Are endermen evil in Minecraft?

Minecraft has always been filled with blank spaces in its lore. One of the most intriguing topics is the End and its teleporting mob, the endermen. Are endermen inherently evil, or is there more to their behavior than meets the eye? These tall, lean mobs are known for teleporting and picking up blocks, but what is the purpose behind these actions?

The endermen were initially created by Notch as a reference to the Slenderman meme. However, there’s more to their block-carrying habit than simple gameplay mechanics. Minecraft Game Design (2019), an internal document, revealed an interesting detail about the endermen.

These mobs collect blocks one at a time to slowly displace them to cause potential collapse in the different dimensions of Minecraft’s world. While this process is incredibly slow and would take years to achieve, it implies that endermen might have sinister intentions.

If their goal truly is to destroy the dimensions, it raises the question, why? Without understanding their motives, it’s difficult to judge whether they are truly evil or simply following some unknown instinct or directive. But it does seem that they are meant to be evil. Let’s get into the theories that surround their existence.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinion.

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Theories exploring Endermen mystery

Endermen are one of the most iconic mobs from Minecraft (Image via Mojang)

What makes endermen even more mysterious is the lack of any information about their origin. Mojang has intentionally kept many details about these mysterious mobs hidden. This approach has fueled endless speculation among fans, leading to numerous theories about who or what endermen are.

A fan theory suggests that endermen are descendants of ancient builders and that they somehow mutated over time to become endermen. According to this theory, the ancient builders once inhabited the Overworld and engaged in a war with the piglins. After the war against the Nether, they tried to find a new dimension. This led to the eventual discovery of the End.

The ancient builds to survive in the barren environment of the End consumed the only food found in the dimension which was the chorus fruits. This fruit is known for its teleportation effects. This diet supposedly transformed these builders into the endermen we know today.

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Their origin is still a mystery in Minecraft

The End remains a mystery (Image via Mojang)

Fans have made so many theories over all these years, but the endermen’s true origin along with their purpose will remain a mystery. This intentional ambiguity is part of what makes Minecraft so fascinating. It allows players to create their own stories and interpretations, adding depth to the game’s world.

Until Jeb or someone else from Mojang decides to reveal the truth, we can only theorize about the endermen’s true nature. Are they evil, or are they simply misunderstood? Their actions, such as picking up blocks and potentially collapsing dimensions, suggest they might have dangerous intentions.

Without knowing their motives, it’s hard to say for sure. For now, the endermen remain one of Minecraft’s greatest mysteries, keeping players guessing.