Minecraft wiki entry for Combat, associated text: Having armor enchanted with Protection will reduce the damage taken, but beware of vindicators holding an enchanted axe, as it can deal even more damage than it normally does, sometimes killing unarmored players in a single hit. This is not a mob to be taken lightly, even late game. Even more so, when it is coupled with the other illager types, such as evokers pillagers and ravagers. Blocking with a shield doesn't work, as vindicators have the ability to disable shields using the axe's stun function. ‌[Java Edition only] During raids, prioritize to kill vindicators over pillagers, as these mobs become regular enemies at later waves.