{{Infobox entity
| group = Idle
| 1-1 = Wither Skeleton.png
| group2 = Targeting
| 2-1 = Wither Skeleton Targeting.png
| health = {{hp|20}}
| behavior = Hostile
| mobtype = [[Undead]], [[Monster]]
|invimage=Wither Skeleton Spawn Egg
| damage = '''Melee:''' <br>'''Armed'''<br> Easy: {{hp|5|withered=1}}<br>Normal: {{hp|8|withered=1}}<br>Hard: {{hp|12|withered=1}}<br>'''Unarmed'''<br> Easy: {{hp|2|withered=1}}<br>Normal: {{hp|2|withered=1}}<br>Hard: {{hp|3|withered=1}}<br>'''Wither:''' <br>{{hp|1|withered=1}} per 2 sec<br>{{EffectLink|id=wither|Wither (effect)|Wither}} for 10 sec ({{hp|5|withered=1|notag=1}})<br>'''Ranged:'''<br> Easy: {{hp|2}} - {{hp|4}}<br>Normal: {{hp|3}} – {{hp|5}}<br>Hard: {{hp|4}} - {{hp|8}}<br>[[Fire]] for 5 sec ({{hp|4|notag=1}})<br>
| spawn = {{EnvLink|Nether Fortress}} <br> When a [[wither]] reaches half health.{{only|bedrock|short=1}}<br>
| speed = 0.25 when idle and 0.3125 when attacking
| size = '''{{IN|Java}}:'''<br>
Height: 2.4 blocks<br>Width: 0.7 blocks

'''{{IN|Bedrock}}:'''<br>
Height: 2.412 blocks<br>Width: 0.864 blocks
| equipment = 
{{drop|Item|id=Stone Sword|text=Stone Sword|sword}}
}}

'''Wither skeletons''' are tall black variants of [[skeleton]]s equipped with stone [[sword]]s that inflict the poison-like [[Wither (effect)|Wither]] effect. They are found exclusively in [[nether fortress]]es and are the only source of [[wither skeleton skull]]s, as well as the only [[renewable]] source of [[coal]].

== Spawning ==
Wither skeletons spawn in [[nether fortress]]es at a [[light#Light level|light level]] between 0 and 7, in [[Spawn#Pack spawning|groups]] of up to 4. They are the only mobs that can spawn inside [[wither rose]]s due to their immunity to the damaging effect.

=== Halloween ===
{{exclusive|java|section=1}}
On Halloween, wither skeletons have a 22.5% chance of spawning wearing a {{BlockLink|carved pumpkin|link=pumpkin}} and a 2.5% chance of spawning wearing a {{BlockLink|jack o'lantern}}. This is not dropped.

=== Withers ===
{{exclusive|Bedrock|section=1}}
The [[wither]] spawns 3-4 wither skeletons when below half health on normal and hard [[Difficulty|difficulties]].

== Drops ==
{{DropsTableHead}}
{{DropsLine|name=Coal|quantity=-1-1|lootingquantity=1}}
{{DropsLine|name=Bone|quantity=0-2|lootingquantity=1}}
{{DropsLine|version=je|name=Wither Skeleton Skull|quantity=1|dropchance=2.5|lootingchance=1|playerkill=yes}}
{{DropsLine|version=be|name=Wither Skeleton Skull|quantity=1|dropchance=2.5|lootingchance=2|playerkill=yes}}
{{DropsLine|name=Wither Skeleton Skull|quantity=1|rollchancenote=Only when killed by a [[charged creeper]]. {{IN|Java}}, only one skull or head drops per charged creeper explosion, even if multiple mobs are killed by it.}}
{{DropsTableFoot}}
* 8.5% chance of dropping their unenchanted stone [[sword]] which has a random [[durability]]. This chance increases by 1% per level of Looting, for a maximum of 11.5% chance with Looting III.
* {{xp|5}} experience orbs when killed by a [[player]] or tamed [[wolf]], and an additional {{xp|1|3}} is dropped per piece of naturally-spawned equipment that ''does not'' drop upon death.
** Because all wither skeletons spawn with a stone sword, each of them effectively drop {{xp|6|8}} if the sword is not dropped.
** If the wither skeleton ''does'' drop its stone sword, it drops the default {{xp|5}} instead.
* A [[carved pumpkin]] or [[jack o'lantern]] worn by a wither skeleton spawned on Halloween is never dropped.

