Best Minecraft Crossbow Enchantments

Updated:

28 Jun 2020

Introduced in Minecraft update 1.8, Crossbows are a ranged weapon that can be crafted, dropped from pillagers or piglins, and naturally generated at several structures. Created to give Minecraft another range weapon, crossbows are stronger than bows but have a slower draw time.

With the implementation of bows into Minecraft, enchantments for the weapon were introduced as well. Today I’m going to be counting down all of the crossbow enchantments from worst to best. Ranking as of June 2020.

6. Curse of Vanishing

The Curse of Vanishing enchantment is an enchantment only supported in the Java Edition of Minecraft. It can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and through in-game commands. The maximum level for Curse of Vanishing is I.

What Makes Curse of Vanishing Great:

Once equipped it causes the player’s crossbow to become cursed. Once a player dies the item will disappear instead of being dropped.
Any cursed item will be lost even if the game rule “keep inventory” is set to true.

5. Piercing

A crossbow exclusive enchantment, Piercing is supported in both the Java and Bedrock Editions of Minecraft. It can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and through in-game commands. The maximum level for Piercing is IV.

What Makes Piercing Great:

Once equipped it causes arrows fired from the crossbow to pierce through multiple targets.
With a maximum level of IV, the power of this enchantment varies.

*NOTICE: Piercing is incompatible with Multishot.

4. Multishot

Another crossbow specific enchantment, multishot is supported by both the Java and Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. With a maximum level of I, multishot can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and in-game commands.

What Makes Multishot Great:

Once equipped, players have the ability to shoot three arrows.
Although players shoot 3 arrows, the crossbow only uses one.

*NOTICE: Multishot is incompatible with Piercing.

3. Unbreaking

The first durability enchantment on my list is Unbreaking. Supported in both the Java and Bedrock Editions, this enchantment has a maximum level of III. This enchantment can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and in-game commands.

What Makes Unbreaking Great:

The crossbow doesn’t wear out as quickly. Enabling longer use.
The higher the level the greater the durability protection.

2. Mending

The second durability enchantment on my list is Mending. Taking the throne as the best durability enchantment for the crossbow. This enchantment can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and in-game commands. The maximum level for mending is I.

What Makes Mending Great:

Allows crossbows to be mended through XP orbs.
Extra XP orbs that do not go towards mending will be added to the players XP bar for more enchantment levels

1. Quick Charge

My pick for the best enchantment for the crossbow is Quick Charge. This enchantment helps the crossbow compete with the quickness of the original bow. Available for both Java and Bedrock Edition, this enchantment can be added through enchantment tables, anvils, and in-game commands. The maximum level for Quick Charge is III.

What Makes Quick Charge Great:

Equipping Quick Charge gives players a reduced reload speed for their crossbow.
With a faster reload speed, players can make use of the crossbow much easier.

That concludes my ranking of all of the crossbow enchantments in Minecraft. Whether you find the crossbow at a structure, you craft it yourself or you loot it off of another player, equipping it with these enchantments will set you apart from the rest.

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