Will an allay follow you in Minecraft?

The Allay is an adorable, blue ghost-like creature with wings that loves music and will bring you more of any item given to it. The Allay is a friendly mob added in the Minecraft 1.19 Wild update after winning the Minecraft Live mob fan-vote.

What does the Allay do?

The Allay can be a very helpful and extremely cute mob that players can send out to gather items. If any item is given to an Allay, it will go search for a matching item to bring back. An Allay will follow you up to 64 blocks after given an item and will attempt to search for the same item up to 32 blocks away from you. If a Note Block is played near an Allay, it will spend about 30 seconds seeking items around the Note Block and returning them to the block.

Related: All New Biomes in Minecraft The Wild Update (1.19)

Allays have 20 HP, but are not targeted by most hostile mobs and cannot be hurt by their owner. If Allays are hurt, they will start moving rapidly in different directions for a short duration.

Where to find the Allay

gamerule mobGriefing if set to false, but the player can still give the allay items with the use key.

If the allay hears a note block play within 16 blocks of its location, it tries to path find to the note block and then spends 30 seconds around that particular note block, seeking items around it and returning them to it instead of its player. After 30 seconds, the allay returns to targeting its player. A vibration particle emanates from the note block and reaches the allay to indicate the allay has locked on to the note block. Because the allay and the note block interact via a vibration particle, placing wool between the note block and the allay can prevent this interaction.

The allay can pick up items within a radius of about 1.3 blocks from itself and drop items up to 3 blocks away from its target (either the player or a note block).

When an allay hears a jukebox playing, it performs a dance animation. If the jukebox stops playing, or if the allay gets too far away from the jukebox, it stops dancing.

The allay cannot enter water, although it attempts to gather items that are under water.

Allays cannot be harmed by their owners. If they are harmed by another source, they go into a panic state and start moving wildly in random directions. When killed, allays drop the items they were holding. If an allay dies while holding a totem of undying, it instead returns to full health and the totem is destroyed, as with any mob holding a totem of undying. Allays naturally regenerate 2

per second if damaged.

In Java Edition, using a lead or a named name tag performs the item's normal function, instead of giving it to the allay.

Allay duplication

If the allay is given an amethyst shard while dancing, it plays a small amethyst sound, makes a heart, and duplicates into another allay. After duplication, both allays have a five minute cooldown before being able to duplicate again.

Teleportation

This feature is exclusive to Bedrock Edition. 

When a player teleports through a Nether portal, the player's allay will teleport as well, even if it does not enter the portal.

The allay cannot teleport to the End.

Sounds

Java Edition:
Allays use the Friendly Creatures sound category for entity-dependent sound events.

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item4.oggAllay seeksFriendly CreaturesRandomly while holding an itementity.allay.ambient_with_itemsubtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item0.121.0-1.516//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item4.oggAllay yearnsFriendly CreaturesRandomly while not holding an itementity.allay.ambient_without_itemsubtitles.entity.allay.ambient_without_item0.10.8-1.216//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_death1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_death2.oggAllay diesFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay diesentity.allay.deathsubtitles.entity.allay.death0.240.8-1.216//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_hurt1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_hurt2.oggAllay hurtsFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay is damagedentity.allay.hurtsubtitles.entity.allay.hurt0.321.2-1.816//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given4.oggAllay chortlesFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay is given an item from a playerfalse0false10.21.016//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken4.oggAllay allaysFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay's item is removed by a playerfalse2false30.21.2516//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_thrown1.oggAllay tossesFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay throws an itemfalse4false50.25varies [sound 1]16//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Amethyst_shimmer.oggAmethyst chimesFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay is duplicatedfalse6false70.41.016

1. ↑ Can be 0.5625, 0.625, 0.75, 0.375, 1.0, 1.0, 1.125, 1.25, 1.5, 1.875, 2.0, or 2.25

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_with_item4.oggFriendly CreaturesRandomly while holding an itemfalse80.251.25//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_idle_without_item4.oggFriendly CreaturesRandomly while not holding an itemfalse90.121.0//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_death1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_death2.oggFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay diesentity.allay.ambient_with_item00.51.0//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_hurt1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_hurt2.oggFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay is damagedentity.allay.ambient_with_item10.51.0//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_given4.oggFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay is given an item from a playerentity.allay.ambient_with_item20.11.0//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken1.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken2.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken3.ogg//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_taken4.oggFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay's item is removed by a playerentity.allay.ambient_with_item30.11.25//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Allay_item_thrown1.oggFriendly CreaturesWhen an allay throws an itementity.allay.ambient_with_item40.3varies [sound 1]//minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/File:Amethyst_shimmer.oggBlocksWhen an allay is duplicatedentity.allay.ambient_with_item51.00.5-1.7

1. ↑ Can be 0.5, 0.5625, 0.625, 0.75, 0.9375, 1, 1.125, 1.25, 1.5, 1.875, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 3.75, or 4

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierTranslation keyAllayentity.allay.ambient_with_item6entity.allay.ambient_with_item7

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric IDTranslation keyAllayentity.allay.ambient_with_item6entity.allay.ambient_with_item9subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item0

Entity data

Allays have entity data associated with them that contain various properties.

