Minecraft now offers a wide range of weapons to defend yourself against attackers, whether monsters or other players. While most will make do with a sword, shield or axe, you shouldn’t overlook the many ranged options. And it’s not just the trusty bow at your side — there are plenty of other ways to make the most of the distance between you and your target. From the powerful crossbow to the deadly trident, there are many options to support you in battle. We’ll take a closer look at these, how to use them best, and which underrated features you shouldn’t miss.
Minecraft Bow Guide: Crafting, Enchantments and Tipped Arrows
Bows are a classic ranged weapon that you can either craft yourself, trade from a Fletcher, or obtain as drops from skeletons. They can also generate as loot in Trial Chambers and be fished up as treasure, often already enchanted.
To attack with a bow you need at least one arrow in your inventory, which will be used automatically. Equip the bow and hold down the mouse button to draw it; the longer you draw, the more damage you deal. When the bow is fully drawn, a standard arrow deals 3 to 5 hearts of damage. The farther you shoot, the more you’ll need to compensate your aim. Keep the arrow’s trajectory in mind to hit targets at long range.
As with other weapons and tools, you can improve the bow with enchantments. There are several unique enchantments that can only be applied to bows.
All bow enchantments:
- Power: Increases your bow’s damage, up to level V. With a single shot you can deal up to 12.5 hearts of damage.
- Punch: Knocks enemies further back on hit.
- Flame: Sets struck targets on fire.
- Infinity: You need only one arrow in your inventory, but can shoot infinitely. Not compatible with Mending.
- Unbreaking: Bow loses durability more slowly.
- Mending: Bow is repaired by XP. Not compatible with Infinity.
Another modification for the bow is tipped arrows, which many players overlook or forget. These are arrows imbued with potion status effects. Craft them with 8 arrows and the corresponding Lingering Potion. You can use any effect, giving you a varied and exciting arsenal of arrows. Effects like Slowness or Weakness are very practical. Note that undead mobs such as zombies must be hit with positive status effects, for example Potions of Healing or Regeneration.
There are some exceptions you can’t hit with a bow. This includes the Enderman, which teleports away as soon as you try to shoot it. A Breeze from Trial Chambers also can’t be hit. You can only attack the Wither with a bow during its first phase. The Ender Dragon becomes immune to arrows as soon as it perches on the central podium. For all these situations you’ll still need a melee weapon, such as a sword or an axe.
Minecraft Crossbow: Quick Charge, Multishot and Rocket Damage
Added in the 1.14 update, the crossbow is another ranged weapon you should definitely try. It is stronger than the bow and can shoot farther, but you must reload each shot manually. This makes the crossbow slower overall, but more destructive.
You can craft a crossbow yourself, or find one in various chests and structures, including bastions in the Nether or Pillager outposts. The Fletcher can also trade one to you, or you might get one as a drop from a Pillager or a Piglin.
Naturally, there are enchantments for the crossbow as well. These can be extremely strong when used in the right situations. As with the bow, some are incompatible, so you’ll need to pick a playstyle.
All crossbow enchantments:
- Quick Charge: Reduces the crossbow’s reload time across three levels.
- Multishot: Fires three arrows or rockets at once. Not compatible with Piercing.
- Piercing: Can bypass shields or pass through multiple enemies — up to five targets. Not compatible with Multishot.
- Unbreaking: The crossbow loses durability more slowly.
- Mending: The crossbow is repaired by XP.
Pre-loading the crossbow with an arrow (including tipped arrows) can be used tactically, so it’s ready the moment you enter a fight. Normal arrows deal 3.5 to 5.5 hearts of damage. As an alternative ammunition type, you can also use firework rockets, which can deal significant damage. Simple rockets aren’t enough; you must craft them with firework stars. A rocket can contain up to 7 stars, dealing 5.5 to 9 hearts of damage.
Minecraft Trident: Loyalty, Channeling and Riptide explained
The trident is one of Minecraft’s most unusual weapons and can be used in different ways. You can attack normally in melee, but you can also throw it. It is very rarely found in Trial Chambers as a reward, and can also be dropped by Drowned.
You can charge and throw a trident, similar to a bow. There’s no damage variance — you always deal four hearts of damage (without enchantments). However, once thrown, you must pick it up again. This is where the Loyalty enchantment comes in: the trident returns to your inventory. That makes it a true ranged weapon you can use repeatedly.
All trident enchantments:
- Loyalty: The trident returns to you after you throw it. Not compatible with Riptide.
- Channeling: During a thunderstorm, you can summon a lightning strike. Not compatible with Riptide.
- Riptide: The trident can no longer be thrown normally; instead you can launch yourself through water and rain.
- Impaling: Deals more damage to aquatic mobs, up to 10 hearts.
- Unbreaking: The trident loses durability more slowly.
- Mending: The trident is repaired by XP.
If you fancy a change of pace and want to surprise your opponent, the trident might be a great option. Beyond Loyalty, it’s unrivalled during thunderstorms and can deal hefty damage.
Conclusion: Master ranged combat in Minecraft
Ranged combat is a vital strategy, whether you’re fighting monsters or other players. Don’t rely solely on the bow, as the crossbow and trident are both valid options that make fights more varied. And don’t forget tipped arrows or firework rockets as alternative ammunition to catch your opponents off guard.
Rent your own Minecraft server from us and try out some of these combat techniques. For example, you could build an arena and test every weapon to see who’s the best at ranged combat.
