Trident Farming: Strategies for Rare Drops

Tridents stand out in the Minecraft arsenal as incredibly potent and versatile weapons. Their unique enchantments – Loyalty for automatic return after throwing, Channeling to summon lightning upon hitting a mob during thunderstorms (perfect for creating Charged Creepers or acquiring mob heads like Zombie, Skeleton, and Creeper heads), and Riptide for exhilarating aquatic and rain-powered movement – make them highly sought after. The inability to combine Loyalty or Channeling with Riptide further incentivizes collecting multiple tridents to specialize their function: one for ranged combat and utility, another for rapid traversal. However, their rarity poses a significant challenge. Obtaining one, let alone multiple for different enchantment sets, requires dedication and an effective farming strategy. This guide delves into the mechanics and methods to significantly improve your odds of acquiring this coveted weapon.

Drowned Mechanics: Understanding the Source

Mastering trident farming starts with understanding the Drowned, the exclusive source of this weapon. These waterlogged undead are more than just wet zombies; their spawning and equipment mechanics are key.

• Exclusive Source: Only Drowned mobs can drop Tridents. No other mob or structure loot table contains them. This exclusivity makes targeted farming essential. Forget searching chests or bartering; you must confront the Drowned directly.
• Spawn Locations: Drowned primarily spawn naturally in Ocean biomes (all variants except Warm Oceans in Java Edition, though they spawn in all ocean types including Warm in Bedrock) and River biomes. They require a light level of 0 to spawn naturally. They tend to spawn more frequently in deeper waters, particularly in oceans. Underwater caves and aquifers connected to these biomes can also be hotspots.
• Natural Spawns vs. Conversions: It's crucial to distinguish between naturally spawned Drowned and those created when a regular Zombie drowns (submerged in water for 30 seconds). Only naturally spawned Drowned have a chance to spawn holding a Trident. Zombies that convert into Drowned never carry naturally generated equipment like Tridents or Nautilus Shells. Therefore, any farm relying on converting zombies will not yield Tridents. Your farming efforts must focus on locations and mechanics that utilize natural Drowned spawns.
• Spawn Weapon Chance (Java Edition): In Java Edition, the odds are quite low. Only 6.25% of Drowned naturally spawn holding a Trident in their main hand. If they spawn in Hard difficulty, there's an additional small chance (based on regional difficulty) they spawn with other armor pieces or even a Nautilus Shell in their off-hand. Regional difficulty, a value calculated per chunk based on total playtime in the chunk, moon phase, and time since the last player died nearby, gradually increases the chance of mobs spawning with equipment over time, slightly boosting the likelihood of encountering trident-wielding Drowned in areas players frequent. However, this effect is minor compared to the base spawn chance.
• Drop Chance (Java Edition): Of those Drowned that do spawn holding a Trident, only 8.5% will actually drop it when killed by a player (or tamed wolf). This results in a very low overall base probability: 0.0625 * 0.085 = 0.53125% chance per naturally spawned Drowned kill. This highlights the need for efficient, high-volume farming methods in Java Edition.
• Bedrock Edition Rates: Bedrock Edition players have a noticeably easier time. 15% of Drowned spawn holding a Trident. Furthermore, Drowned that spawn with a Trident have a 25% chance to drop it when killed by the player. This leads to a much higher overall base probability: 0.15 * 0.25 = 3.75% per naturally spawned Drowned kill. This nearly 7x higher base chance makes Bedrock trident farming considerably faster, and manual hunting becomes a much more viable option.
• Looting Enchantment: The Looting enchantment on your killing weapon is crucial and arguably the most important factor you control directly. Each level of Looting increases the drop chance:
  • Java Edition: Increases the drop chance by 1% per level (9.5% at Looting I, 10.5% at Looting II, 11.5% at Looting III). Looting III increases the final drop chance from 0.53% to 0.71875% per Drowned kill – a relative increase of about 35% over the base chance. While still low, this is a significant improvement when killing hundreds of Drowned.
  • Bedrock Edition: Increases the drop chance by a substantial 4% per level (29% at Looting I, 33% at Looting II, 37% at Looting III). Looting III boosts the final drop chance from 3.75% to a remarkable 5.55% per naturally spawned Drowned kill holding a trident. This nearly 50% relative increase over the already higher base rate makes Looting III almost essential for efficient Bedrock farming.

