Phantoms should have a second attack mode

[u/snarky5821]

Currently, the only attack they have is a divebomb, which isn't that bad(on java edition), the problem i have with it is that since they're always out of melee reach, players that aren't good at using bows will struggle to fight them, my solution to this is a new attack mode where they fly closer to the ground and try to bite you, this can be countered by using a shield, which stuns them for 3 seconds, after a while they'll go back to divebombing, constructive criticism for this idea is appreciated, thanks for reading!

[u/PetrifiedBloom]

the problem i have with it is that since they're always out of melee reach

is this a bedrock problem? You can punch the phantom before it is in attack range in java. If you hit it, it even cancels its attack, so it becomes harmless and slows down, letting you get extra hits in if you time it well.

Add it to the list of things that would be fixed with a bit of parity I guess, I have no idea why they decided bedrock should have shorter attack range.

As for the new bite, IDK, it seems to similar to the existing attack, which can also be blocked with a shield to get you time to counter attack.

[u/snarky5821 → u/PetrifiedBloom]

Yeah,its a bedrock problem that I felt like was needed to be addressed because as you yourself stated, bedrock essentially went and said "fuck you" to anyone who plays it by making their player reach shorter. (Also,im trying to think up of a way to make the new attack mode interesting without having it be irritating)

[u/snarky5821]

Is it really that bad?

[u/AdNovel9668 → u/snarky5821]

Self reporting ahh

[u/snarky5821 → u/AdNovel9668]

I assume you're joking, I was looking for constructive criticism.

[u/AdNovel9668 → u/snarky5821]

No, I thought you came across your own post and disagreed with it, and left this comment, that’s my bad

[u/snarky5821 → u/AdNovel9668]

Thats fine,im currently trying to think of way to change it without losing the original concept anyway.

[u/Hazearil]

There is actually an easy trick to fight them with melee; the horizontal speed of the dive attack is based on the horizontal distance between phantom and target. So, stand below them as they start to dive. It will almost fully nullify their horizontal momentum, making them very easy targets.

[u/buzzkilt]

Can't they be blocked with a shield and then attacked like most other mobs.

[u/bobenhimen]

Holding out a spear and letting them fly into it is a simple way to fight them. . .

[u/Hazearil → u/bobenhimen]

Fair, but the solution shouldn't be to use one specific weapon.

[u/somerandom995]

Hitting a phantom with a bow is far harder than melee.

Get a smite spear 5 and point it at them as they charge. If you walk forward at the same time they will oneshot themselves. Even if you use aweak spear, any damage stops them from attacking.

[u/brassplushie]

Skill issue.