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Best bow enchantments in Minecraft: Damages, advantages, and more

Dealing damage from afar with a bow is great, especially when you give your bow an extra kick.

Reviewed by: Naim Rosinski

The bow is one of the most reliable weapons in Minecraft but the vanilla version may not be enough in the later stages of the game, especially when you need to fight stronger mobs in the wild. That is when enchantments come into play to strengthen your bow and give you the upper hand. Minecraft offers a couple of enchantments for bows with different advantages. This piece goes over the best bow enchantments in Minecraft!

All bow enchantments in Minecraft

Minecraft has seven bow enchantments and they are Power, Unbreaking, Infinity, Punch, Flame, Mending and Curse of Vanishing. Here is a closer look at all of them:

Power

Power increases arrow damage, helping you defeat enemies faster. Higher levels cause more damage, making battles shorter and safer for players. Power is essential when fighting strong enemies like zombies or skeletons. It saves time and arrows.

Level

Damage (Full Charge)

None

6 HP

I

9 HP

II

11 HP

III

12 HP

IV

14 HP

V

15 HP

Power V can give up to 25 damage to enemy mobs (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Power V can give up to 25 damage to enemy mobs (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Unbreaking

Unbreaking increases how long a bow lasts. It does this by giving a chance that the bow will not lose durability when used. This enchantment helps players avoid constantly making new bows, saving materials like sticks and strings. It is particularly useful during long battles or explorations.

Level

Durability

None

384 shots

Unbreaking I

768 shots

Unbreaking II

1152 shots

Unbreaking III

1536 shots

Unbreaking III is the highest enchantment level (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Unbreaking III is the highest enchantment level (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Infinity

Infinity allows players to shoot unlimited arrows using only one arrow in the inventory, which means you don’t need any extra recipes to craft more arrows. This enchantment is helpful because it saves inventory space and resources. However, Infinity does not work with tipped or spectral arrows, which still get used normally. Players using Infinity bows should always carry at least one regular arrow.

Shoot unlimited arrows with Infinity (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Shoot unlimited arrows with Infinity (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Punch

Punch pushes enemies back when arrows hit them. It gives players extra safety by keeping enemies at a distance. Punch works especially well when fighting near cliffs or lava, where pushing enemies away can defeat them quickly and safely.

Level

Knockback Distance

None

2 blocks

Punch I

5.5 blocks

Punch II

8.8 blocks

You can push enemies back with the Punch enchantment (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
You can push enemies back with the Punch enchantment (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Flame

Flame sets arrows on fire, causing extra damage to enemies. The fire deals 5 HP of damage over 5 seconds. It helps defeat enemies quicker by adding continuous damage after the initial hit. Flame only sets enemies, TNT, and candles on fire. However, it will not ignite trees or buildings

Burn enemy mobs with this enchantment (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Burn enemy mobs with this enchantment (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Mending

Mending repairs your bow using experience points collected from defeated enemies or other activities. This enchantment keeps your bow fully repaired, allowing continuous use without creating new ones. Mending does not work with Infinity, so players must choose between unlimited arrows or unlimited durability.

Mending makes sure your bow stays healthy at all times (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Mending makes sure your bow stays healthy at all times (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

Curse of Vanishing

Curse of Vanishing causes your bow to disappear when you die. It prevents you from retrieving the bow after death, adding an extra challenge to survival. Players usually avoid using this enchantment unless they want a harder experience or to keep valuable items away from other players.

Keep your bow even when you die (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
Keep your bow even when you die (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

What is the best bow enchantment in Minecraft?

The best bow enchantments are:

  • Power V: Gives the highest damage.
  • Unbreaking III: Makes the bow last longer.
  • Infinity or Mending:
    • Infinity gives unlimited arrows but cannot be repaired forever.
    • Mending repairs your bow but requires you to carry arrows.
  • Flame: Adds fire damage.
  • Punch II: Pushes enemies back significantly.

How to enchant a bow in Minecraft

To enchant a bow in Minecraft, follow these easy steps:

  1. Open the enchanting table.
  2. Put your bow in the first box.
  3. Put three Lapis Lazuli in the second box (not needed in Creative mode).
  4. Choose the enchantment you want.
  5. Click to enchant the bow.

What is the max enchantment for a Bow in Minecraft?

Here are the highest enchantment levels you can put on bows:

  • Power: Level V
  • Unbreaking: Level III
  • Punch: Level II
  • Flame: Level I
  • Infinity: Level I
  • Mending: Level I

Skeletons and traps drop enchanted bows. The enchantment levels range from 5 to 23, depending on difficulty. Higher difficulties mean better enchantments.

Can you get Power 5 on a bow?

Yes, you can enchant a bow with Power V. This is the strongest Power enchantment. It greatly increases arrow damage. You can get Power V directly from an enchantment table or combine lower-level enchantments using an anvil.

Enchanting bows is important for any Minecraft player who wants to survive longer and enjoy the game more. Good enchantments turn bows into powerful weapons.

What is the best order for enchantment bows?

The best way to enchant a bow is to follow a smart order. Start with Power V. This enchantment increases your damage. Then add Unbreaking III. It helps your bow last longer. After that, use Flame to set targets on fire. Then apply Punch II to knock them back.

At the end, choose Infinity or Mending. You can’t use both at the same time. Minecraft does not allow that. Infinity lets you shoot arrows without using them up. Mending repairs the bow when you collect experience. Pick the one you prefer. Use an anvil to add enchantments step by step. Start with the ones that cost less experience. This makes the process easier.

Can a bow have infinity and mending?

No. Minecraft does not allow a bow to have both Infinity and Mending. You can only pick one. If you try to add both, the game will block it. Infinity gives you unlimited arrows. But the bow will break after some time. Mending fixes the bow when you earn experience. But you need to carry arrows.

How to make a perfect bow in Minecraft

First, craft a normal bow. Use three sticks and three strings. Then gather the enchantments: Power, Unbreaking, Flame, Punch, and either Mending or Infinity. Use an anvil to add them one by one. Start with the cheapest combinations. This saves experience. Now you have a strong and useful bow.