Projectile Protection enchantment in Minecraft
Projectile Protection reduces damage from arrows, tridents, fireballs, Wither skulls, wind charges and thrown items by 8% per level on each armor piece. It cannot share a piece with Protection or the other specialized protections, so it is a choice for specific fights.
Projectile Protection at a glance
- Max level
- IV
- Works on
- Boots, Chestplate, Helmet and Leggings
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- Protection, Blast Protection, Fire Protection
- Rarity
- Uncommon (weight 5)
- Anvil cost
- ×2 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Projectile Protection do?
Reduces damage from arrows, tridents, fireballs and other projectiles (8% per level). Can't be combined with the other protections.
Projectile Protection IProjectile Protection IIProjectile Protection IIIProjectile Protection IV How to get Projectile Protection
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for boots, chestplate, helmet and leggings. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Projectile Protection book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Projectile Protection.
CombineAnvilCombine a Projectile Protection book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Projectile Protection
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Projectile Protection
Can’t combine withProtectionMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Can’t combine withBlast ProtectionMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Can’t combine withFire ProtectionMutually exclusive: an item can only carry one of them.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:projectile_protection 4/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:projectile_protection":4}]What counts as a projectile
Arrows from Skeletons and Pillagers, tridents thrown by Drowned, the wind charges of a Breeze, Wither skulls and snowball-type thrown items all count. The impact of a Ghast fireball counts as both a projectile and fire, so Projectile Protection and Fire Protection both reduce it. The blast that follows is an explosion, which Protection reduces a little and Blast Protection covers.
One piece or a full set?
Protection points from all your armor add up to a cap of 20, which blocks 80% of the damage. Protection gives 1 point per level on every piece, Projectile Protection 2 per level against projectiles. Full Protection IV already blocks 64% of arrow damage; with one piece of Projectile Protection IV and three of Protection IV, you hit the 80% cap against projectiles and keep 48% against the rest.
When it is worth it
- Raids, where crossbows come from every side.
- Trial Chambers, full of skeletons and Breezes.
- Long fights against the Wither and its skulls.
A Shield remains the best answer to arrows, since it blocks them completely when raised. Projectile Protection covers you when you can't block. The other specialized option is Fire Protection.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Projectile Protection — FAQ
Does Projectile Protection work against Ghast fireballs?
Partly. It reduces the damage of the direct hit. The explosion that follows counts as explosion damage, which Blast Protection or Protection reduce.
Should you use Projectile Protection on all four pieces?
Rarely. One piece of Projectile Protection IV with Protection IV on the others already reaches the 80% cap against projectiles.
Can you get Projectile Protection from an enchanting table?
Yes. Projectile Protection can appear on the enchanting table for boots, chestplate, helmet and leggings.
What is the max level of Projectile Protection?
Projectile Protection goes up to level IV.
What is Projectile Protection incompatible with?
Projectile Protection can’t go on the same item as Protection, Blast Protection and Fire Protection.