Power enchantment in Minecraft
Power raises the damage of arrows shot from a bow: +50% at level I, then +25% per extra level, so Power V gives arrows 150% more base damage. It is the bow's main damage enchantment and the first one worth getting.
Power at a glance
- Max level
- V
- Works on
- Bow
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- None
- Rarity
- Common (weight 10)
- Anvil cost
- ×1 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Power do?
Raises arrow damage: +50% at level I, then +25% per extra level.
Power IPower IIPower IIIPower IVPower V How to get Power
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for bow. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Power book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Power.
CombineAnvilCombine a Power book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Power
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Power
No incompatibility: it combines with every other enchantment its item can take.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:power 5/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:power":5}]How the bonus works
Power raises the arrow's base damage, and the game then scales that by the arrow's speed. The bonus is therefore largest on a fully drawn shot: a quick tap of the bow gains much less. It applies to every arrow the bow fires, tipped arrows and spectral arrows included.
Power is for bows only. A crossbow cannot take it and has no damage enchantment at all.
Where a Power bow shines, and where it does not
It is the weapon for targets you cannot reach with a sword: phantoms, ghasts, mobs across a ravine, and the Ender Dragon. Some mobs are bad targets whatever the enchantment: endermen teleport away from arrows, and breezes deflect them.
Getting Power V and building the bow
Power is the most common bow enchantment on the enchanting table, but rarely at level V. Combine two Power IV books on an anvil, or buy a Power V book from a librarian. Then complete the bow with Punch, Flame, Unbreaking and either Mending or Infinity: the best bow enchantments page gives the full build and the cheapest anvil order.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Power — FAQ
Does Power work on a crossbow?
No. Power only goes on bows. Crossbows rely on Multishot, Piercing and Quick Charge instead.
How much damage does Power V add?
It raises the arrow's base damage by 150%, which is then multiplied by the arrow's speed. A fully drawn shot gets the most out of it.
Should I get Power or Infinity first?
Power. It changes how fast you kill everything, while Infinity only saves arrows.
Can you get Power from an enchanting table?
Yes. Power can appear on the enchanting table for bow.
What is the max level of Power?
Power goes up to level V.