== Behavior ==
Wither skeletons wander aimlessly when idle. They [[sprint]] to attack [[player]]s, [[snow golem]]s, [[iron golem]]s, [[Turtle#Predators|baby turtles]], [[piglin]]s, and [[piglin brute]]s within 16 blocks. They flee from [[wolves]] but retaliate if attacked. 

When an [[entity]] is attacked by a wither skeleton on any [[difficulty]], it is inflicted with the [[Wither (effect)|Wither effect]] for ten seconds, which turns the [[health]] bar black ({{hp|20|notag=1|withered=1}}) and decreases it by {{hp|1|withered=1}} every two seconds. Unlike [[Poison]], this effect can drop health to zero and cause death.

In Normal and Hard difficulties, some wither skeletons pick up dropped equipment. The chance depends on [[Difficulty#Regional difficulty|regional difficulty]], with up to 55% of them capable of picking up [[sword]]s higher than stone [[tiers|tier]] plus any [[armor]]. Wither skeletons never take {{ItemLink|bow}}s; {{in|Java}}, if they hold a bow (which can be done with {{cmd|/summon wither_skeleton ~ ~ ~ {HandItems:[{id:bow,count:1}]} }}) they shoot flaming [[arrow]]s even if their bows are not enchanted. If the wither skeleton is holding a [[tipped arrow]] or [[spectral arrow]] in its off-hand, it shoots that type of arrow, and the arrow held is not consumed. They cannot use [[crossbow]]s.

Wither skeletons are immune to [[fire]] and the Wither effect. They still seek shade or [[water]] during daylight if they are in the [[Overworld]], even though they do not burn in [[sun]]light.

{{IN|bedrock}}, the player can burn them by throwing a [[trident]] enchanted with [[Channeling]] during a [[thunderstorm]].

Being an [[undead]] mob, they are: 
* damaged by the status effect [[Instant Health]] and healed by the status effect [[Instant Damage]].
* unaffected by the status effects [[Regeneration]] and [[Poison]].
* ignored by the [[wither]].
* affected by the [[Smite]] enchantment.
* unable to swim in [[water]], but do not drown.
* a threat to [[armadillo]]s, causing them to hide in their shell.

== Sounds ==
{{JE}}:<br>
Wither skeletons use the Hostile Creatures sound category for [[Sound#Entity-dependent categories|entity-dependent sound events]].

{{SoundTable
| type = java
| {{SoundLine
| sound =Wither skeleton idle1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton idle2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton idle3.ogg
|subtitle=Wither Skeleton rattles
|source=hostile
|description=Randomly
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.ambient
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.wither_skeleton.ambient
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2
|distance=16}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton hurt1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton hurt2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton hurt3.ogg
|sound4=Wither skeleton hurt4.ogg
|subtitle=Wither Skeleton hurts
|source=hostile
|description=When a wither skeleton is damaged
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.hurt
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.wither_skeleton.hurt
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2
|distance=16}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton death1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton death2.ogg
|subtitle=Wither Skeleton dies
|source=hostile
|description=When a wither skeleton dies
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.death
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.wither_skeleton.death
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2
|distance=16}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton step1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton step2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton step3.ogg
|sound4=Wither skeleton step4.ogg
|subtitle=Footsteps
|source=hostile
|description=While a wither skeleton is walking
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.step
|translationkey=subtitles.block.generic.footsteps
|volume=0.15
|pitch=1.0
|distance=16}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Bow shoot.ogg
|subtitle=Skeleton shoots
|source=hostile
|description=When a wither skeleton shoots an arrow (when given a bow through commands)
|id=entity.skeleton.shoot
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.skeleton.shoot
|volume=1.0
|pitch={{frac|5|6}}-1.25
| distance = 16
}}
}}

