How to build a small test arena to practice and film mace smashes

A simple arena helps you learn the timing of the Better Mace wave and get clean footage of the effect.

Build the arena

1. Choose a flat area and place a 3x3 pen of fence or walls to hold a mob. Cover it so it does not burn in daylight if it is a zombie.

2. Next to the pen, build a pillar several blocks tall with a ladder or steps to climb it.

3. Spawn or lead a mob into the pen. Put a bucket of water nearby in case you misjudge a drop.

Practice and film

1. Climb the pillar with your mace and step off over the pen.

2. Attack the mob while you are falling. The wave appears around it.

3. Try different heights. The pack does not change damage, but the fall still affects how hard the hit is, so you can see how the attack feels from each height.

4. Move your camera or have a friend record from the side. This shows the wave better than a top-down view.

5. Replace the mob when it dies, or use a sturdier one so you can repeat the smash several times.

Keep health topped up, since a missed smash still means taking fall damage.