How to Kill an Elder Guardian in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: An elder guardian has 80 HP (40 hearts), and each ocean monument has three. Break line of sight with solid blocks during its 3-second laser charge. Expect Mining Fatigue III within 50 blocks. Kill it yourself to get a wet sponge; it also has a 20% chance to drop a tide armor trim.

What you need

Strong armor and weapon
Water breathing or a way to drain the room
Looting enchantment (optional)

Step by step

Find an ocean monument. Three elder guardians generate with each one and do not respawn.
Expect Mining Fatigue III. In Java Edition, an elder guardian checks once per minute for Survival players within 50 blocks. The effect lasts 5 minutes and reaches through blocks. In Bedrock Edition, players without the effect are afflicted immediately when in range.
Fight it in a place you control. It has 80 HP (40 hearts).
Watch its laser: it takes 3 seconds to charge and does no damage while charging. Break its line of sight with solid blocks before it fires. Do not rely on moving sideways in open water to dodge the beam.
Kill it yourself and collect the drops: 1 wet sponge, 0-2 prismarine shards, 0-1 prismarine crystals (33.33% chance) and a tide armor trim (20% chance). These shard and crystal counts are without Looting; Looting can increase their maximum counts, but not the sponge count or trim chance.
Dry the wet sponge in a furnace, or place it in the Nether to dry it instantly. Then use it to soak up water.
Kill all three elder guardians if you want every drop from the monument. They do not respawn.

Java vs Bedrock

In Java Edition, elder guardians check for players to afflict with Mining Fatigue once per minute; in Bedrock Edition, players without the effect are afflicted immediately in range. A player kill gives a wet sponge in both editions. A tamed wolf kill also qualifies in Java Edition, but not in Bedrock Edition.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note above for differences.

Frequently asked questions

How many elder guardians are in a monument?

Three. They are generated with the monument and do not respawn.

How much health does an elder guardian have?

80 HP (40 hearts).

What do elder guardians drop?

When you kill one yourself, it drops 1 wet sponge. Without Looting it can also drop 0-2 prismarine shards, 0-1 prismarine crystals and a tide armor trim at a 20% chance.

How far does Mining Fatigue reach?

In Java Edition, up to 50 blocks, once per minute. It gives Mining Fatigue III for 5 minutes and hits through blocks.

Can the laser be dodged?

Do not try to dodge it by strafing in open water. Break line of sight with solid blocks during its 3-second charge so the attack stops before it deals damage.