Drowned is a neutral underwater zombie variant that spawns in oceans, rivers, and dripstone caves, or when regular zombies drown. They attack with melee attacks, but some spawn armed with tridents, which they throw at players from a distance. Drowned are the only renewable source of copper ingots.

Drowned drop 0–2 rotten flesh upon death, which can be increased with the Looting enchantment. They have an 11% chance to drop 1 copper ingot, which can increase up to 17% with Looting III. Trident-wielding Drowned have a 8.5% chance (15.5% with Looting III) to drop a trident when killed by a player.

Drowned cannot be bred but spawn naturally in deep water. Regular zombies that sink into water for 30 seconds will convert into Drowned, making them a transforming mob similar to zombified piglins.

Drowned are hostile mobs and will attack players on sight. Most use melee attacks, but those holding a trident throw them from a distance, dealing significant damage. Drowned move slowly on land but swim quickly in water, making them dangerous underwater. They are commonly found near ruins and shipwrecks and can also ride undead horses underwater in some rare cases.