Minecraft now offers a wide range of weapons to fend off attackers, whether monsters or other players. While most people stick to a sword, shield or axe, you shouldn’t overlook the many ranged options. And it’s not just the trusty bow—there are several other ways to make the most of the distance between you and your target. From the powerful crossbow to the deadly trident, you have plenty of tools to support you in combat. We’ll take a closer look at each, 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 you can either craft yourself, trade for from a Fletcher, or obtain as drops from skeletons. They can also appear as loot in Trial Chambers and even be fished up as treasure, often already enchanted.
To attack with a bow, you need at least one arrow in your inventory. It will be used automatically. Equip the bow and hold the mouse button to draw it. The longer you draw, the more damage you deal. At full draw, a normal arrow deals 3 to 5 hearts of damage. The farther you shoot, the more you’ll need to account for arrow drop. Keep the projectile trajectory in mind to land hits at long range.
Like all other weapons and tools, the bow can be improved with enchantments. Some unique enchantments are exclusive to bows.
All bow enchantments:
- Power: Increases overall bow damage up to level 5. With one shot you can deal up to 12.5 hearts of damage.
- Punch: Increases knockback on hit.
- Flame: Sets targets on fire.
- Infinity: You only need one arrow in your inventory, but can shoot indefinitely. Incompatible with Mending.
- Unbreaking: The bow breaks more slowly.
- Mending: The bow repairs itself with XP. Incompatible with Infinity.
Another upgrade for the bow is tipped arrows, which many players overlook or forget. These are arrows infused with potion status effects. Craft them with 8 arrows and the corresponding lingering potion. You can use any effect, creating a varied and exciting arsenal of arrows. Effects like Slowness or Weakness are very practical. Remember, undead mobs such as zombies should be hit with positive status effects, for example Instant Health or Regeneration.
There are a few exceptions you cannot hit with the bow. The Enderman will teleport 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. And the Ender Dragon becomes immune to arrows while perched on the central portal. In all these situations, you’ll still need a melee weapon like a sword or an axe.
Minecraft Crossbow: Quick Charge, Multishot and Rocket Damage
Added in update 1.14, the crossbow is another ranged weapon you should definitely try. It’s stronger than the bow and can shoot farther, but you must reload manually. This generally makes it slower, but also more destructive.
You can craft a crossbow yourself, or find one in various chests and structures, including Bastion Remnants in the Nether or Pillager Outposts. The Fletcher can also trade it to you, and Pillagers or Piglins may drop it.
Of course, there are enchantments for the crossbow as well. These can be extremely powerful 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 reload time in three levels.
- Multishot: Fires three arrows or rockets at once. Incompatible with Piercing.
- Piercing: Can bypass shields or pass through multiple enemies—up to five targets. Incompatible with Multishot.
- Unbreaking: The crossbow breaks more slowly.
- Mending: The crossbow repairs itself with XP.
Pre-loading a crossbow with an arrow (including tipped arrows) can be used tactically. Your crossbow is ready the moment you enter combat. Standard arrows deal 3.5 to 5.5 hearts of damage. As alternative ammo, you can also use firework rockets, which can deal heavy damage. Basic 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 multiple ways. You can attack with it in melee, but also throw it. It’s very rare but can appear in Trial Chambers as a reward, and it can be dropped by Drowned.
You can charge and throw a trident, similar to a bow. Its damage does not vary with charge; it always deals four hearts of damage (without enchantments). However, once thrown, you must retrieve it. This is where the Loyalty enchantment comes in: it makes the trident return to you, turning it into a true reusable ranged weapon.
All trident enchantments:
- Loyalty: The trident returns to you after being thrown. Incompatible with Riptide.
- Channeling: During thunderstorms, you can summon lightning on hit. Incompatible with Riptide.
- Riptide: The trident can no longer be thrown normally; instead, you propel yourself through water and rain.
- Impaling: Deals extra damage to aquatic mobs, up to 10 hearts.
- Unbreaking: The trident breaks more slowly.
- Mending: The trident repairs itself with XP.
If you want to switch things up and surprise your opponent, the trident is a great option. Beyond Loyalty, it’s incredible during thunderstorms and can deal serious damage.
Conclusion: Mastering ranged combat in Minecraft
Ranged combat is a key strategy whether you’re fighting mobs or other players. Don’t rely solely on the bow—both the crossbow and the trident are valid options that keep fights fresh and varied. And don’t forget tipped arrows or firework rockets as alternative ammo to catch your enemies 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 there to see who’s the best at ranged combat.