{{BE}}:
{{SoundTable
| type = bedrock
| {{SoundLine
| sound =Wither skeleton idle1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton idle2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton idle3.ogg
|source=hostile
|description=Randomly
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.ambient
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton hurt1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton hurt2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton hurt3.ogg
|sound4=Wither skeleton hurt4.ogg
|source=hostile
|description=When a wither skeleton is damaged
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.hurt
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton death1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton death2.ogg
|source=hostile
|description=When a wither skeleton dies
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.death
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.8-1.2}}
| {{SoundLine
|sound=Wither skeleton step1.ogg
|sound2=Wither skeleton step2.ogg
|sound3=Wither skeleton step3.ogg
|sound4=Wither skeleton step4.ogg
|source=hostile
|description=While a wither skeleton is walking
|id=entity.wither_skeleton.step
|volume=0.15
| pitch = 1.0
}}
}}

== Data values ==
=== ID ===
{{JE}}:
{{ID table
|edition=java
|showentitytags=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Wither Skeleton
|spritetype=entity
|nameid=wither_skeleton
|entitytags=can_breathe_under_water, ignores_poison_and_regen, inverted_healing_and_harm, skeletons, undead, wither_friends
|foot=1}}

{{BE}}:
{{ID table
|edition=bedrock
|shownumericids=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Wither Skeleton
|spritetype=entity
|nameid=wither_skeleton
|id=48
|foot=1}}

=== Entity data ===
Wither skeleton have entity data associated with them that contains various properties. The wither skeleton is taller than the skeleton.

{{JE}}:
{{main|Entity format}}
{{/ED}}

{{BE}}:
: See [[Bedrock Edition level format/Entity format]].

== Achievements ==
{{load achievements|Monster Hunter;Camouflage;Sniper Duel;Overkill;It Spreads;Over-Overkill}}

== Advancements ==
{{load advancements|Adventure;Monster Hunter;Monsters Hunted;Spooky Scary Skeleton;Sniper Duel;It Spreads;Take Aim;Arbalistic;A Throwaway Joke;Over-Overkill}}

== History ==
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|java}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.2|dev=12w36a|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w38b|Wither skeletons now spawn more frequently.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.4|dev=1.4.3|Wither skeletons can now sprint toward the [[player]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8|dev=14w11a|Wither skeletons now run away from [[creeper]]s that are about to explode.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=14w25a|Wither skeletons no longer visibly catch fire when going into fire or lava.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=14w30a|Wither skeletons now drop their [[wither skeleton skull|skull]] when killed by a charged creeper.
|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE2.png|32px]] The weapon holding position of wither skeletons has been changed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8.1|dev=pre1|Wither skeletons no longer run away from [[creeper]]s that are about to explode.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.9|dev=15w31a|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE3 BE2.png|32px]] Wither skeletons now lower their arms when idle and swing their arms when [[damage|damaging]] something.
|Wither skeletons now sometimes (11% of times) spawn with their left hand as their main hand.
|Wither skeletons now have the ability to hold [[item]]s in both of their hands.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=15w39a|Wither skeletons are now slightly shorter (2.4 [[block]]s tall rather than 2.535) and narrower (0.7 blocks instead of 0.72).}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.10|dev=16w20a|Added separate [[spawn egg]]s for wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=pre2|The wither skeleton spawn egg has been removed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.11|dev=16w32a|The wither skeleton spawn egg has been re-added.
|The [[entity]] ID has been changed changed from {{code|Skeleton}} to {{code|wither_skeleton}}, {{code|SkeletonType}} tag is removed.
|The wither skeleton's in-game name is now "Wither Skeleton" instead of "Skeleton".|Creepers no longer drop music discs when killed by wither skeletons.<ref>{{bug|MC-112579}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=16w39a|Wither skeletons now have their own [[sound]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13|dev=18w19a|Wither skeletons now sink underwater.
|Wither skeletons no longer [[drown]] underwater.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.14|dev=18w43a|[[File:Wither Skeleton.png|32px]] The texture of wither skeletons has been changed.
|Wither skeletons are now immune to the [[Wither (effect)|Wither effect]].|[[Creeper]]s now drop [[music disc]]s when killed by wither skeletons again.{{fn|Wither skeletons can only be given the ability to damage creepers through commands, such as being given a bow.}}}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=19w09a|Wither skeletons holding [[tipped arrow]]s or [[spectral arrow]]s in their off-hand now shoot that type of [[arrow]].<ref>{{bug|MC-106133}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine||September 28, 2019|link={{ytl|leBJrc15yno|t=702|}}|Announced [[piglin]]s, which attack wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.15|dev=19w37a|Mobs that spawn wearing carved pumpkins or jack o'lanterns on Halloween no longer drop them.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16|dev=20w07a|Added piglins, which attack wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w10a|Wither skeletons now attack piglins on sight.<ref>{{bug|MC-172567}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w21a|Wither skeletons are now the only [[mob]]s that can spawn on [[wither rose]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19|dev=Pre-release 1|Wither skeletons now spawn from light level 0 to 11.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.3|dev=22w46a|Wither skeletons now spawn from light level 0 to 7 in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.20.3|dev=23w40a|Wither skeletons are now part of the {{cd|#can_breathe_under_water}} and {{cd|#undead}} [[tag]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.21.4|dev=24w45a|Prefer to pick [[bows]] from the ground as opposed to other items.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=24w46a|Wither skeletons no longer pick up bows.}}

