The 7 Best Sword Enchantments in Minecraft [2023]

In the blocky, yet limitless expanse of Minecraft, survival hinges on how well you wield your sword. More than just a tool for felling trees or mining, the sword is a bulwark against relentless mobs and a key to vanquishing formidable foes.

Given its pivotal role in your Minecraft journey, it’s no surprise that players often seek to augment their swords with enchantments, infusing them with power and versatility that can mean the difference between thriving or just surviving.

Enchantments take the humble sword from a mere instrument of defense to a potent weapon, capable of dealing increased damage, yielding more loot, and even turning the tide of a boss fight. But with an array of enchantments to choose from, knowing which ones to pick can be as daunting as facing a creeper in a narrow mineshaft.

Fear not, whether you’re a Minecraft novice just starting your adventure or a seasoned player looking to level up your game, we’ve got you covered.

From unleashing a flurry of attacks with the Sharpness enchantment to repairing your sword on the fly with Mending, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best sword enchantments in Minecraft.

These enchantments, albeit some are rare, can transform your sword into a tool of unmatched power, a testament to your journey, and a beacon of your triumphs in the world of Minecraft. Join us as we delve into the art of sword enchanting, and let’s carve a path to victory one block at a time.

Sword Enchantments Comparison Table

EnchantmentLevelsEffect
Sharpness (Java Edition)I – VAdds 0.5 * (level - 1) + 1.0 extra damage.
Sharpness (Bedrock Edition)I – VEach level adds 1.25 extra damage.
UnbreakingI – IIIDecreases the chance of your weapon’s durability decreasing when used.
Fire AspectI – IISets the target on fire for up to 4 seconds, causing them to take burning damage for the duration.
KnockbackI – IICauses enemies to be knocked back when struck. At level II, enemies can be knocked back a total of six blocks.
LootingI – IIIIncreases the drop rate of rarer monster materials and the quantity of loot from mobs.
Bane of ArthropodsI – VIncreases damage dealt to arthropod mobs such as spiders, cave spiders, bees, silverfish, and endermites. The damage increase scales with the level of the enchantment.
SmiteI – VIncreases damage dealt to arthropod mobs such as spiders, cave spiders, bees, silverfish, and ender mites. The damage increase scales with the level of the enchantment.

The 7 Best Sword Enchantments Minecraft

1. Sharpness

  1. Brief description: The Sharpness enchantment increases the amount of damage your sword deals with each hit. For the Java Edition, it adds 0.5 * (level - 1) + 1.0 extra damage, while in the Bedrock Edition, each level adds 1.25 extra damage.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: Sharpness makes your sword more effective in combat, allowing you to defeat enemies more quickly and efficiently. This can be particularly useful when dealing with more durable mobs or when you find yourself outnumbered.

2. Looting

  1. Brief description: The Looting enchantment increases the quantity and rarity of drops from defeated mobs.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: Looting can drastically improve your resource gathering, especially when hunting for rare drops. It can make acquiring certain materials and items more efficient, making this a valuable enchantment for general gameplay and farming.

3. Fire Aspect

  1. Brief description: Fire Aspect sets your enemies on fire for up to four seconds, causing them to take burning damage over time.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: This enchantment adds a damage-over-time effect to your attacks, which can be particularly useful for wearing down tougher enemies. It also provides a source of light, which can be useful when exploring darker areas.

4. Knockback

  1. Brief description: Knockback pushes enemies back when they’re hit. At level II, enemies can be knocked back a total of six blocks.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: Knockback can provide valuable breathing room in combat, especially when dealing with groups of enemies. It also has the potential to push enemies into environmental hazards like lava or cliffs.

5. Sweeping Edge

  1. Brief description: Sweeping Edge increases the damage of your sword’s sweeping attack, which is the attack that hits multiple enemies in a sweep motion.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: Sweeping Edge is great for dealing with groups of enemies, making it easier to handle mobs. It enhances your ability to control crowds and manage multiple attackers.

6. Unbreaking

  1. Brief description: Unbreaking decreases the chance of your sword’s durability decreasing when it’s used.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: With Unbreaking, your sword lasts longer, reducing the frequency of repair or replacement. This is especially valuable for high-quality swords that are expensive or difficult to replace.

7. Mending

  1. Brief description: Mending uses experience orbs collected to repair your sword’s durability automatically.
  2. How it enhances gameplay: Mending helps maintain the durability of your sword, effectively increasing its lifespan. This can be particularly beneficial for preserving enchanted swords, helping you keep your best gear in top condition for longer.

How to Enchant a Sword in Minecraft

The required tools and materials

  1. An Enchanting Table: This is the primary tool you need to enchant items. Crafting an enchanting table requires 4 obsidian, 2 diamonds, and 1 book.
  2. Lapis Lazuli: This mineral is used as a resource for enchanting. It’s found by mining Lapis Lazuli ore, which can be found between layers 1-31.
  3. A Sword: The item you wish to enchant. This can be any type of sword – wood, stone, iron, diamond, or netherite.
  4. Experience Levels: Enchanting in Minecraft uses up experience levels. The number of levels required depends on the enchantment and its level.

The process of enchanting

  1. First, place the enchantment table on the ground and right-click on it to open the enchanting interface.
  2. Place the sword in the left slot of the enchanting table interface.
  3. Place the required amount of Lapis Lazuli in the middle slot. The amount needed will depend on the enchantments available.
  4. You will see three options for enchantments, each requiring a different number of experience levels (and therefore, different amounts of Lapis Lazuli). Hover over each one to see what enchantments you might receive. The enchantments are random, but the tooltip will give you a hint about one possible enchantment you can get.
  5. Click on the enchantment you want to apply to your sword. This will consume the Lapis Lazuli and experience levels.
  6. If the enchantment is not what you wanted, you can use a grindstone to remove the enchantment and try again, but keep in mind this will not give you back the spent Lapis Lazuli or experience points.
  7. If you want higher-level enchantments, you can surround your enchantment table with bookshelves. Every bookshelf increases the maximum level of enchantment you can receive.

