5 of the best illagers in the Minecraft universe

The illagers are the hostile counterparts of villagers in Minecraft and are an essential part of the game’s ecosystem. This mob offers the players both challenges and rewards and enhances their Minecraft experience. Be it the relentless crossbow attacks of pillagers or the magical illusions of illusioners, each illager variant brings something unique to the game.

Whether you’re defending a village from a raid or exploring the spin-off worlds of Minecraft, the various illagers are sure to leave a lasting impression. On that note, here are five of the best illagers in the game.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinion. Furthermore, the entries are not ranked in any particular order.

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Best illagers in the Minecraft universe

1) Pillager

Pillager raids are something special (Image via Mojang Studios)

Found patrolling near villages or stationed at pillager outposts, these crossbow-wielding adversaries stand out for their relentless pursuit of players, villagers, and iron golems. Their presence in raids and patrols adds both challenge and strategy, as players must carefully navigate their ranged attacks while dealing with other threats.

Pillagers have also gained recognition for their unique behaviors. In Bedrock Edition, if a pillager accidentally hits a vindicator, the vindicator will retaliate, creating unexpected moments of chaos. However, this interaction does not occur in Java Edition, where illagers maintain unity.

As one of the most frequently encountered illagers, pillagers have become iconic, cementing their place in the Minecraft rogue's gallery.

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2) Vindicator

A classic found in the woodland mansion (Image via Mojang Studios)

Armed with iron axes, vindicators charge at their targets with alarming speed and deal significant melee damage. Found in woodland mansions and raids, vindicators are formidable foes, especially for players without strong armor or weapons.

One of their most amusing quirks is tied to the "Johnny" name tag Easter egg. When renamed "Johnny," a vindicator becomes hostile to almost every mob in the game, excluding evokers, other vindicators, pillagers, ghasts, and players in Creative or Spectator mode.

Vindicators drop emeralds, iron axes, and ominous banners, offering worthwhile rewards for players brave enough to face them. Their sheer power and unique personality solidify their spot as one of the best illagers.

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3) Arch-Illager

Archie is such a cool character (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Arch-Illager, also known as Archie, is a standout character exclusive to Minecraft Dungeons. As the primary antagonist of the game, he leads the illager empire with the help of the Orb of Dominance, a magical artifact that grants him immense power.

Archie’s backstory adds depth to his character. Originally a small and weak villager, he was ostracized by his community, which drove him to seek power and revenge. This tragic origin story, combined with his role as a boss, makes the Arch-Illager one of the most memorable characters in the Minecraft universe.

As a boss, he commands armies of illagers and uses the orb’s magic to create a challenging and dynamic fight. His complex personality and significant role in the illager lore make him a standout addition to the franchise.

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4) Iceologer

Iceologer should have won the mob vote (Image via Mojang Studios)

The iceologer is an illager variant that introduces exciting new mechanics to Minecraft Dungeons through the Creeping Winter DLC. This frosty foe specializes in summoning ice chunks that hover above targets before crashing down.

Although iceologers are exclusive to Minecraft Dungeons, they were a contender in the 2020 Minecraft mob vote to join the main game. Unfortunately, they lost to the glow squid, but their potential inclusion in the base game continues to be a popular topic among fans.

Iceologers would be a perfect fit for Minecraft’s colder biomes, which currently lack unique hostile mobs. Their innovative combat mechanics and thematic design make them one of the most exciting illager variants, even if they’re currently limited to spin-off content.

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5) Illusioner

One of the coolest mobs that should spawn naturally (Image via Mojang Studios)

The illusioner don’t spawn naturally in the base game and can be summoned using commands. They combine ranged combat with powerful magical abilities. These illagers fire arrows at their targets and can also cast spells that create illusory clones of themselves, confusing players during combat.

Additionally, they can cast a blindness effect, further disorienting their enemies and enhancing their mysterious vibe. Despite their exclusivity to commands, illusioners have captured the imagination of the Minecraft community. Their unique mechanics and potential for future updates make them one of the most creative and exciting illagers in the game.