Best spear enchantments in Minecraft
The best spear build in Java Edition is Sharpness V, Lunge III, Looting III, Fire Aspect II, Unbreaking III and Mending. Swap Sharpness V for Smite V if it suits your play style better.
Recommended build · 6 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 Netherite Spear BookLooting III 6 levels
- Step 2 BookSharpness V BookUnbreaking III 3 levels
- Step 3 Netherite SpearLooting III BookSharpness V, Unbreaking III 10 levels
- Step 4 BookFire Aspect II BookLunge III 3 levels
- Step 5 BookLunge III, Fire Aspect II BookMending 3 levels
- Step 6 Netherite SpearSharpness V, Looting III, Unbreaking III BookLunge III, Fire Aspect II, Mending 15 levels
Have at least 15 levels for the most expensive step. In XP points, the whole order costs about 628 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.
OptionalBane of Arthropods VAdds 2.5 damage per level against arthropods (spiders, cave spiders, bees, silverfish, endermites) and slows them down for a moment.
Take itSharpness VAdds melee damage against every mob: +1 at level I, then +0.5 per extra level. Can't be combined with Smite or Bane of Arthropods.
AlternativeSmite VAdds 2.5 damage per level against undead mobs: zombies, skeletons, the Wither, phantoms, drowned…
What the enchanting table gives the spear
Each enchantment’s weight in the table’s draw, from the game files.
Sharpness26%Bane of Arthropods13%Lunge13%Smite13%Unbreaking13%Fire Aspect5%Looting5%Share of the total weight (39) · the level depends on the XP spent
All 10 spear enchantments
| Enchantment | ID | Max | Enchanting table | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bane of Arthropods | V | Yes | Optional | |
| Curse of Vanishing | I | No (curse) | Avoid | |
| Fire Aspect | II | Yes | Take it | |
| Knockback | II | Yes | Optional | |
| Looting | III | Yes | Take it | |
| Lunge | III | Yes | Take it | |
| Mending | I | No (treasure) | Take it | |
| Sharpness | V | Yes | Take it | |
| Smite | V | Yes | Alternative | |
| Unbreaking | III | Yes | Take it |
Spear — FAQ
What is the best enchantment for the spear?
Sharpness V, with Lunge III, Looting III, Fire Aspect II, Unbreaking III and Mending.
How many enchantments can go on the spear?
10 enchantments can go on it; 6 of them together in the recommended build.
Which enchantments can’t go together on the spear?
Only one per group: Bane of Arthropods / Sharpness / Smite.
Which enchantments for the spear 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.
