Snow Golem

Snow Golems are the game's first "utility mobs," which Notch defines as any player-created mob. They are by nature friendly to their creator. Snow Golems are created using Pumpkins and Snow Blocks, and will throw snowballs at enemy mobs. As Snow Golems move, they leave a trail of snow on the ground, except in the Nether, and in the desert. Snow Golems will not leave snow over non-solid blocks such as Redstone dust or torches. If a Snow Golem walks over a mushroom, the mushroom will be destroyed and dropped as an item. Once killed, the Snow Golem will drop approximately 10 snowballs.

Creation
To create a Snow Golem, the player must vertically stack two Snow Blocks on the ground and then place a Pumpkin on top of them. A Jack-O-Lantern can also be used instead of a Pumpkin, though there is no visual difference.

Snow Golems cannot be made on the Crafting Table. They are only created when the pumpkin is placed last, so Pistons cannot create Snow Golems as they cannot push pumpkin blocks. Endermen are also capable of creating Snow Golems by placing the necessary blocks, although this is an extremely rare event because they do not do so purposefully

Farming
Because Snow Golems leave a constant trail of snow as they move, it is possible to farm that snow. However, because of their habit of attacking hostile mobs, it would be wise to ensure the Snow Golem is in an enclosed, safe place before beginning. The simplest method is to create a 1x1 hole that is 2 blocks deep, and to put both the player and the Snow Golem in. Then the player would look straight down and farm the snow that is produced. This creates an unlimited amount of snow in the shortest time possible, because the instant the snow breaks, another one spawns in its place.



Snow is not created on Plains Biomes. Snow never generates in The Nether but it does generate in The End.

Defense
A horde of Snow Golems kept between two lines of fence provides a wall that keeps mobs at a distance. The Snow Golems can still be killed by Skeletons. A 1x1x2 area can be used to store a horde of Snow Golems. In an emergency, the Snow Golems can be released to push back approaching enemies.

Snow Golems may also be placed into Guard Towers, shielding them from damage. To create such a guard tower, make a small 3x3, 1-4 block high tower. Surround the top with fencing and create a Snow Golem in the center.

Snow Golems may also be suspended atop lava pits to lure mobs into them, passively protecting an area. This method can also prevent mobs from hiding around the player's home. This can be done by creating an empty pit which will be filled with lava at another time. Using a block that is not affected by gravity, build a tower 1x1, tall enough that it will be above the surface of the lava, but short enough that the Snow Golems can still attack enemies with snowballs. Then place blocks around the tower so it creates a platform 3 blocks x 3 blocks. Create a nest like figure by making the sides 3 blocks taller, leaving one block in the center. Make a ceiling so the Snow Golem may stand properly. Next, delete one row of blocks from each side so the Snow Golem can see out of the "nest," and provoke hostile mobs to run into the pit. Put the Snow Golem into the nest. Break the lower blocks, so the tower is gone, and then fill the pit with lava. Now the Snow Golem is ready to fight incoming mobs. This method can be adjusted to put multiple Snow Golems in the nest, further provoking mobs. You can use hacks or mods to make a mob spawner spawn snow golems, making a very effective defense system.

Luring
Snow Golems can also be used to lure hostile mobs into traps. This can create a better flow of mob drops for the player to collect, speeding up mob harvesting. To do this, fence Snow Golems in just beyond the entrance of a trap. Mobs will then wander in as they attempt to attack the Snow Golems.

A single Snow Golem kept between four fences under a 3x3 two block high ceiling can be used to distract attacking Endermen. Once the Enderman is within reach of the Snow Golem, the Snow Golem will pelt it with snowballs. The Endermen will stop attacking the player, but will be unable to reach the Snow Golem due to the ceiling. A moat filled with lava or a big pit around the Snow Golem enclosure can be used to kill the Endermen instead of simply distracting them.

Behavior
Snow Golems throw snowballs at hostile mobs, provoking them. This gives them an almost suicidal nature, as the thrown snowballs do not do significant damage, except to Blazes and the Ender Dragon. Snow Golems attract enemies, making them useful for luring enemies into traps. They are also capable of drawing enemies away from the player. In Beta 1.9 Pre-release, Snow Golems sometimes forget to attack monsters. Snow Golems have good pathing skills, and will not jump off cliffs or into lava. They will attempt to move towards hostile mobs, and, as of 1.0.0, will even open and go through doors to reach them. Snow Golems can go through doors and trapdoors. They do not follow the player. As of Snapshot 12w6a Snow Golems have a new AI which they will form a wall to attack mobs as well as a new pathing AI.

History
Snow Golems (previously known as Snowmen) were first mentioned by Notch on September 21, 2011, and were slated to appear in Beta 1.9.

In The Story of Mojang, Notch briefly mentioned adding "snowmen that throw snowballs."

Notch originally planned to call this mob Snowmen. However, very soon after revealing the name, Reddit user Cuttleman stated he would call them Snow Golems, a name Notch approved of and made official.

At some point during the Beta release candidates, Snow Golems would attack players holding wheat.

Bugs

 * Snow Golems do not leave snow trails in Mushroom Biomes, near Bedrock, and on glass.
 * In SMP, Snow Golems do not make sounds when throwing snowballs.
 * Snow Golems never attack Wolves, Slimes, Magma Cubes, Ghasts, or the Ender Dragon.
 * Snow Golems can and will jump over fences given the chance, thus spreading snow everywhere.
 * For unknown reasons, snow golems will sometimes completely ignore aggressive mobs for several seconds, even if the mobs are in range and sight.
 * In 12w06a snapshot, Snow Golems do not attack provoked endermen.

Trivia

 * Four Snow Golems throw snowballs quickly enough to continuously push a Zombie back.
 * Snow Golems are not affected by fall damage.
 * Snow Golems wear their Pumpkin as a hat. Their actual Snowman-type head is hidden beneath it.
 * If the player occupies the same space as a Snow Golem, the Snow Golem's Pumpkin helmet will be seen through, revealing their face.
 * If a Snow Golem is lit on fire, it will speed up and move toward a water source.
 * Snow Golems will attack Zombie Pigmen regardless of whether or not they attacked the player, thus making the whole pack attack them.
 * The throwing sound is actually the Bow firing sound, even though Snowballs have their own throwing sound.
 * Snow Golems do not leave snow trails in the Nether, but do leave them in The End.
 * If a Snow Golem is trapped somewhere and there is an exit, the Snow Golem will try to escape.
 * Snow Golems can only be crafted by placing a pumpkin on top of two snow blocks; placing the pumpkin then snow underneath will produce no Snow Golem.
 * If trapped underwater, Snow Golems can drown.
 * Snow Golems do not create ice when moving onto a water block.
 * Snow Golems distract hostile mobs completely, allowing the player to walk up and easily kill them.
 * If the player attacks the Snow Golem, the Snow Golem drops 2-12 snowballs.
 * Snow Golems can not be made by pistons, because the code for generating Snow Golems are found in the Pumpkins "OnBlockPlace" (When placed by a player) event.
 * Using a Texture Pack with the pumpkin Texture invisible the SnowMan face can be seen.
 * In Snapshot 12w06a, Snow Golems take damage on contact with rain and water.