[MC-1490] Zombie / Villager Zombie can't shoot bows. Created: 31/Oct/12  Updated: 11/Jun/17  Resolved: 08/Nov/12

Status: Closed
Project: Minecraft: Java Edition
Component/s: None
Affects Version/s: Minecraft 1.4.2
Fix Version/s: None

Type: Bug
Reporter: Rob Klein Ikink Assignee: Unassigned
Resolution: Works As Intended Votes: 0
Labels: bow, zombie, zombie_villager
Environment:

Windows XP Home Edition - Java 7 Update 5 build 1.7.0_05-b05


Issue Links:
Duplicate
is duplicated by MC-15970 Zombies do not shoot arrows when they... Resolved
is duplicated by MC-1659 Zombies doesn't shoot with Bows Resolved
is duplicated by MC-2863 When a zombie picks up a bow he holds... Resolved
Confirmation Status: Unconfirmed

 Description   

When a zombie / villager zombie is given a bow, it will not shoot the bow but just walk towards the player and hit him with it, like the zombie was holding a sword or just attacking without any items equiped. I don't know if this is intended (Maybe zombie's are supposed to be so stupid they don't know how to fire a bow) but it's annoying if you have to use a skeleton instead. It's the same with other ranged weapons like snowballs.



 Comments   
Comment by phillips1012 [ 31/Oct/12 ]

When you put it into perspective, it makes sense.

What would you do if you were a zombie with 1/4th of the IQ of a archer?

Comment by Cloudy (Aaron Mills) [ 31/Oct/12 ]

The skeleton thing is already reported under another issue.

Comment by Rob Klein Ikink [ 31/Oct/12 ]

Maybe the zombie thing isnt a bug.
The skeleton bug deffinately is. A sword shouldnt be uused to shoot arrows out of.

Comment by Cloudy (Aaron Mills) [ 31/Oct/12 ]

Works as intended - they aren't supposed to shoot bows. Zombies aren't known for their hand eye coordination.

Comment by Rob Klein Ikink [ 31/Oct/12 ]

btw about the mobs placing blocks:

I don't want that either. if all mobs could place blocks (lets call it "Endermanisation") your world would be completely destroyed in no time if you had the gamerule MobGriefing on. However i think it's different with tools. Giving zombies the ability to use a bow would never destroy your world (Unless you've got the Flame Enchantment and the arrow hits a big pile of TNT, but what are the chances of that happening) in any different way than a skeleton could. It would also be very usefull if they could throw other projectiles like eggs, snowballs and splash potions (Though witches have been added they only throw some specific potions) so you can make custom maps more challenging. (Diamond armor zombie with Punch XVII bow XD) I don't think the zombies should be able to destroy blocks with their tools (Also part of Endermanisation) but they should be able to use them in battle. I also noticed it works the other way around too. If you give a skeleton a sword (Or something else) it will still shoot arrows out of it. It's the exact same bug.

Comment by Rob Klein Ikink [ 31/Oct/12 ]

I used a chest and a MCEdit filter to add the arrows. So it is possible.

Comment by Daedalus Young [ 31/Oct/12 ]

They only pick up 1 item, don't they?

Anyway, I don't think using items is part of the zombie AI, so this probably works as intended.

Comment by Rob Klein Ikink [ 31/Oct/12 ]

I added arrows too. They still didnt shoot

Comment by Daedalus Young [ 31/Oct/12 ]

Zombies can pick up any item, that does not mean they use it. If they pick up a cobblestone block, you don't expect them to place it either.
Or you could say, they have the bow, but are out of arrows.

Comment by Sid Ben [ 31/Oct/12 ]

My useless comment:
One could argue that they only grabed the bow, not the arrows...

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