The Ultimate Minecraft Enchantments Guide: Best Picks for Every Tool & Armor
If you’ve ever thought about an enchantment, enchantment table or anvil and just stared at it, not sure what to pick, which ones the best or what’s the right way to do it, you’re not alone. With so many enchantments to choose from, it’s easy to waste XP on something that doesn’t really help you in any way
This beginners guide keeps things simple. We’ll break down the enchantments that are actually worth using, why they matter, and how to put together a strong set of gear without stressing over.
The Gold Standard, Your go-to “God Gear” Checklist:-
Before we dive into the specifics, here’s the dream setup for any serious survival player. Use this as your ultimate goal to achieve in your playthrough:
- Sword: Sharpness V, Looting III, Unbreaking III, Mending, Knockback II (optional), Sweeping Edge III (Java).
- Pickaxe: Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, Fortune III, Mending.
- Armor (Helmet to Boots): Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending + specific perks (Feather Falling IV on boots, Depth Strider III on boots, etc.).
- Bow: Power V, Infinity(my go-to) OR Mending, Unbreaking III, Flame
Now, let’s break down exactly why these are the best of the best.
Best Sword Enchantments:-
Your sword is your best friend in the dark. Here’s how to make it unstoppable.
- Sharpness V (Essential): Straight-up increases your damage.
- Looting III (Game-Changing): Get more drops from mobs (more Ender Pearls from Endermen, more Blaze Rods, and more rare items). This enchantment pays for itself.
- Mending (Auto-Repair): Uses your collected XP to repair your tool. Once you have it, you’ll never need to craft another sword again.
- Unbreaking III (Durability): Makes your sword last exponentially longer. A non-negotiable for any near & dear tool.
Pro Tip: Knockback II is great for keeping hordes of zombies and creepers at bay, but can be annoying when you’re trying to repeatedly hit a single mob.
Best Pickaxe Enchantments:-
A great pickaxe doesn’t just mine fast, it makes you richie rich.
- Efficiency V (Non-Negotiable): Instantly mines through most blocks by increasing mining speed.
- Fortune III: This is a priority, It gives you more drops from ores such diamonds etc.
- Mending & Unbreaking III (The Durable Duo): Just like with your sword, these two enchantments make your pickaxe last forever.
- Silk Touch (Optional): This is situational but incredibly powerful. It lets you mine blocks as themselves like getting the ore block instead of diamonds, or harvesting glass without breaking it.
Best Armor Enchantments:-
Staying alive is your top priority. These enchantments make you a tank.
- Protection IV (Best protector): Reduces damage from almost everything.
- Unbreaking III & Mending (The Durable Duo): Do I need to say anything…
- Feather Falling IV (Boots): Reduces fall damage dramatically. A lifesaver when building high or exploring hilly terrain.
- Depth Strider III (Boots): Lets you move at normal speed underwater. Exploring ocean monuments without it is a nightmare.
- Soul Speed III (Boots – Optional): Walk faster on Soul Sand.
Best Bow Enchantments:-
Turn your bow into a weapon of mass destruction.
- Power V: Massively increases your arrow damage. The most important bow enchantment.
- Infinity vs. Mending (The Great Debate):
- Infinity means you only need one arrow in your inventory. Perfect if you hate crafting arrows.
- Mending lets you repair your bow, but you’ll need a steady supply of arrows (which can easily solved with a skeleton farm).
- You cannot have both. Choose based on your preference!
- Flame: Sets your targets on fire for extra damage over time. Simple and effective.
- Unbreaking III: Makes your bow last much, much longer.
Bonus – How to Combine Enchantments Without the “Too Expensive!” Message
The anvil has a hidden “work penalty” that increases each time you use it on an item. Once it gets too high, you can’t add more enchantments. So here’s how to avoid it:
- Combine Books First: You should put books directly on your tool. Combine enchantment books with each other on an anvil first.
- Use the “4-Step Method”: Aim to enchant your final item in 4 or fewer anvil operations.
- Find a Mending Villager: This is the best way to get the Mending enchantment without relying on random enchantment tables or loot.
