Combat is a crucial aspect of Minecraft, whether against monsters or other players on a server. The game offers you a colourful mix of various weapons with which you can prove yourself against your opponent. The Minecraft 1.21 version introduces a new weapon: the mace. It changes the gameplay and can even give you an advantage! That’s why today we want to take a closer look at all the weapons so you know exactly what means you can take into battle.
Melee Weapons in Minecraft: Which are the Strongest?
Minecraft Sword: The Best Melee Weapon?
The classic Minecraft sword is probably the weapon you will use most often. A Netherite sword is one of the best weapons and should always be in your inventory when you want to fight monsters. Its mechanics are easy to understand, and you’ll be able to use it quickly and effortlessly.
At the same time, you can enhance a sword with enchantments and make it even better! Different swords are good for different situations, but “Looting”, “Mending”, “Sharpness”, and “Sweeping Edge” should be on every sword. The cooldown for a sword swing is 0.6 seconds, so relatively fast.
Axe as a Weapon: Stronger than a Sword?
In contrast, the axe is gaining increasing popularity among players! It is slightly slower (with a 1.2 to 1 second cooldown) but deals significantly more damage per hit. With an enchanted Netherite axe, you can kill most regular opponents with one hit.
An axe has become a truly great alternative and is a legitimate weapon in Minecraft. Moreover, they can destroy shields, which is practical in PvP.
Trident as a Melee Weapon: How Strong is It?
A very special case is the trident, which can be used in both melee and ranged combat. But first, let’s look at its immediate attack. A regular trident is as strong as a diamond sword but slightly slower. However, this isn’t necessarily its strength, so we’ll take another look at the trident in the next segment.
Minecraft Mace: How Does the New Weapon Work?
The new mace is a really interesting weapon and can significantly change your gameplay. Alone, it deals only three hearts of damage and has a cooldown of 2 seconds. Not necessarily great, but the best part is yet to come!
The damage multiplies with the fall height. If you fall from above onto your opponents and strike, the mace has enormous piercing power! You literally deal fall damage, but you also take it yourself. This can make the weapon a bit tricky. However, in combination with gusts of wind and some enchantments like “Density” and “Piercing”, you can perform cool attacks.
Ranged Weapons in Minecraft: Bow, Crossbow & More
Bow
Besides a good sword, the bow is also part of your normal repertoire in Minecraft. It is a classic weapon that is easy to understand and gives you enough distance from your opponents. Charge your shot and aim precisely to get the best out of the bow. A bow with “Power” is essentially unbeatable!
At the same time, you can also experiment with other arrows and try out some of the different projectiles. Tipped arrows are often forgotten and can be a little secret weapon in your inventory, especially against other players.
Crossbow: Is It Worthwhile in Combat?
The crossbow is an intriguing case and a weapon not seen very often. It is primarily used by pillagers but can also be crafted. Its range is higher than that of a bow, and the damage is higher, but the reload time is longer. With “Quick Charge”, you can counteract this.
A fun feature is that you can fire fireworks with a crossbow. And once charged, shots don’t have to be fired immediately; you can save them for later. Whether to choose a bow or a crossbow depends more on your playstyle.
Trident as a Ranged Weapon: Is the Enchantment Worth It?
Here we are again with the trident, a truly underrated weapon in Minecraft! You should use it in ranged combat, but only with the “Loyalty” enchantment. Otherwise, it won’t return to you. Some cool features of the trident are, for example, the ability to generate lightning during thunderstorms with the “Channeling” enchantment. With “Riptide”, you can glide through water or rain. And “Impaling” increases damage against water creatures.
The only downside to a trident is its rarity. You can’t craft it but only obtain it through drowned or in the trial chambers.
Unusual Weapons in Minecraft: Potions, Explosions & More
Splash Potions & Lingering Potions as Weapons
Now let’s move on to some other “weapons” you might not always think of. First up are potions, as both splash potions (with gunpowder) and lingering potions (with dragon’s breath) can deal damage to other monsters or players and apply status effects.
The effects “Instant Damage” and “Poison” are probably your best uses, but things like “Slowness” or “Weakness” can also aid you in combat. In PvP, potions like these can surprise your opponent and bring them to their knees.
Snowballs & Eggs: Fun but Useless Weapons?
Both snowballs and eggs are intended more for fun. You can throw both, but they won’t deal damage. They are rather meant as a distraction or a fun action in between. Interestingly, snowballs can deal damage to Blazes, which would be a very amusing challenge!
Explosions
Explosions are, of course, also a valid way to deal damage. TNT is your best option, but there are other ways for large-scale explosive damage. In the Nether, beds are your best friend, but end crystals and respawn anchors also leave intense explosions and are thus an interesting weapon for Minecraft.
Lava
Finally, let’s look at lava, as a bucket full of it, and you have a really good weapon in your hands! Lava not only deals a lot of damage but also slows your opponents down. It is practically an upgrade to a flint and steel, which you can also use as a weapon. Strategically place the lava and block your opponent’s path.
In the Nether, lava is useless because almost all monsters are immune to it. And a potion of fire resistance also helps against it when fighting other players.
Here you can find all melee and ranged weapons in a direct comparison:
| Weapon | Damage (without enchantment) | Cooldown | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherite Sword | 8 (4 hearts) | 0.6 sec | Fast, effective, combinable with Sharpness or Looting |
| Diamond Axe | 10 (5 hearts) | 1 sec | Higher damage than a sword but slower |
| Trident | 9 (4.5 hearts) | 0.9 sec | Can be used in melee & ranged combat, rare to obtain |
| Mace | 6 (3 hearts) | 2 sec | Damage multiplies with fall height, synergizes with Gusts |
| Bow | Up to 9 (4.5 hearts) | 0.5 sec (charge time) | High range, many enchantments possible (Power, Flame, Infinity) |
| Crossbow | 9 (4.5 hearts) | 1.25 sec (reload) | Higher damage than the bow, can shoot fireworks |
| Splash Potion (Damage) | Variable (e.g., Instant Damage II: 6 hearts) | Immediate | Can give opponents status effects (poison, weakness, etc.) |
| TNT / Explosions | Variable (up to 50 hearts on direct contact) | - | Very strong area damage, but difficult to control |
| Lava | Variable (fire damage over time) | - | Slows down opponents and causes persistent damage |
Which Weapon is the Best in Minecraft?
- Best All-Round Weapon: Netherite Sword with “Sharpness V”
- Best Ranged Combat: Bow with “Power V” + “Infinity”
- Best PvP Weapon: Netherite Axe + Shield Breaker
- Best Surprise Weapon: Mace + Gusts
- Best Tactical Weapon: Lava Bucket + Potions
Conclusion: The Best Weapons in Minecraft at a Glance
Over the years, Minecraft has introduced a wide variety of weapons and defensive options that give you, as a player, great choices. Whether it’s the traditional sword, a trident, or unconventional potions – there’s the right equipment in the arsenal for everyone. Rent your own Minecraft server and compete against your friends! You can host various tournaments, play a classic survival map, or team up against the big bosses in Minecraft. With our guide, you’ll always have the right weapons at hand!