|{{HistoryLine|pocket alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.12.1|dev=build 1|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=build 9|Wither skeletons are now larger than regular [[skeleton]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=build 12|Added new [[sound]]s for dying wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.15.0|dev=build 1|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE3 BE2.png|32px]] Wither skeletons now lower their arms when idle and swing their arms when [[damage|damaging]] something.
|Added separate [[spawn egg]]s for wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.16.0|dev=build 4|Wither skeletons now spawn when a [[wither]]'s [[health]] reaches 50%.}}
|{{HistoryLine|pocket}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.1.0|dev=alpha 1.1.0.0|The [[entity]] ID has been changed from {{code|skeleton.wither}} to {{code|wither_skeleton}}.}}
|{{HistoryLine|bedrock}}
|{{HistoryLine||?|Wither skeletons no longer spawn with gear (or [[enchanting|enchanted]] gear).}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.5.0|dev=beta 1.5.0.0|Wither skeletons now sink in [[water]].
|Wither skeletons no longer [[drown]] underwater.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=beta 1.5.0.4|Wither skeletons now seek and attack baby [[turtle]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.10.0|dev=beta 1.10.0.3|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE4 BE3.png|32px]] The texture of wither skeletons has been changed.|Wither skeletons can now be renamed with a [[name tag]].<ref>{{bug|MCPE-20701}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine||?|Wither skeletons no longer spawn as riders in [[spider jockey]]s when [[spider]]s are spawned in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.0|dev=beta 1.16.0.51|Wither skeletons now have ability to pick up [[item (entity)|item]]s.
|Added [[piglin]]s, which attack wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.60|dev=Preview 1.19.60.22|Wither skeletons now spawn from light level 0 to 7 in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.20.40|dev=Preview 1.20.40.20|Wither skeletons now have the same [[sound]]s as in {{JE}}.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.21.30|dev=Preview 1.21.30.24|Wither skeletons now have the same "step" sounds as in {{JE}}.<ref>{{bug|MCPE-174857}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|console}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU19|xbone=CU7|ps3=1.12|psvita=1.12|ps4=1.12|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU20|xbone=CU8|ps3=1.13|psvita=1.13|ps4=1.13|Wither skeletons now rarely spawn anywhere in the [[Nether]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU31|xbone=CU19|ps3=1.22|psvita=1.22|ps4=1.22|wiiu=Patch 3|Wither skeletons no longer visibly catch fire when going into fire or lava.|Wither skeletons now drop their [[Wither Skeleton Skull|skull]] when killed by a charged [[creeper]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU46|xbone=CU33|ps3=1.36|psvita=1.36|ps4=1.36|wiiu=Patch 13|Wither skeletons now use the [[Java_Edition_removed_features#Mob_sounds|old sound]] for dying.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU46|xbone=CU36|ps3=1.38|psvita=1.38|ps4=1.38|wiiu=Patch 15|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE3 BE2.png|32px]] Wither skeletons now lower their arms when idle and swing their arms when [[damage|damaging]] something.|Wither skeletons now sometimes spawn with their left hand as their main hand.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU54|xbone=CU44|ps3=1.52|psvita=1.52|ps4=1.52|wiiu=Patch 24|switch=1.0.4|Added separate [[spawn egg]]s for wither skeletons.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU57|xbone=CU49|ps3=1.57|psvita=1.56|ps4=1.56|wiiu=Patch 27|switch=1.0.7|Wither skeletons no longer fear daylight and attack anything that lives.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU60|xbone=CU51|ps3=1.64|psvita=1.64|ps4=1.64|wiiu=Patch 30|switch=1.0.11|Wither skeletons now spawn when a [[wither]]'s [[health]] reaches 50%.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU69|xbone=none|ps3=1.76|psvita=1.76|ps4=1.76|wiiu=Patch 38|switch=none|Wither skeletons now sink in [[water]].
|Wither skeletons no longer [[drown]] underwater.|Wither skeletons now have the same sounds as {{in|java}}.}}
|{{HistoryLine|new 3ds}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.1.0|[[File:Wither Skeleton JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added wither skeletons.}}
}}

