Piercing enchantment in Minecraft
Piercing lets a crossbow arrow pass through one extra mob per level, so a Piercing IV arrow can hit up to five mobs in a line. It cannot be combined with Multishot and is the crossbow's pick for lined-up targets.
Piercing at a glance
- Max level
- IV
- Works on
- Crossbow
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- Multishot
- Rarity
- Common (weight 10)
- Anvil cost
- ×1 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Piercing do?
Crossbow arrows pass through one extra mob per level, and can be picked up again. Can't be combined with Multishot.
Piercing IPiercing IIPiercing IIIPiercing IV How to get Piercing
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for crossbow. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Piercing book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Piercing.
CombineAnvilCombine a Piercing book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Piercing
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Piercing
Can’t combine withMultishotMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:piercing 4/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:piercing":4}]When Piercing beats Multishot
Multishot spreads three arrows sideways; Piercing sends one arrow straight through everything in its path. It shines when mobs line up:
- Corridors, tunnels and doorways, where mobs come at you one behind the other.
- Mob farms where the mobs are packed in a narrow channel.
- A raid coming down a village street, with pillagers and vindicators in a row.
Against a single target, it adds nothing.
Arrows only
Piercing affects arrows. A firework rocket loaded into the crossbow does not pierce, so if you like rocket volleys, Multishot is the better partner.
Building a Piercing crossbow
Piercing is the most common crossbow enchantment on the enchanting table, which makes it easy to get early. A full build is Quick Charge III, Piercing IV, Unbreaking III and Mending. The best crossbow enchantments page lists Piercing IV as the swap for Multishot. Like every crossbow enchantment, it cannot go on a bow.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Piercing — FAQ
How many mobs can a Piercing IV arrow hit?
Up to five in a line: the first one plus one extra per level.
Does Piercing work with firework rockets?
No. Piercing only affects arrows. For rockets, Multishot is the better choice.
Piercing or Multishot?
Piercing for mobs in a line, such as corridors and farms. Multishot for groups spread out in front of you and for rocket volleys.
Can you get Piercing from an enchanting table?
Yes. Piercing can appear on the enchanting table for crossbow.
What is the max level of Piercing?
Piercing goes up to level IV.