# Best Enchantments in Minecraft for Every Item

_Published October 23, 2026 · Updated November 3, 2026_

The best enchantments for every item in Minecraft: swords, tools, armor, bows, tridents, maces and more, with the one decision that matters for each item.

The best enchantments in Minecraft depend on the item, but every item has a short, clear answer: a handful of enchantments that stack, plus at most one real either/or choice. This page lists the best enchantments for every item in one table, names the decision that matters for each, and links to the detailed guide when you want the reasoning.

Checked against Java 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.3 and Bedrock 1.19.1, 26.52, 26.60 on October 24, 2026.

## Best enchantments for every item

- **Sword** ([Best Sword Enchantments](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/best-sword-enchantments)): Sharpness V, Looting III, Sweeping Edge III (Java only), Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Sharpness, Smite or Bane of Arthropods (only one) [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9zd29yZCIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sic2hhcnBuZXNzIiw1XSxbImxvb3RpbmciLDNdLFsic3dlZXBpbmdfZWRnZSIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Axe** ([Ideal Axe](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-axe)): Sharpness V, Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Sharpness, Smite or Bane of Arthropods (only one) [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9heGUiLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbInNoYXJwbmVzcyIsNV0sWyJlZmZpY2llbmN5Iiw1XSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)
- **Pickaxe** ([Ideal Pickaxe](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-pickaxe)): Efficiency V, Fortune III or Silk Touch, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Fortune or Silk Touch [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9waWNrYXhlIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJlZmZpY2llbmN5Iiw1XSxbImZvcnR1bmUiLDNdLFsidW5icmVha2luZyIsM10sWyJtZW5kaW5nIiwxXV19)
- **Shovel** ([Ideal Shovel](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-shovel)): Efficiency V, Fortune III or Silk Touch, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Fortune or Silk Touch [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9zaG92ZWwiLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbImVmZmljaWVuY3kiLDVdLFsiZm9ydHVuZSIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Hoe** ([Ideal Hoe](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-hoe)): Efficiency V, Fortune III or Silk Touch, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Fortune or Silk Touch [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9ob2UiLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbImVmZmljaWVuY3kiLDVdLFsiZm9ydHVuZSIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Helmet** ([Ideal Helmet](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-helmet)): Protection IV, Respiration III, Aqua Affinity, Thorns III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Protection or one specific protection [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9oZWxtZXQiLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbInByb3RlY3Rpb24iLDRdLFsicmVzcGlyYXRpb24iLDNdLFsiYXF1YV9hZmZpbml0eSIsMV0sWyJ0aG9ybnMiLDNdLFsidW5icmVha2luZyIsM10sWyJtZW5kaW5nIiwxXV19)
- **Chestplate** ([Ideal Chestplate](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-chestplate)): Protection IV, Thorns III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Protection or one specific protection [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9jaGVzdHBsYXRlIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJwcm90ZWN0aW9uIiw0XSxbInRob3JucyIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Leggings** ([Ideal Leggings](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-leggings)): Protection IV, Swift Sneak III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Swift Sneak only exists as an Ancient City book [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9sZWdnaW5ncyIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sicHJvdGVjdGlvbiIsNF0sWyJzd2lmdF9zbmVhayIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Boots** ([Ideal Boots](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-boots)): Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Depth Strider III or Frost Walker II, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Depth Strider or Frost Walker [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9ib290cyIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sicHJvdGVjdGlvbiIsNF0sWyJmZWF0aGVyX2ZhbGxpbmciLDRdLFsiZGVwdGhfc3RyaWRlciIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Bow** ([Best Bow Enchantments](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/best-bow-enchantments)): Power V, Infinity or Mending, Unbreaking III (Flame and Punch optional). The one decision: Infinity or Mending [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiYm93IiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJwb3dlciIsNV0sWyJpbmZpbml0eSIsMV0sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXV19)
- **Crossbow** ([Ideal Crossbow](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-crossbow)): Quick Charge III, Multishot or Piercing IV, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Multishot or Piercing [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiY3Jvc3Nib3ciLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbInF1aWNrX2NoYXJnZSIsM10sWyJtdWx0aXNob3QiLDFdLFsidW5icmVha2luZyIsM10sWyJtZW5kaW5nIiwxXV19)
- **Trident** ([Ideal Trident](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-trident)): Impaling V, Riptide III or Loyalty III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Riptide or Loyalty (Channeling also excludes Riptide) [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoidHJpZGVudCIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1siaW1wYWxpbmciLDVdLFsicmlwdGlkZSIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Mace** ([Ideal Mace](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-mace)): Density V or Breach IV, Wind Burst III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Density or Breach [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoibWFjZSIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1siZGVuc2l0eSIsNV0sWyJ3aW5kX2J1cnN0IiwzXSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)
- **Spear** ([Best Spear Enchantments](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-spear)): Lunge III, Sharpness V, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: Sharpness, Smite or Bane of Arthropods (only one) [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9zcGVhciIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sibHVuZ2UiLDNdLFsic2hhcnBuZXNzIiw1XSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)
- **Fishing rod** ([Max Fishing Rod](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/max-fishing-rod)): Luck of the Sea III, Lure III, Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: None, everything stacks [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZmlzaGluZ19yb2QiLCJlIjpbXSwicCI6MCwibiI6IiIsInQiOltbImx1Y2tfb2ZfdGhlX3NlYSIsM10sWyJsdXJlIiwzXSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)
- **Shears** ([Ideal Shears](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-shears)): Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, Mending (Silk Touch on Bedrock only). The one decision: None [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoic2hlYXJzIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJlZmZpY2llbmN5Iiw1XSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)
- **Shield** ([Ideal Shield](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/ideal-shield)): Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: None, nothing else applies [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoic2hpZWxkIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)
- **Elytra** ([Where to Get Elytra](https://anvilcalc.com/guides/where-to-find-elytra)): Unbreaking III, Mending. The one decision: None. The only other enchantments it can take are Curse of Binding and Curse of Vanishing, which you normally skip. [Build in calculator](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZWx5dHJhIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)