== Issues ==
{{issue list}}

== Trivia ==
* Wither skeletons can't fit through the gap under the staircase of the [[nether wart]] room in [[fortress]]es.

== Gallery ==
=== Renders ===
<gallery>
Wither Skeleton.png|A wither skeleton
Wither Skeleton with Carved Pumpkin.png|A wither skeleton with a [[carved pumpkin]] on its head.
Wither Skeleton in iron armor.png|A wither skeleton wearing iron [[armor]] and wielding an iron [[sword]].
Wither Skeleton Aiming without a Sword.png|A wither skeleton targeting without a weapon.
Wither Skeleton with Bow.png|A wither skeleton holding a [[bow]], ready to fire an arrow.
</gallery>

=== Screenshots ===
<gallery>
Skeleton comparison.png|A wither skeleton being compared to its variants {{in|je}}.
WitherSkeletonOverworld.jpg|A wither skeleton in the [[Overworld]].
Wither Skeleton Jockey.png|A wither jockey.
Wither Skeleton 2.png|A wither skeleton next to the wall of a nether fortress.
MInecraft-Nether-Soulsand-Valley-01.jpg|A preview of two wither skeletons in the [[Soul Sand Valley|soul sand valley]].
Wither Skeleton and Blaze.png|A wither skeleton and a [[blaze]] idling in a [[nether fortress]].
Blazes and Wither Skeleton near a Spawner.png|A wither skeleton and two [[blaze]]s near a blaze [[monster spawner]].
Wither skeleton on Halloween..png|Wither skeleton wearing a pumpkin on Halloween.
Wither Skeleton Halloween Screenshot.png|Wither skeleton wearing a [[jack o'lantern]] in the [[nether]].
Tikiana WitherSkeleton1.png|A wither skeleton in a nether fortress.
File:Wither Skeleton with Tall Kai.png|A wither skeleton compared to a tall player.{{only|Bedrock}}
</gallery>

=== Textures ===
<gallery class="pixel-image">
Wither Skeleton (texture).png|Wither skeleton texture file.
</gallery>

=== In other media ===
<gallery>
File:Pretty Scary Update poster.png|Wither Skeleton in promotional artwork for the [[Pretty Scary Update]].
File:NetherUpdateArtwork.png|Wither Skeletons in promotional artwork for the [[Nether Update]].
File:Wither Skeleton (Dungeons).png|A [[MCD:Wither Skeleton|Wither Skeleton]], as it appears in [[Minecraft Dungeons]].
File:LEGO Wither skelly.png|[[LEGO Minecraft]] Wither Skeleton.
File:Acid Wither Skeleton.png|"Acid Wither Skeleton," an officially licensed T-Shirt design.
File:Wither Skeleton Bottle.png|An officially licensed cup featuring a wither skeleton.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Skeleton (disambiguation)]]
* [[Wither]]

== Notes ==
{{fnlist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Navigation ==
{{Navbox mobs}}

[[Category:Hostile mobs]]
[[Category:Undead mobs]]
[[Category:Nether mobs]]
[[Category:Monster mobs]]

[[cs:Wither kostlivec]]
[[de:Witherskelett]]
[[es:Esqueleto del Wither]]
[[fr:Wither squelette]]
[[it:Scheletro wither]]
[[ja:ウィザースケルトン]]
[[ko:위더 스켈레톤]]
[[nl:Witherskelet]]
[[pl:Witherowy szkielet]]
[[pt:Esqueleto wither]]
[[ru:Скелет-иссушитель]]
[[zh:凋灵骷髅]]
