Related effects and lists
- All Minecraft effect IDs — the full searchable list.
- Slowness — another harmful effect.
- Mining Fatigue — another harmful effect.
- Nausea — another harmful effect.
- Minecraft enchantment IDs — enchant your gear instead.
Instant Damage Effect ID (minecraft:instant_damage)
Instant Damage is a harmful (negative) status effect in Minecraft Java Edition 1.21.
Namespaced effect ID
minecraft:instant_damage
Instant Damage Effect Facts
CategoryHarmful
Legacy ID (1.12.2)7
/effect Command for Instant Damage
Give Instant Damage II for 60 seconds (Java Edition 1.13+; duration in seconds, then amplifier where 0 = level I):
/effect give @p minecraft:instant_damage 60 1
Remove the effect from the nearest player:
/effect clear @p minecraft:instant_damage
About the Instant Damage Effect
Instant Damage deals 6 damage (3 hearts) per level immediately, ignoring armor in most cases, which makes harming potions and arrows a burst-damage staple.
How to Get Instant Damage in Survival
Corrupt a Potion of Healing or Poison with a fermented spider eye to get the Potion of Harming, then upgrade to Harming II with glowstone. Splash and lingering versions plus tipped arrows spread the damage around fights.
Using Instant Damage Well
Harming II arrows from a Power V bow are one of the highest single-shot damage combos available, and splash Harming is standard PvP gear. The undead reversal applies: Instant Damage heals zombies and skeletons, so never throw it at them.
Instant Damage Effect FAQ
What is the effect ID for Instant Damage?
The effect ID for Instant Damage is minecraft:instant_damage. Java Edition 1.13+ /effect commands use this namespaced form. On Java 1.12.2 and earlier the numerical ID was 7.
How do I give myself the Instant Damage effect?
Run /effect give @p minecraft:instant_damage 60 1 to get Instant Damage II for 60 seconds. The first number is the duration in seconds; the second is the amplifier (0 = level I, 1 = level II). Remove it with /effect clear @p minecraft:instant_damage.
Is Instant Damage a positive or negative effect?
Instant Damage is a harmful (negative) status effect in Minecraft Java Edition, based on its registry category (harmful).
How do you make a Potion of Harming?
Add a fermented spider eye to a Potion of Healing or a Potion of Poison at a brewing stand. Glowstone upgrades it to Harming II, and gunpowder makes it splash for throwing.
Does Harming heal undead mobs?
Yes. Instant Damage restores health to undead mobs like zombies, skeletons, and the Wither instead of hurting them. Against undead, use healing potions as your damage source instead.