End City

Lore & Background

The cities are not merely homes but fortresses designed to repel intruders. The Shulkers reside within the upper levels and on the rooftops, lying in wait for any who dare approach. Their unique ability to fire homing projectiles that inflict Slowness and teleportation makes them a formidable defense mechanism. It is said that these cities hold the secrets of flight, housing the Elytra, a rare membrane wing that allows travelers to glide across the vast voids between dimensions.

In Their Own Story

The wind does not blow in the End, yet the silence feels heavy, pressing against the explorer's chest. Standing atop a precarious bridge of end stone, I gaze up at the jagged silhouette of an End City piercing the purple sky. The blocks shimmer with an unnatural hue, and from behind the stained glass windows, I see them—the Shulkers, their shells clicking softly as they rotate to face me. One opens its maw, a beam of light locking onto my position before vanishing in a flash of teleportation. I grip my diamond sword, knowing that beyond these walls lies not just loot, but the chance to finally take flight.

Reader's Guide

End Cities generate randomly on the outer islands of the End dimension once the Ender Dragon has been defeated and the exit portal is activated. They do not appear near the central island; players must travel outward using boats or by throwing Ender Pearls until they spot these towering structures. These cities are composed of tall towers connected by bridges, featuring a distinct architectural style using end stone bricks, purpur pillars, and stained glass panes. The most critical feature to watch for is the presence of Shulkers on rooftops and inside rooms, as they will attack any player who enters their line of sight. Loot chests are found scattered throughout the city, often containing iron ingots, gold ingots, enchanted books, and ender pearls. However, the most sought-after item is the Elytra, which spawns in a specific chest located at the very top of the main tower, usually guarded by multiple Shulkers. Shulker shells are dropped when these mobs are defeated and can be crafted into shulkers boxes for storage or used to craft an elytra. Players should prioritize building vertical cover to avoid projectiles and use swords or bows with high knockback to defeat the Shulkers safely.

Did You Know?

• The Elytra, the only item allowing players to glide, is exclusively found in End City chests.
• Shulkers inside an End City will not attack unless the player looks directly at them or enters their detection range.
• These structures are the only place in the game where Shulker shells can be obtained without trading with Piglins.
• End Cities often generate adjacent to large floating islands made of end stone and chorus plants.