Best crossbow enchantments in Minecraft
The best crossbow build in Java Edition is Quick Charge III, Multishot, Unbreaking III and Mending. Swap Multishot for Piercing IV if it suits your play style better.
Recommended build · 4 enchantments
Java Edition 26.3Cheapest anvil order
Calculated for this build. Combining in the wrong order can make the last step “Too Expensive!”.
Enchantment planner: the cheapest anvil order
Pick the item and the enchantments you want. The planner tests every possible order and keeps the one that costs the fewest levels.
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Too expensive: one step costs 40 levels or more, which survival refuses. Remove an enchantment or apply it later with an enchanting table.
Anvil steps · Put the left item in the first anvil slot and the right one in the second.- Step 1 Crossbow BookUnbreaking III 3 levels
- Step 2 BookMending BookMultishot 2 levels
- Step 3 CrossbowUnbreaking III BookMultishot, Mending 6 levels
- Step 4 CrossbowMultishot, Unbreaking III, Mending BookQuick Charge III 6 levels
Have at least 6 levels for the most expensive step. In XP points, the whole order costs about 187 if you level up just enough before each step.
Calculated from the Java Edition 26.3 game files
Pick one of these
They exclude each other: the item can carry only one of them.
Take itMultishotThe crossbow shoots three arrows (or rockets) at once for the cost of one. Can't be combined with Piercing.
AlternativePiercing IVCrossbow arrows pass through one extra mob per level, and can be picked up again. Can't be combined with Multishot.
What the enchanting table gives the crossbow
Each enchantment’s weight in the table’s draw, from the game files.
Piercing45%Quick Charge23%Unbreaking23%Multishot9%Share of the total weight (22) · the level depends on the XP spent
All 6 crossbow enchantments
| Enchantment | ID | Max | Enchanting table | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curse of Vanishing | I | No (curse) | Avoid | |
| Mending | I | No (treasure) | Take it | |
| Multishot | I | Yes | Take it | |
| Piercing | IV | Yes | Alternative | |
| Quick Charge | III | Yes | Take it | |
| Unbreaking | III | Yes | Take it |
Crossbow — FAQ
What is the best enchantment for the crossbow?
Quick Charge III, with Multishot, Unbreaking III and Mending.
How many enchantments can go on the crossbow?
6 enchantments can go on it; 4 of them together in the recommended build.
Which enchantments can’t go together on the crossbow?
Only one per group: Multishot / Piercing.
Which enchantments for the crossbow can’t you get from the enchanting table?
Not on the table: Mending. Look for enchanted books from other sources; each enchantment page says where.
