The Three Types of Golems You Can Build
Minecraft PC lets you build three kinds of golems, each with different materials and purposes. Iron golems protect your village and farm from hostile mobs. Snow golems shoot snowballs at enemies and leave snow trails as they walk. Wither golems are the hardest to make and spawn one of the game's most dangerous bosses—the Wither itself—so most players build them intentionally for a challenge.
Each golem requires a specific block arrangement placed in the world, then activated by placing a final block on top. Once you place that last block, the golem forms when ready and becomes a living mob under your control (or in the Wither's case, a hostile force you've unleashed).
Key Takeaways
- Iron golems need four iron blocks in a T-shape with a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern on top; they spawn in villages naturally but you can build them anywhere.
- Snow golems require two snow blocks stacked vertically with a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern placed on the top block.
- Wither golems use three soul sand blocks in a T-shape with three wither skeleton skulls placed on top—this spawns the Wither boss when ready.
- You must place the final block (pumpkin, jack-o'-lantern, or skull) to set up the golem; the structure alone does nothing.
- Iron and snow golems are helpful; the Wither is a boss fight, not a pet, and will attack you and destroy terrain.
How to Build an Iron Golem
Iron golems are the most useful golem to build. They protect villages from zombies, creepers, and other hostile mobs, and they do not attack you or your animals. To build one, you need four iron blocks and one pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern.
Arrange the four iron blocks in a T-shape: place three iron blocks in a horizontal line, then place one iron block directly below the center block. This creates an upside-down T when viewed from above. The vertical part of the T should be two blocks tall. Once the structure is in place, put a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern on top of the upper iron block. The golem will form when ready, and the pumpkin will disappear as the golem's head.
Iron golems are slow but powerful. They deal heavy damage to mobs and can knock enemies back several blocks. If you build multiple iron golems near your farm or village, they will patrol the area and kill any hostile mobs that spawn at night. They do not require food or commands—they work automatically once spawned.
How to Build a Snow Golem
Snow golems are faster and easier to build than iron golems, though they are much weaker in combat. You need two snow blocks and one pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern. Snow blocks are different from regular snow—you craft them from nine snowballs in a crafting table, or you can find them in snowy biomes.
Stack the two snow blocks vertically, one on top of the other. Then place a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern on the top block. The golem will spawn when ready. Snow golems shoot snowballs at hostile mobs within a certain range, dealing minimal damage but slowing enemies down. They also leave a trail of snow as they walk, which is useful if you want to create snow in a non-snowy biome.
Snow golems melt in warm biomes and take damage from rain and water. They are best used in cold or temperate areas. Unlike iron golems, they will not attack spiders or cave spiders, so they are less effective as a complete defense system.
How to Build a Wither Golem (Wither Boss)
Building a Wither is not the same as building a helpful golem—it spawns the Wither boss, one of the two hardest bosses in Minecraft. Most players build it intentionally to fight it and earn the Nether Star it drops. Do not build a Wither unless you are prepared for a difficult boss fight.
You need three soul sand blocks and three wither skeleton skulls. Soul sand is found in the Nether. Wither skeleton skulls drop from wither skeletons, which spawn in Nether fortresses. Arrange the soul sand in a T-shape: three blocks in a horizontal line with one block directly below the center. Then place the three wither skeleton skulls on top of the three upper soul sand blocks. The Wither will spawn when ready and will be hostile to you and all other mobs.
The Wither has three heads and shoots explosive projectiles. It regenerates health over time and is immune to poison and healing effects. Fighting it requires strong armor, weapons, and healing items. It will destroy terrain as it attacks, so consider building an arena with bedrock or obsidian walls if you want to contain the damage.
Materials You Need for Each Golem
| Golem Type | Materials Needed | Where to Find Them |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Golem | 4 iron blocks, 1 pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern | Iron ore from mining; pumpkins in pumpkin patches or villages |
| Snow Golem | 2 snow blocks, 1 pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern | Craft snow blocks from snowballs; pumpkins in pumpkin patches |
| Wither | 3 soul sand blocks, 3 wither skeleton skulls | Soul sand in the Nether; skulls drop from wither skeletons in Nether fortresses |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is forgetting to place the final block (pumpkin, jack-o'-lantern, or skull). The T-shaped structure alone does nothing—the golem only forms when you place the head block on top. If you build the structure and nothing happens, you forgot this step.
Another mistake is using the wrong block type. For iron and snow golems, you must use a pumpkin or jack-o'-lantern—carved pumpkins work, but uncarved pumpkins do not. For the Wither, you must use wither skeleton skulls, not regular skulls or other skull types. Check your inventory to confirm you have the right item before placing it.
Players also sometimes build iron golems in the wrong location. If you build one in a place where hostile mobs cannot spawn (like a well-lit area), the golem will have nothing to do. Iron golems work best near farms, villages, or dark areas where mobs spawn at night.
What Happens After Your Golem Spawns
Once an iron or snow golem spawns, it becomes a permanent mob in your world. It will not despawn, even if you leave the area. Iron golems patrol their surroundings and attack hostile mobs on sight. Snow golems wander randomly and shoot at enemies from a distance. Both will follow you if you hit them, so avoid accidentally striking them with your sword.
If you want to remove a golem, you can kill it with weapons or lava. Iron golems drop iron ingots and poppies when killed. Snow golems drop snowballs. The Wither, once spawned, must be fought to the death—it cannot be removed any other way, and it will continue to attack until either it or you dies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to feed or command my golem?
No. Iron and snow golems work automatically once spawned. They do not need food, commands, or any input from you. They will patrol and defend their area indefinitely. The Wither is a boss, not a pet, and will attack you and everything around it.
Can I move a golem to a different location?
You cannot pick up a golem or move it directly. You can lead an iron golem by hitting it repeatedly so it follows you, but this is slow. The easiest way to move a golem is to kill it and rebuild it in the new location. Snow golems can be pushed by water currents.
What if my pumpkin or skull does not turn into a golem head?
The block structure must be exactly right. Check that you have the correct number of blocks in a T-shape, that they are the correct block type (iron, snow, or soul sand), and that the final block is placed on top of the vertical part of the T. If the structure is wrong, the golem will not spawn.
Can iron golems attack other players in multiplayer?
Iron golems only attack hostile mobs, not players. They will not attack you or other players, even if you hit them. They are safe to build in shared multiplayer areas.
Will a snow golem melt in the Nether?
Yes. Snow golems take damage from heat and will melt quickly in the Nether or in hot biomes like deserts. They are only practical in cold or temperate biomes.