Java Edition:

Main article: Entity format

• Entity data
  • Tags common to all entities
  • Tags common to all mobs
  •  CanDuplicate: 1 or 0 (true/false) – true if the allay can duplicate. This is set to false when the allay duplicates, and subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item2 when subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item3 reaches 0.
  •  DuplicationCooldown: The allay's duplication cooldown in ticks. This is set to 6000 game ticks (5 minutes) when the allay duplicates.
  •  Inventory: List of items the allay has picked up. This list can contain at most one compound tag. The item given by the player to the allay is stored in its subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item4 tag, not here.
    • Tags common to all items
  •  listener: The vibration event listener of this allay.
    •  distance: Nonnegative integer.
    •  event: Optional.
      •  distance: Nonnegative integer.
      •  game_event: A resource location of the game event.
      •  pos: Three doubles representing the X, Y, and Z coordinates.
      •  projectile_owner: Optional. The projectile owner's UUID. The 128-bit UUID is stored as four 32-bit integers, ordered from most to least significant.
      •  source: Optional. The source entity's UUID. The 128-bit UUID is stored as four 32-bit integers, ordered from most to least significant.
    •  event_delay: Nonnegative integer.
    •  event_distance: Nonnegative integer.
    •  range: Nonnegative integer.
    •  source: Position source.
      •  type: A resource location of the position source type.
      • For type subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item5
        •  pos: X, Y, and Z coordinates.
      • For type subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item6
        •  source_entity: The entity's UUID. The 128-bit UUID is stored as four 32-bit integers, ordered from most to least significant.
        •  y_offset:

Bedrock Edition:

See Bedrock Edition level format/Entity format.

Achievements

IconAchievementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)Gamerscore earnedTrophy type (PS4)PS4OtherBirthday songHave an Allay drop a cake at a noteblock.Tame an allay by giving it a cake while having dropped cake items and play a noteblock nearby.10GBronze

Advancements

IconAdvancementIn-game descriptionParentActual requirements (if different)Resource location

You've Got a Friend in Me
Have an Allay deliver items to youHusbandryGive an allay an item and then have it return to the player with more of that item.
This is a hidden advancement, meaning that it can be viewed by the player only after completing it, regardless if one or more of its child advancements have been completed.subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item7

Birthday Song
Have an Allay drop a Cake at a Note BlockYou've Got a Friend in MeGive an allay a cake and then use a note block to make the allay drop the cake at a note block.
This is a hidden advancement, meaning that it can be viewed by the player only after completing it, regardless if one or more of its child advancements have been completed.subtitles.entity.allay.ambient_with_item8

Video

History

October 12, 2021The allay is announced as part of the mob vote for Minecraft Live 2021.Clarifications on the allay's behavior were made, revealing that they don't actually duplicate items or take items from chests.[1][2]October 16, 2021The allay wins the mob vote at Minecraft Live 2021.Java Edition1.1922w13aAdded allays.22w15aAllays now have natural regeneration, at a rate of 2

per second.22w16aIncreased the health of allays from 10

to 20

× 10.Allays now drop the item they are holding upon death.1.19.122w24aAllays now dance near jukeboxes that are playing music.Allays can now be duplicated by using an amethyst shard on a dancing allay.The duplication cooldown for allays is now 21⁄2 minutes.Pre-release 1The duplication cooldown for allays has been increased to 5 minutes.Bedrock Edition1.18.10beta 1.18.10.26entity.allay.ambient_with_item6 and entity.allay.ambient_without_item0 IDs are added to the game and referenced in the Bedrock Beta Addons Documentation.1.18.30beta 1.18.30.20Added entity.allay.ambient_without_item1 and updated entity.allay.ambient_without_item2 structure components to pillager outposts and woodland mansions respectively. They do not yet generate.Wild Update (experimental)beta 1.18.30.22Added allays. Currently, allays make no idle sounds.When they are hit, they make the same sound as the player.beta 1.18.30.28Allays are now immune to damage from their owner.Allays no longer pick up item variants, although they do pick up identical items with different NBT data.1.19.0beta 1.19.0.20Allays are now available without enabling experimental gameplay.Allays can be leashed with a lead and nametagged with a name tag while holding an item.beta 1.19.0.24Increased the health of allays from 16

× 8 to 20

× 10.Allays now have natural regeneration, going at a rate of 2 HP per second.1.19.10beta 1.19.10.20Pickup range is changed from 64 to 32 blocks.beta 1.19.10.22Added allay duplication, making it possible to duplicate an allay with an amethyst shard and a jukebox.beta 1.19.10.24Allays now have a 5 minute cooldown.

