Tutorials/Thunderstorm survival

Thunderstorms are a very dangerous weather. As well as a light level low enough to allow monster spawning, there are also lethal lightning strikes, which set fire to the surrounding blocks and can cause monster mutations. They are a good challenge for the well-established player.

Basic dangers
Be prepared to fight monsters. Thunderstorms come without warning, and, due to the low light level, monsters can spawn. If you are not ready, go to your house as quickly as possible. If you are stuck outside accidently, either make an emergency shelter or, (if you are either brave or foolish), tough it out.

Avoid letting your health go below. After this point, you are in severe danger of dying. Also try to keep your hunger bar full, because if it is depleted, it will have debilitating effects. Also don't forget that lightning could strike you by surprise, although this is unlikely.

Fires
Every time lightning strikes, it will start a fire. Usually, the rain will quickly put the fire out, but the fire will remain lit if it is under a ledge or on netherrack, allowing it to spread.

If you see a fire, put it out as quickly as possible. If you do not have a bucket, you can break the fire similar to grass. If it is not put out, it could spread, and, although there is a limit to how far it can go, it is still undesirable, especially if near the player.

Mobs
Lightning strikes can spawn or change mobs in these ways:
 * Any lightning strike can spawn a skeleton trap. (See below).
 * Creepers will become charged if struck by lightning. This increases their blast radius to nearer TNT
 * Pigs will turn into zombie pigmen if struck by lightning. These are a version of zombies normally found only in the nether.
 * Villagers will turn into witches if struck by lightning. These mobs throw potions at the player and drink health potions themselves.

Remember that this will only occur if the mob(s) in question are within 3 blocks of the lightning. However, it is not an inconsiderable threat.

Skeleton traps


Skeleton traps have a 0.75%-6.75% chance of spawning in a lightning strike.

Never get to close to a skeleton trap without knowing what you are doing. The safest way to fight them if with a bow. However, you want to activate a skeleton trap for one of these reasons:
 * The skeletons have enchanted armor and weapons, each with a 8.5% chance of being dropped.
 * If you kill the skeleton, the horse becomes yours, which is handy if you are in a biome that does not have normal horses.

Generally, iron armor and a sword with Smite is recommended. Alternatively, you can drink a potion of Invisibility.

Charged creepers
Charged creepers are more dangerous than normal ones. If possible, use a bow to fight the creeper.

If you want mob heads, you can let the creeper follow you to a mob. When triggering the explosion, make sure that you are wearing good armor and that the mob is close to the creeper. To allow yourself to run away without stopping the explosion, trigger the creeper with flint and steel.

Zombie pigmen and witches
Sometimes, lightning will strike in a pig farm or a village that you have been trading with.

First, kill the monster(s) created by the lightning strike.

To replenish pigs, look for "wild" pigs, and bring them to your farm using a carrot, potato or beetroot.