Minecraft's world just got a whole lot wiser and more whimsical with the release of the Owls Add-On, a free content pack developed by the talented team at Noxcrew. Launched just a few days ago, this add-on brings nine unique owl breeds into your survival worlds, transforming these nocturnal birds into versatile companions that can fight, craft, heal, and even help you soar through the skies. Whether you're a seasoned builder looking for new allies or a newbie eager to expand your mob roster, the Owls Add-On offers endless fun without costing a single Minecoin. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything from installation to advanced tactics, so you can make the most of your feathered friends.
How to Get and Install the Owls Add-On
Getting started is as easy as a hoot in the night. The add-on is exclusively available for Minecraft Bedrock Edition and can be claimed directly from the in-game Marketplace.
- Launch Minecraft Bedrock Edition on your device (mobile, console, or PC).
- Navigate to the Marketplace: From the main menu, select the Marketplace tab and search for "Owls Add-On" or use this direct link to jump right in.
- Claim and Download: Log in with your Microsoft account to bind the pack to your profile, then hit the "Free" button to acquire it. The download should start automatically.
- Activate in Your World: Create a new world or edit an existing one by clicking the pencil icon. Under "Resource Packs," add the Owls Add-On and ensure it's at the top of the list for proper functionality. For best results, test it in a fresh world to avoid conflicts with other packs.
Once loaded, you'll spawn with a special Owl Guide Spawn Egg in your inventory. Right-click (or tap) it to summon the Owl Guide—an interactive NPC who serves as your in-game tutor. She'll walk you through basics like taming and breeding, and you can even trade with her for raw rabbits or complete quests for experience and rare items. Keep her egg handy; you can store and resummon her anytime.
Finding and Taming Owls in the Wild
The Owls Add-On spices up biome exploration by introducing owls that spawn naturally in specific environments. Only three base breeds roam the wild, but breeding unlocks the rest.
- Spawn Locations: Head to warm biomes (like deserts or savannas) for Scops Owls, cold biomes (taiga or snowy tundras) for Snowy Owls, and temperate biomes (plains or forests) for Barn Owls. Keep an eye out at night—these birds are nocturnal!
- Taming Process: Spot a wild owl? Approach with Raw Rabbit in hand (dropped by rabbits or traded from the Owl Guide). Right-click to feed it—after a few successful feeds, hearts will appear, and the owl is yours. Tamed owls follow you like wolves but can be commanded to sit or follow with a simple right-click. They're loyal companions ready for gear and glory.
Pro Tip: Stock up on raw rabbits early. The Owl Guide's trades make this a breeze, and they're essential for everything from taming to breeding.
Breeding Owls: Unlocking Rarer Breeds
Why stop at three when you can collect them all? Breeding is the key to the add-on's progression system, letting you mix and match for rarer owls.
- Basic Breeding: Feed two tamed owls of the same breed Raw Rabbit to enter love mode. A baby owl hatches soon after, growing into an adult over time.
- Rarity Ladder: Breeding same-rarity owls increases the chances of rarer offspring. Start with common wild breeds (Scops, Barn, Snowy) to get mid-tier ones like Eagle, Tawny, or Spectacled. Keep going to unlock epics like Tiger, Angel, or Azure, and top it off with the legendary Elder Owl—the ultimate flying mount.
- Feather Drops: Each breeding session yields feathers based on the parents' rarity:
- Owl Feather (common): From Scops, Barn, or Snowy.
- Colourful Feather (uncommon): From Eagle, Tawny, or Spectacled.
- Mythic Feather (rare): From Tiger, Angel, or Azure.
These feathers aren't just souvenirs—they're crafting ingredients for owl gear. The full list of nine breeds ensures variety: commons are easy scouts, rares pack a punch in combat, and the Elder Owl is your ticket to the skies.
Equipping Owls: Gear Up for Adventure
What good is a companion without customization? The Owls Add-On shines here, with craftable equipment that turns owls into multi-tool marvels. Interact with a tamed owl while holding gear to equip it (shift-interact to remove).
Craft the Owl Guide Book first (1 Book + 1 Feather) to unlock recipes—place it on the ground and right-click to flip pages like a magical textbook.
Here's a breakdown of key equipment and their functions:
| Equipment | Ingredients | Function | Cooldown/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing Hat | 4 Wool + 1 Owl Feather | Give an empty Glass Bottle; owl brews a random potion in 5 minutes. | Great for alchemists—potions like Swiftness or Healing. |
| Reading Glasses | 2 Glass + 1 Colourful Feather | Feed a Book; produces a random enchanted book in 5 minutes. | Perfect for enchanting on the go. |
| Poisoner's Hood | 3 Rabbit Hide + 1 Owl Feather | Provide Flint; crafts a random tipped arrow (e.g., Poison) in 5 minutes. | Boosts archery without a fletching table. |
| Warding Amulet | 4 Gold Ingots + 1 Mythic Feather | Emits Regeneration or Resistance auras every few seconds to heal nearby allies. | Essential for group fights—keeps your squad alive. |
| Transmutation Goggles | 2 Telescopes + 1 Colourful Feather | Bottle XP levels or convert ingots/ores to XP orbs with an empty Glass Bottle. | XP farming made easy; no more grindy mob farms. |
| Battle Helmet | 5 Copper Ingots + 1 Mythic Feather | Fires magic arrows at nearby enemies or when damaged. | Turns your owl into a feisty guardian. |
These items integrate seamlessly with vanilla Minecraft, using familiar resources while adding fresh utility. Equip multiple pieces on one owl for combo effects—like a brewing battler!
Soaring with the Elder Owl: Flight Without Elytra
The crown jewel? The Elder Owl, breedable only from top-tier pairs. Once tamed, craft the Witch Staff (2 Sticks + 1 each of Owl, Colourful, and Mythic Feathers) and equip it to your Elder Owl.
- Flight Mechanics: Mount by right-clicking the owl with the staff. Look up to ascend, down to descend—it's unrestricted flight, no potion limits or elytra needed. Punch to dismount safely.
- Why It's Awesome: Explore vast builds, scout biomes from above, or evade creepers with ease. It's like having a personal broomstick, Harry Potter-style.
Just remember: Flight drains no hunger, but keep your owl safe—losing an Elder is a tragedy after all that breeding!
Tips and Tricks for Owl Mastery
- Quest with the Guide: The Owl Guide's quests reward XP and items—complete them for a head start.
- Biome Hopping: Use owls to scout; their night vision (implied by lore) pairs well with torches for safe travels.
- Multi-Owl Armies: Breed a flock and gear them variably—one brews, one fights, one heals. It's like building a mini guild.
- Compatibility: Works in survival, but test in creative for recipe tweaks. Avoid overloading worlds with too many packs.
- Common Pitfalls: Don't forget raw rabbits—run out, and your owls go hungry. Also, breeding rarer owls takes patience; save those mythic feathers!