Minecraft enchantments can completely change how your weapons work, and Piercing is one of the most underrated but powerful crossbow enchantments in the game. Introduced in Minecraft 1.14, Piercing allows a single arrow to punch through multiple enemies — making it perfect for mob battles, raids, and tight spaces.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- What does Piercing actually do?
- How many entities can it pass through?
- How do you get it and use it effectively?
- Is it better than Multishot?
This guide covers everything about Piercing, updated for both Java and Bedrock editions.
What Is Piercing in Minecraft? (Full Explanation)
Piercing is a crossbow-exclusive enchantment that allows arrows to travel through multiple entities in a straight line.
What Piercing does:
- Allows a single arrow to hit multiple mobs or players.
- Lets arrows bypass shields, even in PvP.
- Allows arrows to be picked up and reused, increasing efficiency.
- Works in both Java Edition (1.14+) and Bedrock Edition (1.8.0+).
Piercing Enchantment Levels
| Level | Number of Entities Pierced |
| Piercing I | 2 entities |
| Piercing II | 3 entities |
| Piercing III | 4 entities |
| Piercing IV | 5 entities |
Formula:
Entities hit = Level + 1
Piercing IV is the maximum level in Minecraft.
How to Get Piercing in Minecraft (3 Methods)
You can obtain Piercing using three different methods:
1. Command (Fastest Method)
For creative mode or testing:
/enchant @p piercing 4Replace the number with the Piercing level (1–4).
2. Enchantment Table
To get Piercing from an enchantment table:
- Place the Enchantment Table.
- Surround it with 15 bookshelves for best enchantments.
- Add: Crossbow Lapis Lazuli
- Choose the Piercing enchantment when it appears in the right slot.
Tip: Piercing appears more often than Multishot in enchantment tables.
3. Anvil + Enchanted Book
You can combine:
- Crossbow
- Piercing Enchantment Book
This is the most flexible method and guarantees success if the book already has Piercing.
Books can be found in:
- Chests
- Villager trades
- Fishing loot (Java only)
- Strongholds
- