The ultimate guide to the best sword enchantment combinations, optimal order, and anvil cost for Minecraft Java Edition.
A well-enchanted sword is the most important tool for any Minecraft player. The right combination of enchantments can triple your damage output, multiply your loot, and make your sword last virtually forever.
To save XP, always combine books in pairs before applying to your sword. For example, combine Sharpness V + Fire Aspect II into one book, and Looting III + Unbreaking III into another. Then combine the resulting books. Finally apply to your sword. This best sword enchantments calculator does this optimization automatically.
The best all-purpose sword enchantments are: Sharpness V, Looting III, Unbreaking III, Mending, Fire Aspect II, and Sweeping Edge III. For PvP, swap Sharpness for Smite against undead players in some minigames.
You can put up to 7-8 enchantments on a sword in Minecraft Java Edition before hitting the "Too Expensive!" limit. With optimal ordering, a typical god sword has: Sharpness V, Looting III, Unbreaking III, Mending, Fire Aspect II, Knockback II, and Sweeping Edge III.
Use this calculator to find the optimal order. Generally, combine the most expensive books (like Sharpness V) in pairs first, then apply to the sword. Never apply books one by one directly to the sword.
No. Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive — you can only pick one. Sharpness is best for general use, Smite for dealing with undead mobs.
Both are essential. Unbreaking III triples the effective durability, while Mending repairs the sword using XP orbs. They work together perfectly — Unbreaking makes the sword last longer between repairs, Mending keeps it from breaking permanently.