Farming Strategies

Given the low drop rates, especially in Java Edition, simply swimming around hoping to find and kill trident-wielding Drowned is highly inefficient. Effective strategies focus on maximizing encounters and kills per hour.

Choosing Your Hunting Ground

The location significantly impacts spawn rates.

• Oceans: Generally the best option due to their vastness. Deep oceans are often preferred as Drowned can spawn at various depths. Building a platform or conduit base high above the seafloor can help manage spawns below. Ocean monuments, once cleared, can also become Drowned spawning zones, but the complex structure can make farming tricky. Avoid Warm Oceans in Java, as Drowned do not naturally spawn there.
• Rivers: Rivers flowing through other biomes are also valid spawn locations. Their narrower confines can make Drowned easier to spot and funnel, but the total spawnable area is usually much smaller than oceans, potentially leading to lower overall rates. A deep, wide river section might be suitable for a smaller-scale farm or manual hunting.
• Player Proximity: Like most hostile mobs, Drowned spawning depends on player proximity. They spawn in a 128-block radius sphere around the player but despawn instantly if more than 128 blocks away and have a chance to despawn over time if between 32 and 128 blocks away. Farming locations and AFK spots must be designed with this in mind.

Essential Gear and Preparation

Before embarking on a trident hunt, proper gear is essential for survival and efficiency.

• Weapon: A Sword enchanted with Looting III is paramount. Sharpness V helps speed up kills. Smite is particularly effective against undead like Drowned. Knockback can be helpful for crowd control but might push Drowned out of optimal kill zones in farms.
• Armor:
  • Helmet: Respiration III (longer underwater breathing), Aqua Affinity I (normal underwater mining speed). Protection IV is standard.
  • Chestplate/Leggings: Protection IV.
  • Boots: Depth Strider III (faster underwater movement), Protection IV. Feather Falling IV is always useful, especially if operating at heights near your farm.
• Underwater Vision: Crucial for spotting Drowned, especially those holding Tridents.
  • Potions of Night Vision: Essential for clarity underwater. Bring extended duration (8:00) versions.
  • Conduit: If building a permanent or semi-permanent farm, a Conduit is invaluable. It grants Conduit Power, providing unlimited water breathing, night vision, and increased mining speed within its range (up to 96 blocks), eliminating the need for Respiration, Aqua Affinity, and Night Vision potions within its effect radius. Setting one up requires a Heart of the Sea and Nautilus Shells (ironically, often dropped by Drowned themselves, though rarely).
• Food and Healing: Standard supplies for any extended mob grinding session. Golden Apples can be lifesavers in tight situations.
• Shield: Useful for blocking incoming trident throws, which can deal significant damage.

Method 1: Manual Ocean/River Hunting

This is the simplest method, requiring minimal setup but often yielding lower returns, especially on Java. It's more viable on Bedrock due to higher drop rates.

1. Gear Up: Equip the essential gear mentioned above. Ensure you have multiple Night Vision potions or a Conduit nearby.
2. Patrol: Swim or boat through deep ocean or river biomes, actively scanning the depths for Drowned. Prioritize deeper areas.
3. Identify and Engage: Look specifically for Drowned holding Tridents. Engage them carefully, using your shield to block throws and your Looting sword for the kill. Be mindful of other hostile mobs (Guardians near monuments, other Drowned).
4. Efficiency Tips: Travel during the day to minimize surface spawns interfering. Use Depth Strider boots and/or dolphins (Dolphin's Grace) to cover ground faster. Establish safe rest spots (small air pockets, Conduit zones) to recover health or potion timers.

Method 2: Building a Drowned Farm (Java Focus)

Due to the abysmal Java drop rates, an automated or semi-automated farm is almost necessary for obtaining multiple Tridents in a reasonable timeframe. These farms exploit natural Drowned spawning mechanics.

