Minecraft Raid Mechanics: Spawning and Wave Progression

Key Takeaways

Point	Details
A raid begins when	A raid begins when Bad Omen (from killing an illager captain) converts to Raid Omen inside a village, then expires after 30 seconds.
In Java Edition, a	In Java Edition, a 'village' is defined by any subchunk containing a claimed point of interest (bed, job site, bell).
The raid center is	The raid center is initially the average of all claimed POIs within 64 blocks of the triggering player.
Waves grow larger over	Waves grow larger over time, spawning pillagers, witches, evokers, ravagers, and vindicators.
In Bedrock Edition, the	In Bedrock Edition, the trigger area is a 64×23×64 box around the village center, not the POI-based system of Java.
Raids can be turned	Raids can be turned off in Java Edition with the game rule raids set to false.

A raid is an ominous event in which waves of illagers, witches, and ravagers spawn and attack a village. Here's exactly how the spawning and wave progression work in both Java and Bedrock Edition.

How Raids Are Triggered

To start a raid, you first need the Bad Omen status effect. You get Bad Omen by killing an illager captain — a pillager or vindicator wearing a banner. When you then enter a village, Bad Omen transforms into Raid Omen.

A raid is an ominous event in which waves of illagers, witches, and ravagers spawn and attack a village. A raid is an ominous event in which waves of illagers, witches, and ravagers spawn and attack a village.

It is triggered when a player with the Raid Omen effect runs out of said effect while inside a village. It is triggered when a player with the Raid Omen effect runs out of said effect while inside a village.

If you drink milk before the 30-second countdown finishes, the Raid Omen is cleared and the raid is canceled. Once the effect naturally expires, the raid begins: a bossbar labeled "Raid" appears and starts charging over 15 seconds. A villager runs to ring the bell, and all villagers within 96 blocks (spherical) from the raid center begin panicking until the bar fills.

Spawn Mechanics and Raid Center

In Java Edition, the definition of a "village" is precise:

In Java Edition, any subchunk containing a POI (point of interest: a bed, job site, or bell) claimed by a villager counts as a village. In Java Edition, any subchunk containing a POI (point of interest: a bed, job site, or bell) claimed by a villager counts as a village.

When you enter a 3×3×3 subchunk region around such a village with Bad Omen, the effect becomes Raid Omen and expires after 30 seconds to start the raid (unless you are in the Nether, which disallows raids in Java).

The raid center is initially the average position of all claimed POIs within 64 block radius of the player when the raid triggers. The raid center is initially the average position of all claimed POIs within 64 block radius of the player when the raid triggers.

Raid waves spawn some distance from that center and move toward it. If no valid spawn spots exist far away, they may appear much closer. A horn sounds from the direction of each wave, 13 blocks away from the player.

If all POIs (beds, job sites, bells) inside the subchunk around the raid center are lost — villagers killed or blocks destroyed — the center moves to the nearest subchunk still counting as a village within a 5×5×5 subchunk region. If none remain, the raid ends in defeat.

Wave Progression and Composition

Each wave brings more and tougher enemies.

Each subsequent wave is larger, with more mobs, including pillagers, witches, evokers, ravagers, and vindicators. Each subsequent wave is larger, with more mobs, including pillagers, witches, evokers, ravagers, and vindicators.

The bossbar is red and shows the total remaining health of all raid mobs (each segment represents 1/10 of the bar). When fewer than three mobs are alive, the exact number displays. The bossbar is visible to players up to 96 blocks away.

Key Differences Between Java and Bedrock Edition

Aspect	Java Edition	Bedrock Edition
Village detection	Subchunk with claimed POI (bed, job site, bell)	64×23×64 area around the village center
Raid trigger area	3×3×3 subchunks around village	64×23×64 box centered on village center (1.12 blocks below)
Raid Omen duration	30 seconds	30 seconds
Allowed dimensions	All except Nether	All dimensions? (not specified in packet)
Disabling raids	/gamerule raids false	Not available (game rule not present)

In Bedrock Edition, when a player with Bad Omen enters a 64×23×64 region around a village center (technically 1.12 blocks below the center), the effect transforms into Raid Omen that disappears after 30 seconds, and then the raid starts. In Bedrock Edition, when a player with Bad Omen enters a 64×23×64 region around a village center (technically 1.12 blocks below the center), the effect transforms into Raid Omen that disappears after 30 seconds, and then the raid starts.

In Java Edition, you can also use the game rule to disable raids entirely: set /gamerule raids false and no new raids can start (existing ones continue).

For more on defending your village, see our guide on How to Build a Boss Fight Arena in Minecraft 2026 — many of the same principles apply to raid-proofing. And don't forget a Totem of Undying for those clutch moments.