Skeleton

Skeleton
Type	Hostile Mob
Health
Damage Dealt
Drops	0-2 (+Loot Level) Bones, 0-2 Arrows, 0-1 Bows, 0-1 Armor pieces
First Appearance	Update 0.3.3

A Skeleton is a Hostile Mob that were added in Update 0.3.3.

Spawning

Skeletons can spawn at Light Level 7 or below. In the Nether, they can also spawn in Nether Fortresses at a light level of 7 or less in place of a Wither Skeleton.

80% of Skeletons in Snow Biomes at night will be Strays.

Behavior

Skeletons will attack any Player within a 16-Block radius by shooting Arrows from its Bow. Their Arrows can deal up to two heart damage () each, though this can be reduced if the Player wears Armor. If a Skeleton is on Fire, it will shoot burning Arrows, thus setting fire to a Player/Mob if they get too close.

Skeletons, like Zombies, burn and take damage upon entering sunlight.

Combat

When fighting Skeletons, the best strategy is to use a Bow, as it is very hard to attack Skeletons using a Sword. However, if using a top-tier sword like Iron or Diamond, melee can be considered an option.

Trivia

• Skeletons cannot hold Swords in Pocket Edition, but Wither Skeletons are able to hold a Sword.
• They are one of seven mobs (the other six being Zombies, Zombie Pigmen, Wither Skeletons, Husks, Strays and Witches) that can hold an Item.
• Skeletons do not burn in sunlight if they are in Water, in shade or if they are wearing a Helmet.
  • However the helmet will eventually lose durability, making the Skeleton burn after several minutes.
• Skeletons can hit Endermen with their Arrows, even though Players cannot.
• As of Update 0.12.1, Skeletons have improved AI — they have greater accuracy which increases with Difficulty.
• As of Update 0.13.0, Wolves chase and kill Skeletons.
• Unlike Zombies, a Skeleton will not leave shade to attack the Player.
• As of Update 0.15.0, Skeletons have the same Al as Skeletons in the PC version 1.9.