It's spooky season once again and the Phantom fights right into it.
Night Sky Invaded by the Minecraft Phantom!
A spectral threat looms over Minecraft’s overworld as reports are flooding in of a chilling phenomenon haunting the night skies. Known as the Minecraft phantom, this spectral predator has been striking fear into the hearts of players who dare to skip their beauty sleep. Eyewitness accounts describe glowing eyes piercing through the darkness and the haunting shrieks of these winged terrors as they descend from above. Villager Q from a savannah village told us: “It’s just terrible! You only skipped 3 nights of sleep and now I’m hassled by these winged beasts!”
At the same time, others seem to find the direct sleep reminder helpful. Adventurer S sent us a letter from his volcano fortress saying: “I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I get 8 hours of beauty sleep every night and have never even seen a Minecraft phantom.”
This raises the question: Is there a place in this world for the phantom? From Minecraft news comes another close look at the strange biology of this blocky world.
What do Phantoms Do in Minecraft?
“I’ve seen them. Flying in the night, those green eyes fixed on their next prey. There’s a reason we are afraid of the night and it’s not because of those bats, I can tell you that much!” - Villager P, famous night owl
First observed after the ‘Update Aquatic,’ phantoms have been known to be a hostile mob for some time. Their primary targets? Sleep-deprived players who haven’t rested in a bed for three or more days. Unlike other mobs, phantoms spawn high in the night sky and dive-bomb their victims with alarming precision.
Their body appears to have evolved for the sole purpose of hassling sleep-deprived players. A Minecraft phantom is distinguished by its translucent wings and eerie green glowing eyes. However, due to their classification as undead, they share some quirks with skeletons and zombies. This includes extreme sunlight sensitivity, to the point where sunlight becomes a source of fire damage for them. Warriors that have the ‘smite’ enchantment report greater damage when striking at the phantom. From Minecraft veterans, we have also learned that throwing potions with healing effects onto them seems to damage them.
But now that we know how to identify and repel the phantom, what can the average player do to prevent the Minecraft phantom from spawning in the first place?
When do Minecraft Phantoms Spawn?
“I was just fletching my arrows peacefully and lost track of time. Next thing I know, these things are swooping down on me. I barely made it back to my house alive!” - Fletcher R, seasoned villager
Even villagers seem unnerved, often retreating indoors earlier than usual. Meanwhile, builders working on large outdoor buildings report havoc as phantoms disrupt their progress. But what is the source of these demonic flappers? Recent studies have found that whenever Minecraft phantom sightings have been recorded, a very sleepy player was seen close by. Could this be a coincidence? We have asked Sleepy Sam, an adventurer known for refusing to lay in a bed. According to him, he is currently preparing to survive the 100 days in Minecraft challenge and will only sleep again once it is completed. However, he refused to comment on his Minecraft phantom situation.
Meanwhile, when asked if there was a connection between sleep refusal and a phantom spawn, Dr T, a biologist specializing in the game’s animals, stated: “Yes.” His opinion aligns with that of every adventurer and villager we have interviewed, who report that 3 days of staying awake will cause a Minecraft phantom spawn.
How to Fight the Minecraft Phantom?
“It was like a miracle. Just one night’s sleep has improved my mood, softened my skin and removed that pesky Minecraft phantom!” - Adventurer A, sleep enthusiast
As there seems to be a direct link between sleep and the Minecraft phantom spawn, experts advise players to sleep regularly to prevent phantoms from spawning altogether. A quick nap in a bed resets what researchers tentatively call the ‘insomnia timer’, ensuring peaceful nights. This is perhaps the most direct and simple method, as continuously resetting the timer will prevent the phantom from spawning indefinitely.
For those that lost track of time, solid armor and ranged weapons like bows are effective tools against phantom attacks. As mentioned earlier, healing potions and weapons enchanted with ‘smite’ also provide a solid solution to the Minecraft phantom problem.
However, there are even more ways to deal with these flying nuisances. Creative builders have begun installing anti-phantom roofs over their outdoor workstations. By combining a daylight sensor and an arrow-filled dispenser, the Minecraft phantom can be held at bay. “It’s not the prettiest solution, but it keeps the skies clear,” says hobby redstone engineer J.
The Minecraft Phantom Debate: Curse or Consequence?
“The existence of the Minecraft phantom is inherently a paradoxical one. Would we even sleep without it? Is it our choice not to sleep that calls the phantom into existence? And why does it not spawn in the Nether or the End? And one more thing…” - Philosopher R, quote shortened for readability
While the previous text was very negative towards the phantom, there is another side to its existence. Many players view phantoms as a nuisance, but others see them as an essential part of Minecraft’s ecosystem. “They’re a clever way to encourage players to use beds and maintain a rhythm,” argues Mojang aficionado C. “Without them, some of us would just mine endlessly without ever pausing to rest.”
Additionally, adventures such as B see the Minecraft phantom as a reliable way to repair their elytra: “How else are we supposed to do that? Just smash 2 elytra together on an anvil? Well that’s just wasteful.”
Critics, however, argue that phantoms unfairly target players engaged in long-term projects or those in survival challenges where beds aren’t readily available. Yet even they had to admit that brewing potions of slow falling is rather useful when asked – for which you need phantom membranes.
The Minecraft Phantom’s Place in the World
We leave it to you to judge the Minecraft phantom. Is it an annoying flying mob or a helpful reminder to take some time off every once in a while? It’s your call. And if you have never felt the claws of this beast, then do not hesitate to hop onto a Minecraft server from GPORTAL and find out for yourself.
