Watch incoming arrows too
The bonus is based on an arrow's impact, so arrows fired by mobs can also land headshots on supported targets. It is not limited to player-versus-player combat.
Use the same care around hostile archers that you would around another player with a bow. The headshot message can appear when you are the target, as well as when you make the shot.