Omnious Banner

What is an Ominous Banner?

The Ominous Banner, formerly known as the Illager Banner, is a unique banner in Minecraft that signifies the presence of raiders. Unlike other banners, it cannot be crafted by players but is instead obtained by defeating a raid captain. This banner is often associated with hostile Illager groups and signals the start of a raid when carried by a player.

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Where Can an Ominous Banner Be Found?

Ominous Banners are exclusively found on raid captains, which are special Illagers that spawn in patrols or at pillager outposts. When a player kills a raid captain, the banner drops as an item. If the player picks up the banner, they will receive the “Bad Omen” status effect. Entering a village with this effect will trigger a raid. More details about obtaining banners from Illagers can be found in the Pillager Outpost article.

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What Can Players Do with an Ominous Banner?

While the Ominous Banner can be placed like any other banner for decoration, it carries a unique gameplay function. If a player carries it while entering a village, they will initiate a raid, summoning waves of hostile Illagers. Many players collect these banners as trophies, marking their victories over raid captains. The Ominous Banner cannot be used in a Loom to create designs, making it different from traditional banners. More details about raids and their mechanics can be found in the Raid article.

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The History of the Ominous Banner in Minecraft

The Ominous Banner was introduced in Minecraft version 1.14 as part of the Village & Pillage update. Originally named the Illager Banner, it was later renamed to better reflect its role in raids. This update brought the concept of raids, adding a new challenge for players who engage with hostile Illagers.

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Interesting Fact or Real-Life Connection

In history, banners have often been used to signal impending attacks or invasions. The Ominous Banner in Minecraft follows this tradition by symbolizing the threat of an Illager raid. Players who display this banner showcase their victories, much like warriors who once collected banners from defeated enemies.

For further exploration of banners and related mechanics, visit the Rusty Ingot knowledge base to learn more about Raids, Pillager Outposts, and Illagers.