10 Best Sword Enchantments for Minecraft 1.20

With the bustle of the Minecraft 1.20 servers, it's essential to stay prepared for both players and dangerous mobs. Even having a diamond sword won't guarantee your safety. To thrive, you must upgrade your weapons with the best sword enchantments for Minecraft 1.20. So, get ready to face the dangers head-on and fortify your sword!

Best Sword Enchantments for Minecraft 1.20

Our list covers all the sword enchantments in Minecraft 1.20. It provides details on their maximum level, source, effects, and descriptions. But, the list isn't ranked in any way. So, please feel free to explore all of them at your convenience.

1. Sharpness

Effect: Increases melee damage
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 5

As the name suggests, the Sharpness enchantment makes your swords sharper, resulting in higher melee damage. At its maximum level, a Netherite sword can deal a whopping 15 points of damage, nearly double its base damage of 8. This means you can easily one-hit kill even the most hostile mobs in the game.

However, it's worth noting that the Sharpness enchantment also works with axes, dealing similar damage with a faster attack speed. So, on the best Minecraft SMP servers, the axe might be a better choice. But, you cannot use this enchantment with Smite and Bane of Arthropods enchantments.

2. Mending in Best Sword Enchantments for Minecraft 1.20

Effect: Restores the durability by consuming experience orbs
Source: Enchanted Book
Max Level: 1

One of the biggest combat nightmares in the game is breaking your sword during a fight. The Mending Enchantment in Minecraft fixes it entirely. It allows you to repair your sword while using it by collecting experience orbs dropped by mobs upon their death.

You can also get XP by doing a variety of other actions including breeding, mining Minecraft ores, and more. With Mending active, you no longer need to worry about repairing your sword or managing its durability, making it a valuable addition to any battle.

3. Knockback

Effect: Increases the amount of knockback
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 2

Knockback is one of the best sword enchantments for Minecraft 1.20 and is a lifesaver when facing swarms of hostile mobs. It significantly increases the amount of push your enemies receive on getting hit. At its highest, you can throw your opponents up to 6 blocks away.

Though, keep in mind that Wardens, and squids (outside water) are unaffected by it. However, even with this limitation, Knockback is great for exploring crowded structures like Woodland Mansions and more.

4. Smite

Effect: Increases damage dealt to undead mobs
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 5

The Smite enchantment in Minecraft is similar to Sharpness but only increases the damage you deal to undead hostile mobs. With it, you can deal a maximum of 26 points of damage on the Bedrock edition and 24.5 points on the Java edition with a single hit.

Undead mobs affected by Smite include Drowned, Husks, Phantoms, Skeleton Horses, Skeletons, Strays, Wither Skeletons, Withers, Zombified Piglins, Zombie Horses, Zombie Villagers, Zombies, and Zoglins. Not to forget, you cannot combine it with Sharpness and Bane of Arthropods enchantments.

5. Fire Aspect in Best Sword Enchantments for Minecraft 1.20

Effect: Sets your target on fire
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 2

This is easily the collect option among all the best sword enchantments for Minecraft 1.20. When you strike enemies with a Fire Aspect sword, it sets them on fire, causing significant damage. At the highest level, the fire burns for 4 seconds, dealing 7 points of damage.

However, all Nether mobs except Piglins, Piglin Brutes, and Hoglines are immune from this effect. Even the powerful Warden is immune to it. Though, killing isn't the only purpose of this enchantment.

On the Bedrock edition, you can also use Fire Aspect to light unlit candles, campfires and even activate TNT blocks.

6. Looting

Effect: Increases the amount of loot and chances of rare drops
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 3

The Looting enchantment is a must-have if you want to explore your world and gather valuable resources. When applied to your sword, it increases the number of items dropped by mobs when you defeat them, and it also improves the chances of rare loot drops.

You can use it to get the rare drops Tide Armor Trim which is dropped by the Guardians in Minecraft. But, it is worth noting that a bunch of mobs are also immune from the effects of looting. These include fish mobs, Snow Golems, cats, foxes, Iron Golems, and Withers.

7. Unbreaking

Effect: Allows your sword to avoid a reduction in its durability
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 3

Every time you use your sword in Minecraft, its durability decreases, and when it reaches its lowest point, the sword breaks and disappears. However, with Unbreaking, you have a chance to avoid this durability reduction.

At the highest level, Unbreaking provides a 30% chance of avoiding durability loss with each use. While this may not seem significant, it can actually extend your sword's lifetime by an average of 42%.

This makes Unbreaking one of the best sword enchantments in Minecraft during initial gameplay. At least, until you get your hands on the Mending enchantment.

8. Bane of Arthropods

Effect: Increases damage dealt to arthropod mobs
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 5

Similar to the Smite enchantment, the Bane of Arthropods only increases the damage you deal to arthropod mobs. The list includes spiders, cave spiders, bees, silverfish, and Endermites. However, you cannot combine it with Sharpness or Smite enchantments.

At its highest level, the Bane of Arthropods enchantment allows you to deal a maximum of 24.5 points of damage on the Java edition and 26 points on the Bedrock edition. This makes it extremely useful for exploring caves on the best Minecraft 1.20 lush cave seeds.

9. Sweeping Edge

Effect: Allows you to deal extra damage to multiple mobs at once
Source: Enchantment Table, Enchanted Book
Max Level: 3

Exclusive to the Java edition, Sweeping Edge is the most unique entry on the best sword enchantments for Minecraft 1.20 update. It enables you to deal strong damage to all mobs within a 3-block radius around you during a swing.

With Sweeping Edge, each enemy you touch receives increased damage compared to a regular attack. At its highest level, enemies take 75% of the original attack damage. You can combine it with other enchantments like Sharpness to increase the amount of damage even further.

10. Curse of Vanishing

Effect: Makes your sword disappear when you die
Source: Enchanted Book
Max Level: 1

While many people avoid it altogether, the Curse of Vanishing is a blessing in disguise on all the best Minecraft servers. It causes your sword to immediately disappear once you die. This prevents other players from looting your weapon and gaining an advantage over you.

However, as the name suggests, this enchantment can be a curse during survival gameplay. If you die, you won't be able to retrieve your sword, as it will vanish with you. Additionally, there's no way to remove this enchantment from your sword once it's applied. So, make sure to only use it when you are ready to give up your weapon.

What is the Best Enchantment for a Sword in Minecraft

Having the best sword enchantments in Minecraft 1.20 will make you a formidable swordsman, but your skills are equally important. You can jump on the best Minecraft PvP servers to test, improve, and showcase your skills. But, don't forget to get a shield or Netherite armor to improve your defenses. Furthermore, if you're eager to unlock exciting tips and tricks, our Discord server is the ideal place to begin. It's brimming with seasoned players who are more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise.