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Minecraft Sharpness Enchantment — Extra Damage Explained

Sharpness adds flat melee damage to a sword or axe, and it applies to every mob in the game. That universality is why it is the default damage enchantment — no other damage enchantment covers as many situations.

How much damage it adds

Each Sharpness level adds roughly 0.5 to 1.25 bonus damage depending on the weapon and version; Sharpness V on a netherite sword substantially raises the hit count needed for common mobs. It applies to swords, axes and (in newer versions) the mace's base attack.

Sharpness vs Smite vs Bane of Arthropods

The three are mutually exclusive. Smite adds a large bonus specifically against undead (zombies, skeletons, wither) and Bane of Arthropods against spiders and other arthropods; each is stronger than Sharpness for its target but useless elsewhere. Sharpness is the generalist — carry it unless you are farming one specific mob type.

  • Sharpness — all mobs, the default
  • Smite — undead only, very strong there
  • Bane of Arthropods — spiders, silverfish, endermites

The standard sword

The usual 'god sword' is Sharpness V, Looting III, Sweeping Edge III (Java), Unbreaking III and Mending. Sharpness and Looting do not conflict, so the mob-farming and damage roles combine on one blade.

FAQ

What is the max Sharpness level?
Sharpness V in vanilla survival. It is available from the enchanting table and from librarian trades, and combining two Sharpness IV books also yields V.
Does Sharpness work on axes?
Yes, Sharpness can go on axes and adds to their (already higher) melee damage, making a Sharpness V axe a strong weapon as well as a tool.
Is Smite better than Sharpness?
Only against undead. Smite V does more to zombies, skeletons and the wither than Sharpness V, but nothing to other mobs. For general play Sharpness wins.
Can I have Sharpness and Smite together?
No, the three damage enchantments conflict on one weapon.
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