Loyalty enchantment in Minecraft
Loyalty makes a thrown trident fly back to you after it hits something, and higher levels bring it back faster. It is what turns the trident into a reusable ranged weapon, and it cannot be combined with Riptide.
Loyalty at a glance
- Max level
- III
- Works on
- Trident
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- Riptide
- Rarity
- Uncommon (weight 5)
- Anvil cost
- ×2 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Loyalty do?
A thrown trident flies back to you; higher levels make it return faster. Can't be combined with Riptide.
Loyalty ILoyalty IILoyalty III How to get Loyalty
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for trident. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Loyalty book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Loyalty.
CombineAnvilCombine a Loyalty book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Loyalty
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Loyalty
Can’t combine withRiptideMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:loyalty 3/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:loyalty":3}]Why Loyalty is close to essential
Without it, a thrown trident stays where it lands: at the bottom of the sea, across a ravine, or among a crowd of mobs. That hurts, because tridents cannot be crafted. You get them from drowned that carry one, or as a rare reward from a vault in the Trial Chambers.
Which level do you need?
Loyalty I already brings the trident back. Levels II and III only make the return faster, so you throw more often in a fight. Loyalty III is the target for a finished trident, but a level I book is fine to start with.
Combinations
Loyalty only clashes with Riptide. It works with Impaling, Channeling, Unbreaking and Mending. Loyalty and Channeling are a natural pair: you call down lightning and get the trident back for the next throw. The best trident enchantments build uses Impaling V, Loyalty III, Channeling, Unbreaking III and Mending.
Many players keep two tridents: one with Loyalty for fighting, one with Riptide for travel.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Loyalty — FAQ
Can you put Loyalty and Riptide on the same trident?
No. They are mutually exclusive. Keep a second trident if you want both.
Is Loyalty III worth it over Loyalty I?
Yes for a main weapon: the trident comes back faster, so you can throw it more often. Loyalty I is enough to never lose it.
Where do you get a trident?
From drowned that hold one, or as a rare reward from a Trial Chambers vault. Tridents cannot be crafted.
Can you get Loyalty from an enchanting table?
Yes. Loyalty can appear on the enchanting table for trident.
What is the max level of Loyalty?
Loyalty goes up to level III.