Channeling enchantment in Minecraft
Channeling calls down lightning on a mob hit by your thrown trident, but only during a thunderstorm and only if the target is under the open sky. It has a single level, works with Loyalty, and cannot be combined with Riptide.
Channeling at a glance
- Max level
- I
- Works on
- Trident
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- Riptide
- Rarity
- Very rare (weight 1)
- Anvil cost
- ×8 on an item, ×4 on a book
What does Channeling do?
During a thunderstorm, a trident thrown at a mob under the open sky calls down lightning on it. Can't be combined with Riptide.
How to get Channeling
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for trident. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Channeling book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Channeling.
CombineAnvilCombine a Channeling book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Channeling
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Channeling
Can’t combine withRiptideMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:channeling/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:channeling":1}]The conditions
Three things must line up: a thunderstorm (plain rain is not enough), a target that can see the sky, and a hit from the thrown trident. Melee hits with the trident never call lightning. Under a roof or in a cave, nothing happens.
The lightning rod trick
During a thunderstorm, a Channeling trident that hits a lightning rod under the open sky also calls lightning onto the rod. Any lightning rod works, oxidized or not. That lets you strike a precise spot without hitting a mob.
What lightning is good for
- Charged creepers: lightning turns a creeper into a charged one. Its explosion makes a zombie, skeleton, wither skeleton, piglin or creeper it kills drop its head, such as the creeper head.
- A mooshroom struck by lightning switches between red and brown.
- Lightning also turns a pig into a zombified piglin and a villager into a witch. Mind your village during a storm.
Combinations
Pair it with Loyalty so the trident comes back after each strike, then Impaling, Unbreaking and Mending. Only Riptide is off limits. Channeling is part of the best trident enchantments build.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Channeling — FAQ
Does Channeling work in the rain?
No. It needs a thunderstorm, and the target must be under the open sky.
Does Channeling work with a melee hit?
No. Only a thrown trident calls down lightning.
How do you make a charged creeper?
Hit a creeper under the open sky with a thrown Channeling trident during a thunderstorm. The lightning turns it into a charged creeper.
Can you get Channeling from an enchanting table?
Yes. Channeling can appear on the enchanting table for trident.
What is the max level of Channeling?
Channeling has a single level.