Recipe

Potion of Weakness

A clear, no-drama Minecraft brewing guide for regular, splash, and lingering Potions of Weakness.

By Matt Campbell

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4.8

A single purple Potion of Weakness bottle sitting on a wooden kitchen-style counter next to a Minecraft brewing stand, warm indoor lighting

Potion of Weakness is one of those Minecraft recipes that feels like a prank the first time you learn it. You want something useful, and the game hands you a potion that makes you hit like a wet noodle.

But here is the twist: this is the key ingredient for curing zombie villagers. And once you have done that a couple times, brewing Weakness goes from “why would I make this” to “I should always keep a couple on hand.”

Below is the straight-up, reliable method for brewing a Potion of Weakness, plus how to turn it into a splash or lingering version, how long it lasts (with a quick edition note), and what to do when your brewing stand refuses to cooperate.

Minecraft brewing stand on a tabletop with water bottles, blaze powder, and a fermented spider eye laid out nearby, bright cozy lighting

Why It Works

It is quick and forgiving: once you have a fermented spider eye, you can brew Weakness fast with basic brewing gear.
It is practical: you need a Splash Potion of Weakness to cure a zombie villager, so this potion has real job security.
It scales: brew 1 to 3 bottles at a time, then convert to splash or lingering without changing the core steps.
It is easy to refresh: you can extend duration with redstone once the base potion is done.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

In your inventory or chests: Potions do not spoil in Minecraft, so store them anywhere you like. I keep mine in a labeled chest near my brewing stand so I am not sprinting around mid-zombie-villager rescue.

Quick-access tip: If you are planning to cure villagers, store Splash Potion of Weakness and Golden Apples together in the same chest. When things go sideways, speed matters.

Best practice: Carry splash versions when you need to apply the effect to another mob. Drinkable versions are mainly for PvP or niche situations, like lowering melee damage when you know you can avoid getting hit back.

Common Questions

Do you need nether wart for a Potion of Weakness?

No. Potion of Weakness is one of the few potions you can make without nether wart. You brew it by adding a Fermented Spider Eye to a Water Bottle in a brewing stand.

How long does Potion of Weakness last?

In many modern versions, the base Potion of Weakness lasts about 1:30. Add Redstone Dust after brewing to extend it to about 4:00. Note: exact durations can vary a bit by edition (Java vs Bedrock) and version.

How long does a Lingering Potion of Weakness last?

Lingering potions create an area effect cloud, and their effect duration is shorter than drinkable or splash versions. Think of lingering as “coverage” instead of “runtime,” and expect the exact timing to vary by edition and version.

Can you make Potion of Weakness II?

No. Weakness does not have a Level II (glowstone) upgrade. Your upgrade path is duration (redstone), or delivery method (gunpowder for splash, dragon’s breath for lingering).

How do you cure a zombie villager with it?

Throw a Splash Potion of Weakness so the zombie villager is within the splash radius, then feed it a Golden Apple (regular works, enchanted also works). It will begin shaking and convert back into a villager after a few minutes. Keep it safe while it cures.

Why is my potion not turning into Weakness?

Make sure the bottom slots have Water Bottles. Weakness is not made from an Awkward Potion, and you cannot “corrupt” an Awkward Potion into Weakness with a fermented spider eye.
Confirm your ingredient is Fermented Spider Eye, not a regular spider eye.
Check the brewing stand has Blaze Powder fuel.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Brewing stand
Blaze powder (fuel)
Glass bottles (up to 3)
Water source block or cauldron to fill bottles
Optional: gunpowder (for splash)
Optional: dragon’s breath (for lingering)
Optional: redstone dust (for longer duration)

The first time I brewed Potion of Weakness, I felt personally attacked. Like, I just fought my way into the Nether for blaze rods and you are telling me the best use of my brewing stand is making myself worse at fighting?

Then I tried curing my first zombie villager. I landed the splash, fed the golden apple, and stood guard like a nervous line cook watching a sauce reduce. When that villager finally popped back, it clicked. Weakness is not a combat potion. It is a “we are rebuilding society” potion. And I love that energy.