Minecraft PVP has much more depth than most believe, and having the right enchantments can make all the difference one needs to succeed. So, today, we explore the best enchantments for PVP in Minecraft.

Best Minecraft PVP Enchantments in 2025

Minecraft has many weapons that all have their niches, but in PVP, the best setup typically comes down to a sword, axe, shield, bow, and armor. For that reason, this guide will be focusing on those specific items. Additionally, we did not list Unbreaking III or Mending I for an item unless there was a specific reason to do so. This does not mean having Unbreaking III or Mending I is in any way a demerit to a PVP item. If you have the spare enchanted books to add them, Unbreaking III and Mending I are by all means recommended for every item listed below.

Sword & Axe

Sword

• Sharpness V
• Sweeping Edge III
• Fire Aspect II

Axe

• Sharpness V
• Unbreaking III

When fully enchanted, the sword boasts the highest damage per second of any weapon in the game. To reach that point Sharpness V and Fire Aspect II are required. Sweeping Edge is also recommended if dealing with multiple enemies to boost that damage output even further. Depending on the circumstances, Knockback II can be anywhere from optional to the best enchantment in the game. If you feel it would be beneficial to your PVP style and the type of PVP that you play, then add away. As for the Axe, only Sharpness V and Unbreaking III are recommended. Sharpness for landing some of the highest damage critical strikes in Minecraft, and Unbreaking III to account for the increased durability consumption that using an axe as a weapon causes. If PVPing in Minecraft version 1.9 and 1.10, we would also recommend putting Efficiency V on your axe to increase the chance that it disables a shield on hit. Outside of those two specific versions, Efficiency has no effect on an axe’s PVP capabilities.

Shield

• Unbreaking III

Shields have no enchanting options besides Mending I and Unbreaking III. If you would like to add either to your shield, by all means, do so. The actual effectiveness of the shield remains unchanged, however.

Bow

• Power V
• Flame I
• Punch II

For bows, the enchantments are pretty straightforward. Power V is recommended for the extra damage, Flame I for igniting enemies from afar, and Punch II to keep distance or give time to switch to melee options.

Armor

Helmet

• Protection IV
• Thorns III
• Unbreaking III

Chestplate

• Protection IV
• Thorns III
• Unbreaking III

Leggings

• Protection IV
• Swift Sneak III
• Thorns III
• Unbreaking III

Boots

• Protection IV
• Feather Falling IV
• Thorns III
• Unbreaking III

In PVP, many types of damage can come flying your way, making the versatility of Protection IV a must-have over all the other defensive enchantment options. Thorns III is great for damage your enemy may not expect, but due to the increased durability consumption that Thorns III causes, it makes Unbreaking III highly recommended as well. On the leggings, swift sneak makes stealth much more viable and escaping all the easier. Never underestimate free speed! Finally, Feather Falling IV can be lifesaving when unfortunate knockbacks occur and a water bucket isn’t an option. After all, even half a heart of damage saved could make all the difference in competitive PVP.