**Sword**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_sword[enchantments={"minecraft:looting":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:sharpness":5,"minecraft:sweeping_edge":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_sword
/enchant @s looting 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s sharpness 5
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

Not in this edition, left out: sweeping_edge.

**Axe**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_axe[enchantments={"minecraft:efficiency":5,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:sharpness":5,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_axe
/enchant @s efficiency 5
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s sharpness 5
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Pickaxe**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_pickaxe[enchantments={"minecraft:efficiency":5,"minecraft:fortune":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_pickaxe
/enchant @s efficiency 5
/enchant @s fortune 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Shovel**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_shovel[enchantments={"minecraft:efficiency":5,"minecraft:fortune":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_shovel
/enchant @s efficiency 5
/enchant @s fortune 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Hoe**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_hoe[enchantments={"minecraft:efficiency":5,"minecraft:fortune":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_hoe
/enchant @s efficiency 5
/enchant @s fortune 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Helmet**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_helmet[enchantments={"minecraft:aqua_affinity":1,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:protection":4,"minecraft:respiration":3,"minecraft:thorns":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_helmet
/enchant @s aqua_affinity 1
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s protection 4
/enchant @s respiration 3
/enchant @s thorns 3
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Chestplate**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_chestplate[enchantments={"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:protection":4,"minecraft:thorns":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_chestplate
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s protection 4
/enchant @s thorns 3
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Leggings**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_leggings[enchantments={"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:protection":4,"minecraft:swift_sneak":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_leggings
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s protection 4
/enchant @s swift_sneak 3
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Boots**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_boots[enchantments={"minecraft:depth_strider":3,"minecraft:feather_falling":4,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:protection":4,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_boots
/enchant @s depth_strider 3
/enchant @s feather_falling 4
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s protection 4
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Bow**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:bow[enchantments={"minecraft:infinity":1,"minecraft:power":5,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s bow
/enchant @s infinity 1
/enchant @s power 5
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Crossbow**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:crossbow[enchantments={"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:multishot":1,"minecraft:quick_charge":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s crossbow
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s multishot 1
/enchant @s quick_charge 3
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Trident**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:trident[enchantments={"minecraft:impaling":5,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:riptide":3,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s trident
/enchant @s impaling 5
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s riptide 3
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Mace**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:mace[enchantments={"minecraft:density":5,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3,"minecraft:wind_burst":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s mace
/enchant @s density 5
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
/enchant @s wind_burst 3
```

**Spear**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:diamond_spear[enchantments={"minecraft:lunge":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:sharpness":5,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s diamond_spear
/enchant @s lunge 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s sharpness 5
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Fishing rod**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:fishing_rod[enchantments={"minecraft:luck_of_the_sea":3,"minecraft:lure":3,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s fishing_rod
/enchant @s luck_of_the_sea 3
/enchant @s lure 3
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Shears**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:shears[enchantments={"minecraft:efficiency":5,"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s shears
/enchant @s efficiency 5
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Shield**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:shield[enchantments={"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s shield
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

**Elytra**

**Give this build in-game**

Java 26.3:

