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Enchanting explained: get the gear you actually want

Enchanting feels random until you know how it works. Here is how to get level 30 enchants every time, and how to combine the perfect gear.

Minecraft screenshot: Enchanting explained: get the gear you actually want

Get to level 30 enchants

Place 15 bookshelves around your enchanting table with a one-block air gap. That unlocks the level 30 option, which gives the best enchantments.

Enchanting table surrounded by bookshelves
Bookshelves must be at the same level as the table or one block higher.

Enchantments that cannot be combined

Pick one ofItem
Sharpness, Smite, Bane of ArthropodsSword, axe
Protection, Fire, Blast, Projectile ProtectionArmor
Silk Touch or FortuneTools
Mending or InfinityBow

Enchantments the table never gives

Mending, Frost Walker, Soul Speed and Swift Sneak only come from loot, trading or fishing. The best way to get Mending is from a librarian villager.

Using the anvil

  • Every time you use an item in an anvil, the next use gets more expensive.
  • In survival, anything that would cost 40 levels or more shows Too Expensive!
  • Combine books with each other first, then put the finished book on your tool once.
  • A grindstone removes enchantments (except curses) and gives you some XP back.
Enchanting calculatorGet Mending from villagers

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