Minecraft wiki entry for Combat, associated text: Like with other mobs, the player can place a boat in front of the creeper's path, so that it will enter the boat, and is unable to escape. The player can then place a 2-block-high pillar next to the boat with the creeper inside, stand behind it, come out and hit the creeper, and retreat back behind the pillar when the creeper hisses, and repeat, until the creeper dies.