How Many Enchantments Can a Sword Have in Minecraft 2025?

1. How Many Enchantments Can a Sword Have?

In Minecraft, there is no strict limit to the number of enchantments you can apply to a sword, but practical limitations arise due to enchantment compatibility and mechanics. Each item type, including swords, has a specific set of compatible enchantments, and some enchantments conflict with others, meaning they cannot be applied together.

For example, you cannot combine Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods on the same sword, as they are mutually exclusive. Similarly, other enchantments may conflict or be limited by the game’s mechanics.

As of Minecraft 1.21, swords can have up to 8 enchantments at maximum, including the Curse of Vanishing, which is often considered less desirable. The available enchantments for swords are:

• Bane of Arthropods
• Curse of Vanishing
• Fire Aspect
• Knockback
• Looting
• Mending
• Sharpness
• Smite
• Sweeping Edge (Java Edition only)
• Unbreaking

Due to conflicts (e.g., Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods cannot coexist), the maximum practical number of enchantments is typically 8, including Curse of Vanishing. Without it, you can achieve up to 7 useful enchantments.

2. Best Enchantments for Swords in Minecraft

To forge the ultimate sword, you need to choose enchantments that suit your playstyle. Below are the best enchantments for swords in Minecraft 1.21, along with their benefits.

Sharpness V / Smite V / Bane of Arthropods V

Choose one of these mutually exclusive enchantments based on your needs:

• Sharpness V: The go-to choice for general use. It increases overall melee damage by 3 points (1.5 hearts) at level V in Java Edition, making it ideal for most combat scenarios.
• Smite V: Deals extra damage to undead mobs like Zombies, Skeletons, and Withers. Perfect for players exploring strongholds or fighting the Wither.
• Bane of Arthropods V: Boosts damage against arthropod mobs (spiders, cave spiders, bees, silverfish, and endermites). It’s niche but useful for spider farms or specific challenges.

Unbreaking III

Unbreaking III increases your sword’s durability by giving it a 75% chance to avoid durability loss per hit. This is essential for prolonged use, especially with high-value Netherite swords.

Mending

Mending is arguably the best enchantment for any item. It uses collected EXP to repair your sword’s durability (2 EXP restores 1 durability point). To activate, hold the sword in your main hand, off-hand, or equip it while collecting EXP orbs.

Sweeping Edge III (Java Edition only)

Exclusive to Java Edition, Sweeping Edge III increases the damage of sweeping attacks, making it highly effective against groups of mobs. It’s a must-have for crowd control in Java Edition.

Looting III

Looting III increases the quantity and quality of mob drops, making it ideal for farming resources like leather, beef, or rare items. It does not affect EXP drops.

Fire Aspect II

Fire Aspect II sets enemies on fire, dealing additional damage over time. It also causes mobs like cows or pigs to drop cooked meat, reducing the need for furnaces.

Knockback II

Knockback II pushes enemies farther back with each hit, creating space in close combat. However, it can be counterproductive against ranged mobs like Skeletons, as it makes them harder to approach.

3. How to Get the Highest Level Enchantments?

The Enchanting Table offers random enchantments, and getting high-level ones directly is unlikely. For the best results, use Enchanted Books, which can be obtained through:

• Trading with Villagers: Librarians can trade high-level Enchanted Books.
• Enchanting Books: Use an Enchanting Table with books and max-level setups (15 bookshelves).
• Loot Chests: Find Enchanted Books in structures like mineshafts, dungeons, or ancient cities.
• Fishing: There’s a small chance to fish up Enchanted Books.

Combine Enchanted Books in an Anvil to create higher-level enchantments or apply them to your sword. Be mindful of the anvil’s experience cost, which increases with each combination.