Meet Minecraft’s Copper Golem: The Ultimate New Mob You’ll Love

The Copper Golem: A Fan-Favourite That Didn’t Make It

You know, I still get a little sad thinking about the Copper Golem. I mean, don’t get me wrong – the Allay is pretty cool and all – but there was something special about that little copper buddy that just… well, it hit different, you know?

I remember watching the 2021 Mob Vote announcement, and honestly? The moment they showed that adorable copper companion with its quirky button-pressing antics, I was sold. The whole community seemed to fall in love with it instantly. Even though it didn’t win (still a bit salty about that, if I’m being honest), the Copper Golem has this weird staying power that keeps popping up in conversations, fan art, and mods.

Actually, let me tell you everything I know about this endearing little guy and why, three years later, we’re still talking about what could have been.

What Is the Copper Golem?

So here’s the thing – the Copper Golem was one of three mob candidates back in 2021, competing against the Allay and the Glare. And while it absolutely captured my heart (and apparently thousands of other players’ hearts too), it ultimately lost to the Allay, which made it into the game with the 1.19 Wild Update.

I’ve got to admit, it stings a little that this charming concept is basically stuck in limbo right now. Mojang hasn’t given us any official word about whether they’ll ever revisit it, so for now, it exists only in our collective imagination and some pretty impressive community mods.

The Copper Golem Concept

Okay, so based on what Mojang showed us back in 2021, this little guy would’ve been something you could craft yourself – kind of like how you make Iron Golems, but way more accessible. Picture this: you’d stack up some copper blocks and plop a carved pumpkin on top, and boom – instant copper companion.

But here’s where it gets interesting (and honestly, kind of genius). Unlike the Iron Golem, which is basically your personal bodyguard, the Copper Golem was designed to be this smaller, utility-focused buddy that would randomly press copper buttons. I know that might sound simple, but think about the redstone possibilities!

And get this – it would gradually oxidise over time, just like regular copper blocks. So if you didn’t maintain it with an axe, your little helper would slowly turn into this beautiful green statue. There’s something both melancholy and poetic about that, don’t you think?

How to Craft Your Copper Golem

The crafting method would’ve been refreshingly straightforward:

• Block of Copper: You’d need a copper block (which takes 9 copper ingots – not too bad once you get mining)
• Carved Pumpkin: Just grab some shears and go to town on a regular pumpkin

That’s it! Two blocks, and you’ve got yourself a companion. I love how accessible this would’ve been compared to the Iron Golem’s hefty iron requirements.

Copper’s Current Role in Minecraft

Now, before we dive deeper into why I’m still mourning this mob, let me talk about copper for a sec. When they added it in the 1.17 Caves & Cliffs update, I’ll be honest – I wasn’t immediately impressed. I mean, we can’t even make tools or armour with it (though trust me, I’ve tried in creative mode just to see what would happen).

But actually, copper has grown on me. The oxidation mechanic is genuinely cool – watching those blocks slowly shift from that bright orange to that weathered green patina feels almost… alive? Plus, you can use honeycomb to freeze the oxidation at whatever stage you like, which is perfect for those of us who are a bit obsessive about our builds looking just right.

And okay, the spyglass and lightning rod recipes do give copper some practical uses beyond just looking pretty. But still… imagine if we had those little copper buddies running around, too.

Why Players Still Champion the Copper Golem

You know what’s interesting? Even after all this time, I keep seeing people bring up the Copper Golem in forums and Discord servers. And I think I know why:

1. The randomisation thing was genuinely unique. I mean, think about it – we’ve got plenty of mobs that fight, plenty that help with farming, but a mob that could provide true randomness for redstone contraptions? That’s something we’ve never had before or since.
2. It would’ve been gorgeous. I’m a sucker for builds that change over time, and the idea of having these little helpers that would slowly become decorative statues… chef’s kiss. That’s the kind of dynamic element that makes Minecraft builds feel alive.
3. Copper needed this. Don’t get me wrong, I use copper blocks in my builds all the time now, but back in 2021, it felt like copper was just… there. The Copper Golem would’ve given those blocks a real purpose beyond aesthetics.
4. It represented something we don’t see enough of. Most new mobs are either hostile or focused on farming/combat. The Copper Golem was different – it was about utility, creativity, and just… companionship, I guess?
5. The modding community went wild with it. I’ve tried a few Copper Golem mods, and let me tell you, seeing that concept brought to life just reinforces how much potential it had.

Actually, let me rephrase that last point – the fact that modders immediately jumped on this concept tells you everything you need to know about how much the community wanted it.

Look, I’m not saying the Allay was a bad choice. It’s useful, it’s cute in its own way, and it’s definitely helped with item sorting. But sometimes I wonder what the game would feel like with those little copper companions wandering around, randomly pressing buttons and slowly turning into beautiful statues.

Maybe someday, Mojang will surprise us. A player can dream, right?