Forum: gaming.stackexchange.com
Tags: <minecraft-java-edition>
Title: How do I kill zombies in Minecraft and not get hurt?
Question: Is there a smart way of disposing zombies and not losing like 2-3-4-5 hearts in the process? No matter how far you are, they always seem to reach further than you can which sucks... :S zombies should be short range not snipers..  Ok, so is there a specific tactic that works? A specific timing to hit them and not get hit? (except bow and arrow..)  thank you

Answers:
sents: text: Hitting them while backing up is pretty effective.
text: Just hold your left mouse button button down with your chrosshairs pointed at the mob.
text: When it turns red (indicating it took damage), immediately back up.
text: Repeat until the zombie is dead.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/3107/Shaun
score: 9
sents: text: Another method is to use a lighter, and ignite the ground while running backwards.
text: It is less risky (provided you're outside setting fire to grass, not inside your wooden house!).
text: The monsters run into the fire and ignite.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/5673/NibblyPig
score: 9
sents: text: Build a trap!
text: That way you don't even have to waste materials in producing swords, etc.
text: The simplest is to dig a pit 3-4 blocks deep and at least 2x2 wide, and plant some cacti in it.
text: Put the pit between you and the zombie and watch it fall inside and eventually die.
text: Better traps, such as most water traps, can actually kill the zombie and deliver the dropped goods outside to you.
text: There are many videos on youtube that demonstrate how to build one, (such as this one: )
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/3917/l I
score: 2
sents: text: Armour!
text: Armour really helps prevent damage.
text: A full undamaged set of armour will prevent all damage to your health for the next hit.
text: Also, a three high wall with a hole in in helps keep them away while you hit them.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/4564/Theo Belaire
score: 1
sents: text: Mob pathfinding is really dumb, and you can use this to your advantage.
text: Partially hide yourself behind a corner, a tree, etc.
text: The zombie will get stopped by the blocks, and you can hit him repeatedly until he dies.
text: Also - unlike spiders, which jump, or skeletons, which shoot, zombies just walk forward.
text: If you time it right, you can strike them with your sword without getting hit at all.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/6547/Luke
score: 1
sents: text: Build a one block wide passage so one zombies could go in at a time.
text: As a bonus, build a really good trap that doesn't involve lava, so the zombies could just walk right into it and end up committing suicide because they only have one target, you.
text: For example, drown them!
text: =)
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/39224/danilka1
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Hitting them or igniting the ground while running backwards is effective. Armour prevents damage and build a one block passage so zombies go in one at a time.
They main solution is to hit them while moving backwards. This is also a component in other solutions too, like using a lighter to light a fire on the ground, building a trap or making armour, which helps prevent damage. You could also build a passage where only one zombie fits at a time, which works due to the bad pathfinding.