1. Location: Find a deep ocean biome (not Warm). Build high above the sea floor (e.g., Y=150 or higher) to ensure most natural mob spawns occur in your farm's vicinity rather than dark caves below. Alternatively, meticulously light up all caves within the 128-block spawn radius sphere – a far more tedious task.
2. Design Principles:
   • Maximize Spawn Surfaces: Create large platforms or areas within the ocean biome at appropriate depths (usually below Y=60) where Drowned can spawn in darkness.
   • Transport System: Use water currents, bubble columns (created with Soul Sand for upward movement or Magma Blocks for downward movement), or pathfinding manipulation (e.g., using turtles or villagers to attract Drowned) to move spawned Drowned to a central collection point. Soul Sand bubble columns are common for lifting Drowned.
   • Killing Chamber: Design a safe area where Drowned are funneled and can be killed easily by the player. This often involves reducing them to low health (e.g., fall damage, magma blocks) and then finishing them with a Looting III sword. Ensure the player can stand safely while striking the mobs. A common design uses a 2-block high waterlogged area where Drowned gather, with the player hitting their feet from below or through a slab opening.
   • AFK Spot: Position an AFK spot within 128 blocks of the spawning platforms but ideally more than 24 blocks away (to allow spawning) and ensure it keeps the killing chamber loaded. The optimal height relation between the AFK spot and the farm influences rates significantly.
3. Important Considerations:
   • The farm must be dark (light level 0) in the spawning areas.
   • Ensure the entire farm structure is within a single biome (usually deep ocean) where Drowned spawn naturally.
   • Remember, only naturally spawned Drowned work. Do not incorporate Zombie-to-Drowned converters.
   • These farms can be complex to build and require a good understanding of spawning mechanics, water physics, and mob AI. Referencing specific, up-to-date Java farm designs from community experts is highly recommended.

Method 3: Optimized Bedrock Farming

Bedrock's higher rates make things easier. While large-scale farms similar to Java designs work, they often aren't strictly necessary unless aiming for mass collection.

• Manual Hunting Viability: As mentioned, manual hunting with Looting III is significantly more effective. Spending a few nights patrolling deep oceans or rivers with Night Vision can yield results much faster than in Java.
• Simpler Farms: Smaller, easier-to-build farms can be quite effective. A simple design might involve finding a deep spot in an ocean, clearing a small area, and using a Conduit for buffs while manually killing Drowned that spawn nearby. Funneling them slightly with basic water streams towards a central killing point can improve efficiency without requiring complex redstone or precise platform placement.
• Spawner Note: While some older Bedrock versions had exploits involving nether portals or specific setups to create Drowned farms, relying on natural ocean/river spawns is the standard and most reliable method currently. Drowned spawners do not exist naturally in Survival mode on either platform.

Maximizing Efficiency and Safety

• Kill Quickly: Use a powerful sword (Sharpness V / Smite V) to dispatch Drowned fast.
• Crowd Control: Drowned often spawn in groups. Use sweeping attacks (Java) or Knockback to manage them. Shields are vital against multiple ranged attackers.
• Stay Alert: Tridents hurt! Be ready to block or dodge. Keep health topped up.

Managing Your Catch

• Durability: Tridents have the same base durability as Iron tools (250). Thrown Tridents do not lose durability unless enchanted with Riptide and used for propulsion. Melee attacks consume durability as normal.
• Repair: Tridents can be repaired using an Anvil with another Trident or with Prismarine Shards (each shard restores 25% durability). The Mending enchantment is highly recommended, allowing the Trident to repair itself using experience orbs collected while it's held (main hand or off-hand).
• Enchanting: Prioritize getting Mending and Unbreaking III on any Trident you plan to use regularly. Then choose your primary function:
  • Ranged/Utility: Loyalty III (fast return), Channeling I (lightning utility). Impaling V (extra damage against aquatic mobs - affects Drowned, Guardians, fish, squid, dolphins, turtles in both versions; Java also includes Axolotls).
  • Movement: Riptide III (max propulsion). Note: Cannot be combined with Loyalty or Channeling. Impaling V is still beneficial if used for underwater combat.
  • Consider having multiple Tridents: one Riptide for travel, one Loyalty/Channeling for combat and utility.

Trident farming requires patience and preparation, especially in Java Edition. By understanding the Drowned mechanics, choosing the right location, gearing up properly, and employing an efficient farming strategy, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining this powerful and unique Minecraft weapon. Good luck, and happy hunting!