Issues

Issues relating to "Allay" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Trivia

• The allay was originally planned for the Nether Update.[3]
• Some previous names considered for the allay were the wisp and the pixie.[3]
• The reason why allay duplication uses amethyst shards is because the item is renewable, has a musical sound that fits with the allay, and it adds more value to amethyst geodes.[4][5]
• According to the "meet the allay" article on Minecraft.net, the reason why allays can be tamed by players is because they form a "magical connection" when that player gives it an item. This bond is what prevents players from accidentally harming their allay.[6]
• Originally, Mojang considered having allays naturally spawn within forest biomes. However, the reason they went with pillager outposts and woodland mansions, was because they wanted to highlight the companionship aspect.[7]

Gallery

Animations

• An allay dancing.

Screenshots

• An allay in a sparse jungle with two shulkers, a jukebox, and some cookies.

• An allay trapped in a prison in a woodland mansion.

• Some allays trapped in an outpost cage.

• Top down view of some allays trapped in an outpost cage.

• A few allays trapped in a cage in a savanna outpost.[8]

• A few allays trapped in a prison in a woodland mansion from inside.

• Compararation between the Allay and the new model and texture of the Vex.

Concept artworks and prototypes

• One of the early concepts for the allay. Its limbs resemble a wisp from Minecraft Dungeons.

• Concept art of possible allay colors.

• Various iterations of how the allay could carry items.

• An early prototype of the allay. Its limbs resembles the Baby Ghast from Minecraft Dungeons.

• Prototype allay design with particles.

• Prototype allay design with a different set of particles.

• Prototype allay holding a cookie.

• An allay prototype with a model error, referred to as a blooper as a joke.

In other media

• An allay in official artwork for The Wild Update.

• An allay following Alex in a boat.

• Allay artwork.

See also

• MCD:Wisp

References

1. ↑ "Allays are not item duplicators, they pick up items nearby on the floor that are the same item it has been given. So you could give it a dirt block, then it finds dirt blocks that are dropped, collects them, then returns and drops them to the player or a note block." – @kingbdogz on Twitter, October 12, 2021
2. ↑ "They cannot get items from chests either. Only dropped items. You could feasibly use this for item sorting if you make a cool contraption :D" – @kingbdogz on Twitter, October 12, 2021
3. ↑ a b "The Secrets of Minecraft: The Allay" – Minecraft on YouTube, March 29, 2022
4. ↑ "Seen some questions as to why we landed om amethyst shards as the item for Allay duplication * They have a musical sound to them, which goes well with Allays * They are renewable, something we really wanted * The magical feeling of them resonates (pun intended) well with Allays" – @Badgerisi on Twitter, June 9, 2022
5. ↑ "Also, adding extra value to the Geodes felt proper as well" – @Badgerisi on Twitter, June 9, 2022
6. ↑ //www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/meet-allay
7. ↑ //www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/meet-allay
8. ↑ "Finally we can share the Allay with you all 😊 we still have some more work to do on it but I would love to hear your thoughts on it so far! What do you think of the Allay? What kind of adventures did you get up to together?" – @_Ulraf_ on Twitter, March 10, 2022

   How do you get Allay to follow you?

   Once you've found some trapped Allays, break the jail cell bars to free them. The only way to get the Allays to follow you after that is to give them an item to search for, so give them any item and lead them to safety. Quick tip: Minecraft added Allays with the Wild Update, which released in June 2022.

   Do allays follow the player?

   The allay starts following the player, seeking out dropped versions of the same item and delivering them to its player. The allay returns to wandering around if any player takes its item back by using an empty hand on it.

   Can you tame an Allay in Minecraft?

   Allays are not a tamable Mob in the way Cats and Wolves are. They can still be made to follow the Player around like a Dog or Cat would, but the way an Allay does it is a little different. Allays are completely focused on helping out the Player and in order to “tame” them all you have to do is give them an Item.

   How many allays can follow you?

   Each cage can have up to three Allays at the same time.