Combat is a crucial part of Minecraft, and it can be both difficult and exciting. Whether battling zombies in a dimly lit cave or protecting one's base from unfriendly opponents, possessing formidable weapons can be the deciding factor. Well-enchanted weapons can assist players in defeating foes more swiftly, inflicting more damage, and even providing utility benefits. In this article, we'll examine the best enchantments for each major weapon type in Minecraft as of the 2025 updates, including the latest 1.21 stable version and features from the Mounts of Mayhem snapshots like the new Spear.

Sword

The sword remains a versatile melee weapon. Here are the top enchantments:

1. Mending

The Mending enchantment is a potent addition to a sword, as it enables players to restore it by utilizing the experience orbs they gather while playing the game. This makes the sword nearly indestructible as long as experience is collected.

Mending is compatible with all other sword enchantments except for the Curse of Vanishing.

2. Looting

The Looting enchantment increases the amount of loot dropped by mobs, including rare items and experience orbs. At level III, it maximizes drops.

Looting is compatible with all other sword enchantments.

3. Sharpness

Sharpness increases the sword's damage by 1.25 points per level, up to V, adding up to 6.25 extra damage.

Sharpness is mutually exclusive with Smite and Bane of Arthropods.

4. Unbreaking

Unbreaking reduces the chance of durability loss, effectively multiplying the sword's lifespan by up to 4 times at level III.

Unbreaking is compatible with all other sword enchantments.

5. Fire Aspect

Fire Aspect sets targets on fire, dealing damage over time for 4 seconds per level, up to II.

Fire Aspect is compatible with most enchantments but can make some fights trickier, like against endermen.

6. Knockback

Knockback pushes enemies away on hit, up to level II, useful for crowd control.

It can be a double-edged sword against fast mobs.

7. Sweeping Edge

Sweeping Edge increases sweeping attack damage, up to 75% at level III (Java Edition only).

Not compatible with Fire Aspect in some contexts.

8. Smite

Smite adds extra damage to undead mobs, up to 12.5 at level V, ideal for skeletons and zombies.

Mutually exclusive with Sharpness and Bane of Arthropods.

Axe

Axes serve as both tools and weapons, excelling in damage but slower than swords.

1. Sharpness

Sharpness V boosts damage, making the axe a powerful weapon against all mobs.

2. Efficiency

Efficiency V speeds up wood chopping, but as a weapon, it helps in quick strikes.

3. Silk Touch

Silk Touch allows collecting blocks intact, useful for utility.

Incompatible with Fortune.

4. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III extends durability.

5. Mending

Mending repairs with XP.

Bow

Charge to shoot

Bows are essential for ranged combat.

1. Power

Power V increases arrow damage by up to 150%.

2. Flame

Flame sets arrows on fire, igniting targets.

3. Punch

Punch II knocks targets back further.

4. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III increases durability.

5. Infinity or Mending

Infinity prevents arrow consumption; Mending repairs with XP. Mutually exclusive.

Crossbow

Crossbows offer powerful shots with loading time.

1. Quick Charge

Quick Charge III reduces loading time significantly.

2. Multishot or Piercing

Multishot fires three arrows; Piercing IV allows arrows to pass through multiple entities. Mutually exclusive.

3. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III for durability.

4. Mending

Mending for repairs.

Trident

Use the Trident to

Tridents are throwable melee weapons with unique enchantments.

1. Mending

Essential for repairing rare tridents.

2. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III extends use.

3. Loyalty

Loyalty III returns the trident instantly.

4. Channeling

Channeling summons lightning in storms.

5. Riptide

Riptide III launches the player with the trident in water/rain. Incompatible with Loyalty and Channeling.

6. Impaling

Impaling V boosts damage to aquatic mobs (Java) or in water (Bedrock).

Mace

The Mace, introduced in 1.21, deals massive fall-based damage.

1. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III for longevity.

2. Density or Smite or Breach

Density V increases fall damage; Smite V for undead; Breach IV reduces armor effectiveness. Mutually exclusive.

3. Mending

Mending for repairs.

4. Wind Burst

Wind Burst III creates a wind charge on smash hits.

5. Fire Aspect

Fire Aspect II optional, but may interfere with Wind Burst.

Spear

The Spear is a new tiered weapon added in the Mounts of Mayhem update snapshots, craftable from wood to netherite, with jab and charge attacks.

1. Sharpness

Sharpness V increases base damage, essential for combat effectiveness.

2. Mending

Mending repairs the spear with XP, keeping it durable.

3. Lunge

Lunge, exclusive to spears, propels the player forward during jab attacks, up to level III, enhancing mobility and reach.

4. Unbreaking

Unbreaking III reduces durability loss.

5. Looting

Looting III increases mob drops.

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