How to Deal with Vexes in Minecraft: A Practical Guide

Learn practical, step-by-step strategies to deal with vexes in Minecraft. Defend your base, survive raids, and defeat vexes safely with Craft Guide's expert tips.

Craft Guide
Craft Guide Team
·5 min read
Vex Tactics - Craft Guide
Quick AnswerSteps

You will learn practical steps to deal with vexes in Minecraft, including how to locate the evoker, prevent vex spawns, and safely defeat vexes during raids. You’ll learn to stay at range, shield against ambushes, and secure your base so vexes don’t overwhelm you. Follow these steps to subdue vexes with minimal risk.

Understanding vexes: what they are and how they appear

Vexes are flying hostile mobs spawned during Raids when an Evoker is present. They are fast, elusive, and capable of passing through solid blocks, which makes them especially dangerous in cramped bases or narrow corridors. According to Craft Guide, vex presence is often a signal that a raid is underway, and you should pivot quickly from exploration to defense. In practice, vexes target the closest player and coordinate with other raiders to pressure weak points in your fortifications. Because vexes can glide through gaps and through walls, simply sealing a doorway is rarely enough; you need to think in three dimensions—air, ground, and wall space. Keep your distance when possible, watch for the flutter of wings, and be prepared to retreat to a safer zone if a second vex joins the fray. The overarching rule is to maintain environmental control and avoid getting boxed in.

Where vexes come from: evokers and raids

Vexes are summoned by Evokers during a Raid. When an Evoker joins the battle, it can spawn vexes that fly toward players and rapidly close the distance. Vexes have a distinctive, translucent look and can pass through blocks, which makes them unusually dangerous in enclosed spaces. Craft Guide analysis shows that vex spawns are tied to the raid phase, so a siege can evolve from ground combat to aerial pressure quickly. Knowing this, you can plan routes, lighting, and chokepoints to blunt their mobility.

Preparing your base: safety and containment

Prepare a raid-ready fortress by sealing off vulnerable chokepoints with solid blocks, creating layered defenses, and maintaining clear escape routes. Use barriers or slabs to hint at safe boundaries while still allowing quick movement when needed. Keep essential items in a secure stash inside a safe room so you can retreat, heal, and regroup without exposing yourself to vexes. Lighting up approaches and elevating key areas helps you spot vexes early and respond before they overwhelm your defenses.

Locating vexes quickly: signs and tips

Listen for the telltale wingbeats and the faint buzzing that marks vexes in pursuit. Visual cues include fast, small, translucent shapes darting near ceilings or through gaps. In larger rooms, vexes often herd players toward corners; staying near open space with clear sightlines makes it easier to anticipate their movements. If you spot multiple vexes, it’s a strong sign a raid is escalating, so switch to higher alert and reposition to a safer perch.

Safe combat strategies: how to engage vexes

Engage vexes at range whenever possible. A bow or crossbow paired with steady aim is highly effective, especially from elevated positions or doorless rooms. Use your shield to block their hits as you retreat to a safer space, then return fire after vexes pause midair. Avoid crowded corridors where vexes can pressure you from above and behind; instead, funnel them into areas where you control the space and can retreat if the fight turns sour.

The best gear and enchantments for vexes

Equip sturdy armor and a reliable melee weapon for emergencies, but prioritize ranged gear for ongoing vex encounters. Enchantments that increase durability and protection—such as Protection and Unbreaking—help you endure raider pressure. A bow or crossbow with Power and Punch improves your ability to soften vex waves from a distance, while a shield reduces damage from aerial assaults. Consider lighting improvements and barrier blocks to slow vex air routes and create safer kill zones.

Handling vexes without drawing a raid

When possible, avoid provoking raids by staying clear of villages and outposts that could trigger Evoker spawns. If you stumble into a raid, focus on Evoker control—eliminate it quickly to halt new vex spawns—while keeping vexes off your back with retreat routes. Practice in controlled arenas where vexes spawn in predictable patterns so you learn the best angles and escape routes without risking your main base.

Post-raid cleanup: dealing with lingering vexes and loot

After a raid, sweep the area for lingering vexes, which can still harass you if left unchecked. Clear the battlefield field by field, kill remaining vexes with ranged shots from safe positions, and secure loot spawns quickly to avoid late summoning attempts. Check for damaged blocks or holes created during combat and repair them before resuming normal activity.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Avoid fighting vexes in cramped spaces where their pathing is unpredictable. Don’t ignore your escape routes or deny yourself a quick retreat when overwhelmed. Overcommitting to a melee brawl with vexes leads to rapid backup pressure from other raiders; instead, keep distance and reassess after every exchange.

Real-world scenarios: step-by-step example

Imagine you explore toward a village and a raid begins. You hear wingbeats above and spot an Evoker retreating behind a wall. You back away to a safe balcony, switch to ranged mode, and tag vexes as they surge through the room. You pivot to a second doorway with a shield raised, force vexes into an open corridor, and finish them one by one while Evoker is kept in view. When the Evoker falls, you sweep up the loot and seal the area to prevent additional spawns.

