Sweeping Edge enchantment in Minecraft
Sweeping Edge makes a sword's sweep attack stronger: the mobs right next to your target take a share of the hit, up to 75% with Sweeping Edge III. It works on swords only and is the enchantment for fighting groups.
Sweeping Edge at a glance
- Max level
- III
- Works on
- Sword
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- None
- Rarity
- Rare (weight 2)
- Anvil cost
- ×4 on an item, ×2 on a book
What does Sweeping Edge do?
Raises the damage of a sword's sweep attack, which hits the mobs around your target.
Sweeping Edge ISweeping Edge IISweeping Edge III How to get Sweeping Edge
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for sword. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Sweeping Edge book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Sweeping Edge.
CombineAnvilCombine a Sweeping Edge book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Sweeping Edge
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Sweeping Edge
No incompatibility: it combines with every other enchantment its item can take.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:sweeping_edge 3/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:sweeping_edge":3}]When does a sweep happen?
Not on every hit. A sweep needs a fully charged swing, on the ground, while you are not sprinting and not falling (a falling hit becomes a critical hit instead). Only then does the blade also catch the mobs standing next to your target. Spam-clicking and sprint attacks never sweep, enchanted or not.
Where it pays off
- Mob farms, where mobs are packed together at the killing spot.
- Crowds: a group of zombies at night, or the waves of a raid with pillagers and vindicators.
- Slimes and other mobs that come in numbers.
Against a single target, Sweeping Edge does nothing: it never raises the damage of the main hit.
What to pair it with
It has no exclusivity, so it sits next to Sharpness or Smite, Looting, Fire Aspect, Unbreaking and Mending. Avoid Knockback on the same sword: it scatters the very group you want to sweep. Sweeping Edge III is part of the best sword enchantments build.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Sweeping Edge — FAQ
Does Sweeping Edge work on an axe or a spear?
No. The sweep attack belongs to swords, and Sweeping Edge only goes on swords.
Why doesn't my sword sweep?
You are probably sprinting, jumping or clicking before the attack is fully charged. Stand on the ground, wait for the full charge and hit without sprinting.
Does Sweeping Edge add damage to the main target?
No. It only raises the damage dealt to the mobs around the target.
Can you get Sweeping Edge from an enchanting table?
Yes. Sweeping Edge can appear on the enchanting table for sword.
What is the max level of Sweeping Edge?
Sweeping Edge goes up to level III.