Boss Guide · Second Boss · 1.21.1
Twilight Lich: How to Beat the Lich Boss
The Twilight Lich hides behind six magic shields at the top of the Lich Tower. Learn the three phases, how to break the shields, and which of the four scepters to keep.
Last checked: October 31, 2026 · Works for 1.21.1 and 26.1.2 builds
The Twilight Lich is the second boss in the mod and the first one that needs a plan instead of a good sword. It has 100 health, but a sword does nothing to it for the first part of the fight. You break its shields with magic, clear its zombie minions, then finish it in melee. This page walks through each phase, the Lich Tower climb, and the four scepters it can drop.
| Phase | What the Lich does | How you end it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Shields | Six shields orbit it. It throws green bolts and bombs, and up to two shadow clones join in | Break all six shields with magic damage or reflected bolts |
| 2 Minions | Switches to the Zombie Scepter and raises up to nine zombie minions, three at a time | Kill every minion it summons |
| 3 Melee | Draws a golden sword and comes at you, teleporting away after some hits | Normal sword damage until it dies |
Finding and climbing the Lich Tower
The Lich Tower is the tallest structure in the forest biomes, a pale stone spire you can often see over the tree line. Defeating the Naga first matters: the advancements screen points you here next. A Magic Map also marks it; see the magic map guide if you have trouble finding one.
In current 1.21.1 builds the tower was rebuilt. It now has a graveyard yard, a proper entrance foyer where mobs cannot spawn, and many more side rooms with ladders and spawner bridges. Older versions use a simpler tower with no real door. Either way the boss room is at the top, and in the new layout it has four pillars you can use for cover.
Use the foyer as a base. Because nothing spawns there in the new tower, it is a safe place to drop a bed, sort gear and come back to after a death.
How to beat the Lich, phase by phase
Bring a stack of Splash Potions of Harming if you can brew them, a sword, a bow, good food and armor.
Phase 1: break the six shields
While the shields are up, sword hits and normal arrows just make a blocking sound. Only magic damage above one heart removes a shield, one per hit. You have two ways to do it:
- Reflect the green bolts. Hit a bolt as it flies at you and it shoots back faster. A reflected bolt that lands takes one shield.
- Throw Splash Potions of Harming. Each one that hits strips a shield. This is the most reliable method.
Do not punch the bombs. The Lich also throws slow, dark bombs. Hitting one makes it explode right next to you, and the blast ignores armor. Step aside instead.
The shadow clones look like the Lich but with lit eyes. They cannot be hurt, so ignore them and keep tracking the real one, the one wearing the shields.
Phase 2: clear the minions fast
Once the last shield breaks, the Twilight Lich raises zombie minions. Two details make this phase harder than it looks. If the Lich’s own attacks hit a minion, that zombie gets Speed and Strength. And once the Twilight Lich is under half health, it can absorb a living minion and heal by however much health that minion had left. Kill minions quickly and keep them out of the Lich’s line of fire.
Phase 3: finish it in melee
With the minions gone the Twilight Lich draws a golden sword and closes in. Now any weapon works. It teleports away after some of your hits, so be ready to turn and find it. It can also kill nearby mobs to heal a little, so keep the room clear.
The four Twilight Lich scepters
The Lich drops one scepter at random, plus enchanted gold gear, Ender Pearls, Bones, Exanimate Essence and a Lich Trophy. Every scepter has limited charges. Put an empty one in a crafting grid with its recharge item to refill it.
Scepter of Twilight
Fires twilight bolts that deal magic damage. 99 charges. Recharge with Ender Pearls. Its bolts can break a Lich’s shields, which helps a friend on a second fight.
Scepter of Life Draining
A short beam that drains health from a mob and heals you. 99 charges. Recharge with Fermented Spider Eyes.
Zombie Scepter
Summons a loyal zombie that fights for you with a Strength boost. 9 charges. Recharge with Rotten Flesh or a Potion of Strength.
Scepter of Fortification
Gives you five orbiting shields that soak up hits. 9 charges. Recharge with Golden Apples. The best pick for the next boss fights.
Looking for the Lich Crown? That item comes from the Reliquified add-on, covered on the Reliquified Twilight Forest page.
After the lich boss falls
Defeating the Lich opens three regions at once: the Swamp, the Snowy Forest and the Dark Forest. Each leads to its own branch of bosses. Most players go to the Swamp next for the Labyrinth, because its reward, the Meef Stroganoff, is the key to the Fire Swamp. Continue with the Minoshroom and Labyrinth guide, check the full boss order, or go back to the Naga guide if you skipped it. The Twilight Forest mod home page has download and version info.
Common Questions
Why can't I hurt the Lich with my sword?
In phase 1 the Lich is protected by six shields that block normal damage. Break them with Splash Potions of Harming or by hitting its green bolts back at it. After that, normal weapons work.
Which Lich clone is the real one?
The real Lich is the one with shields orbiting it. The shadow clones cannot be damaged, so ignore them and track the shielded one.
Can I choose which scepter the Lich drops?
No. It drops one of the four scepters at random. In multiplayer, more players in the fight can mean more rolls.
Is the Lich King the same as the Twilight Lich?
Yes. Players often search for the Lich King, but the mod calls this boss the Twilight Lich.
How do I recharge a Lich scepter?
Place the scepter in a crafting grid with its recharge item: Ender Pearls for Twilight, Fermented Spider Eyes for Life Draining, Rotten Flesh or Strength potions for Zombie, and Golden Apples for Fortification.
Swamp next: the Labyrinth
The Lich opens the Swamp, Snowy Forest and Dark Forest. Head into the Swamp to find the Minoshroom.