Thorns enchantment in Minecraft
Thorns hurts whoever hits you: each armor piece with Thorns has a 15% chance per level to damage the attacker. In exchange, the piece loses extra durability every time it triggers. The enchanting table only offers it on chestplates, but an anvil can put it on any armor piece.
Thorns at a glance
- Max level
- III
- Works on
- Chestplate, Boots, Helmet and Leggings
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- None
- Rarity
- Very rare (weight 1)
- Anvil cost
- ×8 on an item, ×4 on a book
What does Thorns do?
Attackers have a 15% chance per level to take 1 to 5 damage when they hit you. It costs extra durability.
Thorns IThorns IIThorns III How to get Thorns
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for chestplate. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Thorns book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Thorns.
CombineAnvilCombine a Thorns book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Thorns
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Thorns
No incompatibility: it combines with every other enchantment its item can take.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:thorns 3/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:thorns":3}]Each piece rolls on its own
Thorns is checked separately on every piece that carries it. One chestplate with Thorns III triggers on 45% of the hits you take; with Thorns III on all four pieces, at least one piece strikes back on most hits. That makes a full set a real deterrent in melee, but also four pieces wearing out faster.
The real cost: durability
Each time Thorns triggers, the piece loses 2 extra points of durability on top of the normal wear. On armor you want to keep forever, pair it with Unbreaking and Mending, otherwise you will be back at the anvil often.
Watch out for mobs wearing it
Mobs that spawn with enchanted armor can roll Thorns. A Zombie or a Skeleton in enchanted gear may hurt you back when you hit it, which is worth keeping in mind when you are low on health.
Is Thorns worth it?
It shines in PvP and when you fight many melee mobs at once. For a long-term armor set, many players skip it because of the extra wear, and keep the slot for Protection and Mending only. The best chestplate enchantments page shows both builds.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Thorns — FAQ
Does Thorns stack across armor pieces?
Yes, in the sense that each piece with Thorns rolls its own chance on every hit. More pieces means it triggers more often.
Does Thorns damage your own armor?
Yes. Each time it triggers, the piece loses 2 extra points of durability. Unbreaking and Mending offset this.
Can mobs have Thorns?
Yes. Mobs that spawn with enchanted armor can get Thorns, so hitting them can hurt you back.
Can you get Thorns from an enchanting table?
Yes. Thorns can appear on the enchanting table for chestplate.
What is the max level of Thorns?
Thorns goes up to level III.