```
/give @s minecraft:elytra[enchantments={"minecraft:mending":1,"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]
```

Bedrock 26.60:

```
/give @s elytra
/enchant @s mending 1
/enchant @s unbreaking 3
```

Armor has its own comparison with the per-piece variants: see [Best Armor Enchantments](/guides/best-armor-enchantments).

## Unbreaking and Mending: the two that go on almost everything

Unbreaking and Mending appear in every row above. On tools and weapons, Unbreaking I, II and III give a 50%, 66.7% or 75% chance that a use costs no durability (items last 2, 3 or 4 times as long on average). On armor the effect is much weaker: each durability hit has only a 20%, 26.7% or 30% chance of being ignored. Mending repairs the item with experience at 2 durability per XP point, and it works on whatever you hold or wear, so it carries most of the load on armor. The only place Mending is not free is the bow, where it excludes Infinity.

## The decisions that matter

Almost every item has no conflicts at all. The exceptions are small groups where the game allows only one enchantment per item:

- **Damage type:** Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods (on a mace also Density and Breach). See [Sharpness vs Smite vs Bane of Arthropods](/guides/sharpness-vs-smite-vs-bane-of-arthropods).
- **Protection:** Protection, Fire Protection, Blast Protection and Projectile Protection exclude each other on the same piece, but different pieces can carry different ones.
- **Mining:** Fortune or Silk Touch. See [Fortune vs Silk Touch](/guides/fortune-vs-silk-touch).
- **Boots:** Depth Strider or Frost Walker. See [Frost Walker vs Depth Strider](/guides/frost-walker-vs-depth-strider).
- **Bow:** Infinity or Mending.
- **Crossbow:** Multishot or Piercing.
- **Trident:** Riptide excludes both Loyalty and Channeling.

In the anvil, a conflicting enchantment is not carried over when you merge (it is dropped, with a small penalty), so pick one per group before you build.

## Java and Bedrock differences that change the answer

- **Sweeping Edge** exists only in Java Edition, so the sword build loses that slot on Bedrock.
- **Silk Touch on shears** exists only in Bedrock Edition.
- **Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods damage** is calculated differently: Bedrock rounds the bonus down, so Sharpness V adds +3 damage in Java and +6 in Bedrock (6.25 before Bedrock rounds down, per the [Minecraft Wiki](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Sharpness)). The sword guide has the full numbers.

Everything else in the table is the same on both editions.

## Build any of these in the calculator

Each button opens the calculator with the build already filled in, and it works out the cheapest combine order and the XP cost for Java or Bedrock.

[Build the God Sword →](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9zd29yZCIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sic2hhcnBuZXNzIiw1XSxbImxvb3RpbmciLDNdLFsic3dlZXBpbmdfZWRnZSIsM10sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXSxbIm1lbmRpbmciLDFdXX0)

[Build the Fortune Pick →](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9waWNrYXhlIiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJlZmZpY2llbmN5Iiw1XSxbImZvcnR1bmUiLDNdLFsidW5icmVha2luZyIsM10sWyJtZW5kaW5nIiwxXV19)

