Ender Pearl

Lore & Background

In the world of Minecraft, Ender Pearls are obtained primarily by killing Endermen, the tall, dark creatures that roam the Overworld at night. Each Enderman has a chance to drop 0 or 1 Ender Pearl upon death, with Looting increasing the maximum to 4, making each kill a gamble for this valuable resource. The pearl is also obtainable through bartering with Piglins in the Nether, using gold ingots. This method became especially important in version 1.16.1, where the Ender Pearl rate when bartering with Piglins increased from ~2.18% to ~4.73% per barter, making it a preferred strategy for speedrunners. The pearl's connection to the End dimension is clear: it is used to craft Eyes of Ender, which are thrown to locate Strongholds and ultimately activate the End Portal. Speedrunners rely on Ender Pearls not only for crafting but also for teleportation across the Nether, where one block traveled equals eight blocks in the Overworld. This makes the pearl a key item for reducing travel time during a run. Despite its power, the pearl inflicts fall damage upon use, a cost that players must manage carefully. In speedrunning, this risk is often mitigated by using Feather Falling enchantments or careful positioning, as Fire Resistance potions do not prevent the fall damage from Ender Pearl teleportation.

In Their Own Story

The player stood at the edge of a Nether lava lake, the heat shimmering in waves. They had just raided a Bastion, mining gold blocks to trade with Piglins. A Piglin approached, and the player tossed a gold ingot. The Piglin examined it, then tossed back a handful of items: a few pieces of string, some obsidian, and a single Ender Pearl. The player caught it, feeling the faint pulse of void energy within. Later, in the Overworld, they combined the pearl with Blaze Powder to craft an Eye of Ender. They threw it, watching it arc into the sky and hover for a moment before falling. They threw it again, noting the angle. Using the debug menu, they triangulated the coordinates of the Stronghold. The pearl had guided them true. In the End, the player used the pearl to teleport across the void, dodging the Ender Dragon's breath. They threw it toward an obsidian pillar, vanishing and reappearing at the top, ready to place a bed for the final explosion.

Reader's Guide

To obtain Ender Pearls, players can kill Endermen in the Overworld or barter with Piglins in the Nether using gold ingots. In speedrunning, the most efficient method is to raid a Bastion for gold blocks, then trade with Piglins for a chance at Ender Pearls, along with other valuable items like Fire Resistance potions, obsidian, and string. This strategy is common in the 1.16-1.19 RSG category, where the higher Ender Pearl rate from bartering makes it a reliable source. Once obtained, Ender Pearls serve two primary purposes. First, they can be thrown to teleport the player to the point of impact, which is useful for crossing gaps or escaping danger. However, teleportation inflicts damage, so players should have food or potions ready to heal. Second, Ender Pearls are combined with Blaze Powder (crafted from Blaze Rods) to create Eyes of Ender, which are used to locate Strongholds and activate the End Portal. In the Nether, Ender Pearls are especially valuable for fast travel. Since one block in the Nether equals eight blocks in the Overworld, teleporting across Nether terrain can save significant time. Players often use pearls to reach a Bastion or Fortress quickly, then use them again to return to the Overworld after obtaining necessary resources.

Did You Know?

• In version 1.16.1, the Ender Pearl rate when bartering with Piglins increased from ~2.18% to ~4.73% per barter, making it the standard version for speedrunning in the 1.16-1.19 RSG category.
• Ender Pearls can be used for faster Nether travel, as one block in the Nether equals eight blocks in the Overworld.
• The Ender Pearl is required to craft Eyes of Ender, which are used to locate Strongholds and activate the End Portal.
• Teleporting with an Ender Pearl inflicts fall damage on the player, a cost that cannot be mitigated with Fire Resistance potions.
• Endermen have a chance to drop 0 or 1 Ender Pearl upon death, with Looting increasing the maximum to 4, so each kill is not a guaranteed single pearl.