Remember that the availability of enchantments is somewhat random, and certain enchantments may conflict with each other. For example, you can’t have Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods on the same sword, you must choose one. Similarly, you can’t combine Silk Touch with Fortune. Planning your enchantments can be an important part of your Minecraft strategy.

Advantages Of Using Sword Enchantments In Minecraft

Sword enchantments in Minecraft provide a multitude of benefits that can dramatically enhance your gameplay experience. Here are some of the key advantages of using sword enchantments:

  1. Increased Damage: Enchantments like Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods increase the amount of damage your sword deals. This allows you to defeat mobs and other players more quickly and efficiently.
  2. Special Effects: Certain enchantments provide additional effects. Fire Aspect, for example, sets your enemies ablaze, dealing additional damage over time. Knockback pushes enemies away from you, potentially positioning them for strategic attacks or simply giving you room to breathe.
  3. Resource Optimization: Enchantments like Looting increase the drop rate of resources from mobs, making your battles more rewarding.
  4. Durability: Enchantments like Unbreaking and Mending increase the longevity of your sword. Unbreaking gives your sword a chance to not use a durability point with each use, and Mending uses collected experience orbs to repair your sword, both of which can save resources in the long run.
  5. Versatility: Certain enchantments can help in specific situations. For instance, Bane of Arthropods is extremely effective when exploring areas with many spiders, while Smite is particularly useful in areas where undead mobs (like zombies or skeletons) are common.
  6. Efficient Farming: With the right enchantments, you can create an efficient farming system. For example, using a sword enchanted with Looting to defeat mobs can significantly increase the number of drops you can collect, making your farming efforts more productive.
  7. Customization: Finally, enchantments allow you to customize your sword to suit your specific playstyle and strategy. Whether you’re focusing on combat efficiency, resource gathering, or exploration, there’s an enchantment that can help enhance your experience.

More to check:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best enchantments for a sword in Minecraft?

Sharpness: It increases the amount of damage done by the sword. It can be leveled up to five times, adding up to 3 extra damage in Java Edition and up to 6.25 extra damage in Bedrock Edition​​.
Unbreaking: This enchantment helps to decrease the deterioration of your weapons, extending their durability​.
Looting: This enchantment increases the drop rate of rarer monster materials​1​.
Fire Aspect: It sets the target ablaze for up to four seconds, causing additional burning damage​.
Knockback: It allows you to put distance between you and your enemies, sending them flying backward​​.

What is the strongest enchanted sword?

The strongest enchanted sword in Minecraft is often considered to be the Netherite Sword with enchantments such as Sharpness V, Unbreaking III, Fire Aspect II, Looting III, and Knockback II. The Sharpness V enchantment increases the base damage of the Netherite Sword from 8 to 11 in Java Edition and 14.25 in Bedrock Edition​.

What is a max sword in Minecraft?

The “Max Sword” or “God Sword” in Minecraft typically refers to a sword that has been enchanted with all the highest level enchantments that are applicable to a sword. This would typically be a Netherite Sword enchanted with Sharpness V, Unbreaking III, Fire Aspect II, Looting III, and Knockback II, along with any other enchantments you find useful.

How do you make a god sword in Minecraft?

As for whether Smite or Sharpness is better, it depends on what you’re fighting. Smite is more effective against undead enemies, adding 2.5 extra damage per hit for each level up to five times, making it more effective against skeletons, zombies, and similar mobs​​. However, Sharpness increases damage against all enemy mobs, making it a more versatile choice.

How do you make the strongest sword in Minecraft?

To make the strongest sword in Minecraft, you need to combine a Netherite sword with Sharpness V, Fire Aspect II, Looting III, Mending, and Sweeping Edge III.

Is Smite or sharpness better?

Smite and Sharpness are both good enchantments for swords, but Smite is better against undead mobs, while Sharpness is better against all other mobs.

How do you make an infinity sword in Minecraft?

To make an infinity sword in Minecraft, you need to combine a bow with Infinity I and Mending.

How do you make a dragon sword in Minecraft?

To make a dragon sword in Minecraft, you need to combine a Netherite sword with the Dragon Head item.

Is there a flaming sword in Minecraft?

Yes, there is a flaming sword in Minecraft. It is called the Fire Aspect sword, and it can be obtained by enchanting a sword with the Fire Aspect enchantment.

Final Verdict

As we’ve journeyed through the enchanting world of Minecraft, we’ve unpacked the multitude of sword enchantments that can transform your gameplay from ordinary to extraordinary.

The game’s enchantments aren’t just fancy additions; they’re strategic tools that can prepare you for any situation you might face in the expansive Minecraft universe.

Equip your sword with the right enchantments, and you’re not just a player – you become a formidable force, ready to tackle any challenge with confidence.

This guide has delved into the upper echelons of enchantments, laying out how you can elevate your game to new heights.

Now, it’s your turn to experiment with these enchantments, discover your preferred combinations, and forge a sword that’s not just a tool, but a testament to your mastery of the game. If this guide has aided you in creating the ultimate enchanted sword, we’d love to hear your stories and experiences.

Remember, in the world of Minecraft, the only limit is your imagination. Now go forth, explore, conquer, and most importantly, enjoy every moment. Happy gaming!

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