[Build the Infinity Bow →](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiYm93IiwiZSI6W10sInAiOjAsIm4iOiIiLCJ0IjpbWyJwb3dlciIsNV0sWyJpbmZpbml0eSIsMV0sWyJ1bmJyZWFraW5nIiwzXV19)

A spear can also carry Fire Aspect II, Knockback II and Looting III on top of its build. The God Spear button loads all seven (see [Best Spear Enchantments](/guides/ideal-spear) for what each one costs and adds).

[Build the God Spear →](https://anvilcalc.com/#eyJpIjoiZGlhbW9uZF9zcGVhciIsImUiOltdLCJwIjowLCJuIjoiIiwidCI6W1sic2hhcnBuZXNzIiw1XSxbImx1bmdlIiwzXSxbImZpcmVfYXNwZWN0IiwyXSxbImtub2NrYmFjayIsMl0sWyJsb290aW5nIiwzXSxbInVuYnJlYWtpbmciLDNdLFsibWVuZGluZyIsMV1dfQ)

For the full list of 43 enchantments with their own reference pages, see [All Minecraft Enchantments](/guides/all-minecraft-enchantments). For the anvil rules behind the costs, see [Enchanting Strategy](/guides/enchanting-strategy).

## Frequently asked questions

**What are the best enchantments in Minecraft?**

It depends on the item, but the pattern is the same: the item's main enchantment at its top level (Sharpness V, Efficiency V, Protection IV, Power V), its specialist ones, then Unbreaking III and Mending. The table at the top of this page lists the best build for 18 items.

**What is the best enchantment overall?**

Mending and Unbreaking are the closest thing to a universal answer, because they fit almost every tool, weapon and armor piece. Mending repairs the item with experience, and Unbreaking makes each use less likely to cost durability. The one exception is the bow, where Mending cannot be combined with Infinity.

**Which enchantments cannot be combined?**

Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods (plus Density and Breach on a mace); Protection, Fire Protection, Blast Protection and Projectile Protection on the same armor piece; Fortune and Silk Touch; Depth Strider and Frost Walker; Infinity and Mending; Multishot and Piercing; and Riptide with Loyalty or Channeling.

**Are the best enchantments the same in Java and Bedrock Edition?**

Almost. Sweeping Edge exists only in Java, Silk Touch on shears exists only in Bedrock, and the damage bonus of Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods is rounded down in Bedrock (Sharpness V adds +3 damage in Java and +6 in Bedrock, which is 6.25 before Bedrock rounds down, per the Minecraft Wiki's Sharpness page). Every other best build in the table is the same on both.

**What are the best enchantments for a pickaxe?**

Efficiency V, Unbreaking III and Mending, plus either Fortune III or Silk Touch. Fortune and Silk Touch cannot share a pickaxe, so most players keep one of each: Fortune for ore and gems, Silk Touch for blocks you want to pick up whole.

**What are the best enchantments for armor?**

Protection IV on every piece, plus Unbreaking III and Mending, then the piece-specific ones: Respiration III and Aqua Affinity on the helmet, Swift Sneak III on the leggings, Feather Falling IV and Depth Strider III or Frost Walker II on the boots. Thorns III is optional on any piece.

**Does the order I add enchantments matter?**

Not for which enchantments you end up with, but it matters a lot for cost, because every anvil use makes the next one more expensive (the prior-work penalty). The calculator finds the cheapest order for your exact build. See the Enchanting Strategy guide for how the penalty works.