01What does Decoy do?
Decoy puts out a decoy that mobs focus on for 8 seconds. For those 8 seconds, the zombie pack, the skeleton line, whatever was on you, has somewhere else to look. It's a PvE tool first: its listed effect is about mob attention.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Combat |
| Unlock | 70 Patches |
| Duration | 8 seconds of mob attention |
| Cooldown | 30 seconds |
| Heat per use | 25 |
Don't confuse it with the Decoy Doll, a separate custom item that drops from mobs. See custom items.
Of the two Combat powers, Decoy is the cheaper one: 25 Heat against Shockwave's 35, though its cooldown is 2 seconds longer.
02How do you unlock Decoy?
Hit 70 Patches. On the Patch track it comes after Ghost Bridge (25), Short Flight (40) and the Utility slot (50), and before Shockwave (100). At the 60-per-day Patch cap, that's at least two days of earning. Patches come from contracts, events and opted-in PvP wins. Full track: patches and progression.
03The 8-on, 22-off rhythm
Decoy holds attention for 8 seconds and recharges in 30. So you get 8 seconds of cover and 22 without. Use the 8 seconds for something specific:
- Break line of sight. Get around a corner or up a ledge while mobs watch the decoy.
- Finish a mining job. 8 seconds is enough to grab a couple of ores you pinged with Ore Ping.
- Reposition for a Shockwave. Set up so the mobs that come back are inside 5 blocks at once.
- Get out. Pair it with Dash and you're 7 blocks gone before the decoy expires.
The timing lines up neatly with Dash: one Decoy covers 8 seconds, and Dash's 12-second cooldown means you'll usually have Dash back before the next Decoy is ready.
04Decoy combos and Heat
| Combo | Heat | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Decoy + Dash | 43 | Distract, then leave |
| Decoy + Ore Ping | 45 | Mine pinged ores under cover |
| Decoy + Shockwave | 60 | Distract, then clear everything within 5 blocks |
| Decoy + Shockwave + Dash | 78 | Full reset, 22 Heat spare |
| Decoy x4 | 100 | At the cap |
Spammed on cooldown, Decoy adds 25 Heat every 30 seconds, or 50 per minute. Cheap enough that you can keep it on cooldown during a long mob fight and still have Heat for a movement power.
05Where Decoy fits in your loadout
Decoy is one of two Combat-type powers, with Shockwave. The Combat loadout slot unlocks at 120 Patches. You'll have Decoy before that slot, so plan for it once you get there.
Brand-new players get help from the server too: hostile mobs ignore you at night for your first 10 minutes. Decoy is what replaces that protection once you're on your own in caves.
06A sample cave run with Decoy
Here's how the numbers play out in a typical mob-heavy cave, starting from a cool bar:
- Ore Ping (20 Heat) to see what's worth fighting for.
- Mobs close in. Decoy (25 Heat, total 45) holds their attention for 8 seconds.
- Mine the closest pinged ores while they're distracted.
- When they come back, Shockwave (35 Heat, total 80) knocks everything within 5 blocks back and deals 1 heart.
- Leave with Dash if you need to (18 Heat, total 98).
That whole sequence fits under 100 with 2 to spare, and Heat cools while you mine. The order matters: Decoy first, because its 30-second cooldown is the longest of the three combat-side tools you'd use here.
07Decoy and the Heat cap
Decoy is mid-cost, but it's usually fired in a panic, and that's how players overheat. With PvP on, crossing 100 Heat in Survival makes you WANTED for 180 seconds, which is the worst time to be in a mob fight. If you're above 75, a Decoy crosses the cap. The Heat system page has the full rules.
08Common Decoy mistakes
- Using it as a PvP tool. The listed effect is mob attention. Plan for mobs.
- Standing still for 8 seconds. The decoy buys time. Spend it moving, mining or setting up.
- Forgetting the 22-second gap. After it ends you're on your own until the cooldown finishes.
- Firing it in a safe zone. Powers are blocked in safe zones and the hub.
Decoy is 70 Patches in. Join at play.cheatsmp.dev and work toward it with daily contracts. Start with the guide.
FAQFrequently asked questions
How do I distract mobs in Minecraft?
On CHEAT SMP, the Decoy power holds mob attention for 8 seconds for 25 Heat, with a 30-second cooldown.
How many Patches does Decoy cost?
70 Patches. Patches can't be bought; you earn them from contracts, events and opted-in PvP wins.
How long does Decoy last?
8 seconds, then a 30-second cooldown from use.
Is Decoy the same as the Decoy Doll?
No. Decoy is a core power. The Decoy Doll is a custom item that drops from mobs.
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Last updated 2026-10-30. Facts match the live server; prices scale with the market index.