Minecraft Enchantment Order Calculator
Find the optimal enchantment order to minimize XP costs and avoid the "Too Expensive" anvil limit. Calculate the best sequence for combining books and enchanting your gear.
Quick Presets - Best Enchantment Builds
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Anvil Cost Summary
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Available Enchantments for Sword
XP Level Reference Chart
Anvil operations are capped at 39 levels in Survival mode. Beyond that shows "Too Expensive".
Complete Guide to Minecraft Enchanting & Anvil Mechanics
How the Anvil Works
The anvil combines enchantments and repairs items, but has a level cap of 39 in Survival mode. Each anvil operation increases an item's "Prior Work Penalty" (PWP), making future enchantments progressively more expensive.
The penalty formula is 2^PWP - 1 levels. A fresh item starts at PWP 0 (no penalty). After one use it's PWP 1 (+1 level), PWP 2 adds +3 levels, PWP 3 adds +7 levels, and so on exponentially.
Why Enchantment Order Matters
The order in which you combine enchanted books and apply them to items dramatically affects total XP cost. By combining books together first (keeping the item at PWP 0), then applying one combined book, you minimize the item's penalty accumulation.
Our calculator finds the optimal sequence to minimize total levels spent and ensure no single step exceeds the 39-level limit.
Treasure Enchantments
Some enchantments cannot be obtained from an enchanting table - they're "treasure" enchantments found only through fishing, chest loot, raid drops, or villager trading.
- • Mending - Repairs with XP
- • Frost Walker - Walk on water
- • Soul Speed - Fast on soul sand
- • Swift Sneak - Sneak faster
Best Enchantments for Swords
A "god sword" in Minecraft typically includes: Sharpness V (or Smite V for undead), Sweeping Edge III, Looting III, Fire Aspect II, Knockback II, Unbreaking III, and Mending.
Note: Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive - you can only have one damage enchantment.
Best Enchantments for Pickaxes
Most players want two pickaxes: one with Fortune III (for ores like diamonds, coal, lapis) and one with Silk Touch (for collecting ore blocks, glass, grass blocks).
Both should have Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, and Mending for maximum mining speed and durability.
Best Enchantments for Armor
Protection IV is generally the best choice for all armor pieces, providing 16% damage reduction per piece (64% with full set). Fire/Blast/Projectile Protection are situational.
Don't forget: Feather Falling IV on boots, Respiration III and Aqua Affinity on helmet, and Swift Sneak III on leggings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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