Authority sources

  • Minecraft Official Site: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/
  • Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Minecraft
  • BBC Games: https://www.bbc.co.uk/games

Tools & Materials

  • Iron Sword(Reliable backup for close-quarters if vexes break through ranged limits)
  • Bow or Crossbow(Primary tool for maintaining distance and avoiding wall breaches)
  • Arrows(Carry a healthy stack for sustained engagements)
  • Shield(Block vex hits and protect against aerial strafes)
  • Armor (iron or better)(Reduces damage during chaotic raids)
  • Lighting blocks (torches, lanterns)(Keep approaches lit to reveal vexes early)
  • Barriers or fences(Create quick chokepoints to control vex movement)
  • Water bucket or trench barriers(Temporary containment in open areas)
  • Workbench and building blocks(Repair and reinforce walls after combat)

Steps

Estimated time: Total time: 40-60 minutes

  1. 1

    Survey the area

    Before engaging, take a moment to assess the raid vicinity. Note evoker presence if visible, and identify the best retreat lines. This helps you plan the safest approach and reduces reactive panic.

    Tip: Keep a mental map of exits and potential blast zones.
  2. 2

    Create safe chokepoints

    Block off likely vex flight paths with solid blocks or barriers. This forces vexes to move through constrained spaces where you control the fight dynamics.

    Tip: Use barriers to create lasting bottlenecks rather than quick, temporary blocks.
  3. 3

    Switch to ranged and take position

    Adopt a elevated or open stance and engage vexes from a distance. Ranged combat keeps you away from their paths and reduces hit risk.

    Tip: Aim where vexes will be when they loop back toward you.
  4. 4

    Use a shield on incoming hits

    Raise your shield to block vex bites as you retreat to safety. This minimizes damage while you reposition.

    Tip: Time the shield with vex dives for maximum protection.
  5. 5

    Target the Evoker if possible

    Vex spawns are tied to the Evoker; concentrating on the Evoker can slow or halt additional vex waves. Remove the Evoker when safe.

    Tip: Coordinate with teammates to distract the Evoker while you close the distance.
  6. 6

    Reposition and reassess

    After trading blows, step back to reassess threats. Look for gaps, remaining vexes, or new spawn indicators.

    Tip: Don’t chase vexes into a corner; always maintain an exit route.
  7. 7

    Reinforce your defenses

    Repair any damage to blocks and re-light the area to reduce future spawn points. Durable walls and lit routes reduce risk during subsequent waves.

    Tip: Carry extra blocks for quick repairs mid-fight.
  8. 8

    Secure loot and retreat

    Gather loot only after vexes are cleared or when you have a clear retreat path. Don’t linger in a hot zone.

    Tip: Assign a loot guard to minimize exposure during cleanup.
  9. 9

    Equalize the field for a second wave

    If a second wave spawns, adjust your stance, widen your lines, and leverage the earlier defensive setup. Keep your escape path open.

    Tip: A quick regroup keeps morale and survival high.
  10. 10

    Exit safely and count your resources

    When you’ve stabilized, retreat to a safe base, count your supplies, and plan the next steps for fortification or raid continuation.

    Tip: Document what went well for future sessions.
  11. 11

    Heal and reinforce

    Heal missing health, repair damaged gear, and reinforce vulnerable blocks to reduce future risk.

    Tip: Carry a healing plan and a spare set of armor to minimize downtime.
  12. 12

    Review and adapt your strategy

    Reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how vex behavior changed your approach. Adapt your setup for better outcomes next time.

    Tip: Update your defense plan after each raid.
Pro Tip: Always have an escape route and a plan B.
Warning: Avoid fighting vexes in cramped rooms where they can overwhelm you quickly.
Note: Lighting and barriers dramatically reduce vex mobility and spawn risk.
Pro Tip: Coordinate with teammates to keep Evokers under pressure.
Note: Practice in a controlled arena to learn vex patterns without endangering your base.

People Also Ask

What are vexes in Minecraft?

Vexes are flying hostile mobs summoned by Evokers during raids. They glide through air and walls, challenging players in multi-layered combat.

Vexes are flying mobs summoned during raids that can pass through walls.

How do vexes spawn during raids?

Vexes spawn when an Evoker is involved in a Raid. They arrive in waves and pursue players, making aerial pressure an important factor in combat.

Vexes appear in waves when Evokers participate in raids.

What is the safest way to defeat vexes?

Defeat vexes from range whenever possible. Use a shield to block hits, retreat to safe spaces, and finish them off with accurate shots before they close in.

Keep your distance, shield, and shoot vexes from afar.

Can vexes despawn after a raid ends?

Vexes generally disappear once the raid ends, but any remaining vexes must be defeated before you can consider the area safe.

Vexes disappear after the raid ends, but you still need to clear any left.

How can I protect my base from vexes in the future?

Improve lighting, reinforce chokepoints, and keep escape routes open. Practice with ranged combat in safe areas to reduce panic during encounters.

Light up your base and reinforce escape routes to be ready for vexes.

Watch Video

The Essentials

  • Stay at range to manage vex aggression
  • Control flight paths with barriers and lighting
  • Prioritize Evoker elimination to halt spawns
  • Always have a retreat plan during raids
Three-step process showing vex handling in Minecraft
Dealing with vexes: a simple process