How to Make Totem of Undying: The Complete Guide to Obtaining This Life-Saving Item

The totem of undying is one of Minecraft's most coveted items, offering players a second chance at life when facing certain death. However, many players are confused about how to obtain this powerful artifact. If you've been searching for a crafting recipe or wondering how to make a totem of undying, this comprehensive guide will clarify everything you need to know about acquiring this life-saving item.

For those new to totems, you might want to start by learning what a totem of undying is before diving into acquisition methods.

The Truth About Totem of Undying Crafting

You Cannot Craft Totems of Undying

The most important thing to understand about totems of undying is that they cannot be crafted at any crafting table. Unlike most items in Minecraft, there is no crafting recipe for totems of undying. This is an intentional design decision by Mojang that makes these items rare and valuable.

Many players spend countless hours searching for crafting recipes online or experimenting with different material combinations, but these efforts are futile. The totem of undying is classified as a "rare drop" item, meaning it can only be obtained through specific gameplay mechanics rather than crafting.

Why No Crafting Recipe Exists

The absence of a crafting recipe for totems of undying serves several important gameplay purposes:

Game Balance: Totems provide an extremely powerful effect - preventing death and restoring health when your health reaches zero. If players could craft unlimited totems, it would make the game too easy and remove much of the challenge and risk. To understand exactly what the totem of undying does, check our detailed breakdown of its mechanics.

Rarity and Value: By making totems difficult to obtain, Mojang ensures they remain special items that players treasure and use strategically rather than carelessly.

Encouraging Exploration: The only way to get totems is by venturing into dangerous areas and facing challenging enemies, which encourages players to explore and engage with the game's combat systems.

The Only Way to Obtain Totems: Defeating Evokers

What Are Evokers?

Evokers are hostile illager mobs that serve as mini-bosses in Minecraft. These powerful spellcasters are among the most dangerous enemies in the game, wielding magic attacks that can quickly overwhelm unprepared players. They appear as gray-robed figures with crossed arms and glowing eyes.

Where to Find Evokers

Evokers spawn in two specific locations:

Woodland Mansions: These massive, rare structures generate in dark forest biomes. Evokers spawn naturally within these mansions and will respawn during raids if the mansion is near a village.

Village Raids: Evokers appear during raids on villages, typically in the later waves (waves 5, 6, and 7 of a raid). They're among the most dangerous raid participants.

The 100% Drop Rate

When you successfully defeat an Evoker, it will always drop one totem of undying. This 100% drop rate means that every Evoker kill guarantees you'll receive this valuable item, making them the most reliable source for totems. For more detailed strategies and locations, see our complete guide on how to get totem of undying.

Combat Strategies for Defeating Evokers

Understanding Evoker Attacks

Before engaging Evokers, it's crucial to understand their attack patterns:

Vex Summoning: Evokers can summon 2-4 vex mobs that fly through blocks and attack with iron swords. These small, ghostly creatures are extremely dangerous and should be your priority target.

Fang Attack: Evokers create a line of fangs that emerge from the ground, dealing significant damage. These fangs follow a predictable pattern, making them avoidable with proper timing.

Wololo Spell: When near blue sheep, Evokers can change them to red sheep using a "wololo" spell, though this doesn't affect combat.

Recommended Equipment and Preparation

Armor: Full diamond or netherite armor with protection enchantments is highly recommended. Consider bringing backup armor pieces in case of durability loss.

Weapons: A sharp sword (diamond or netherite) with enchantments like Sharpness, Looting, and Sweeping Edge. A bow with Power and Infinity enchantments provides ranged attack options.

Food: Bring plenty of high-quality food like golden apples, cooked beef, or bread to maintain health during extended fights.

Potions: Healing potions, strength potions, and fire resistance potions can provide crucial advantages in combat.

Shields: A shield can block fang attacks and provide defense against vex attacks, though vexes can phase through blocks.

Combat Tactics

Target Prioritization: Always kill vexes first before focusing on the Evoker. Vexes have limited health but deal significant damage and can fly through walls.

Movement and Positioning: Stay mobile to avoid fang attacks. The fangs appear in straight lines, so side-stepping is usually effective.

Use Ranged Attacks: Bows allow you to maintain distance while dealing damage, reducing your exposure to dangerous melee attacks.

Environmental Advantages: In Woodland Mansions, use doorways and narrow corridors to limit Evoker movement and funnel vexes into manageable groups.

Alternative Strategies and Advanced Tips

Raid Farming for Multiple Totems

While Woodland Mansions provide a guaranteed Evoker encounter, raid farming offers a more sustainable method for obtaining multiple totems. For players looking to optimize their totem acquisition, consider setting up a dedicated totem farm for maximum efficiency:

Setting Up Raids: Obtain the Bad Omen effect by killing a pillager captain, then approach a village to trigger a raid.

Raid Preparation: Fortify the village with walls, lighting, and defensive structures. Consider building a dedicated raid farm for efficiency.

Managing Multiple Evokers: Higher-level raids spawn multiple Evokers, potentially yielding several totems from a single event.

Multiplayer Considerations

Team Coordination: In multiplayer servers, coordinate with teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can tank damage while others focus on DPS.

Resource Sharing: Share totems among team members based on roles and risk levels. Players venturing into dangerous areas like the Nether or End should prioritize carrying totems.

Trading Systems: Establish trading systems with other players who might have excess totems from their own Evoker hunting.

Conservation and Strategic Use

When to Use Totems: Save totems for genuinely dangerous situations like End fighting, Nether exploration, or challenging mob encounters. Don't waste them on routine activities.

Backup Planning: Always carry multiple totems when possible, as the totem's effect only works once before being consumed.

Storage Solutions: Create dedicated storage systems for totems, keeping them easily accessible but secure from accidental loss.

Long-Term Totem Acquisition Strategies

Establishing Sustainable Sources

Locate Multiple Woodland Mansions: Use online tools or exploration to find several mansions within reasonable travel distance of your base.

Village Raid Cycling: Develop efficient systems for triggering and completing raids at multiple village locations.

Group Expeditions: Organize regular group expeditions to tackle Evokers, sharing resources and splitting rewards.

Maximizing Efficiency

Preparation Checklists: Develop standard equipment loadouts and preparation checklists for Evoker hunting expeditions.

Transportation Solutions: Establish fast travel methods (ice roads, elytra paths, nether portals) to reach Evoker locations quickly.

Resource Management: Maintain dedicated supplies for Evoker hunting, including spare equipment, food, and potions.

Conclusion

While totems of undying cannot be crafted, they remain obtainable through dedicated effort and strategic planning. By understanding that Evokers are the sole source of these powerful items and preparing appropriately for combat encounters, players can build up a reliable supply of totems for their most dangerous adventures.

Once you've obtained your totems, make sure you know how to use totem of undying effectively to maximize their life-saving potential.

Remember that patience and preparation are key to successful Evoker hunting. Each totem represents a significant achievement and provides invaluable insurance against unexpected deaths in Minecraft's most challenging situations. Whether you choose to explore Woodland Mansions or farm village raids, the investment in obtaining totems of undying will pay dividends in your long-term survival and exploration goals.

The next time you face a dangerous situation in Minecraft, you'll be grateful for the time spent acquiring these life-saving artifacts. Happy hunting, and may your totems serve you well in your adventures!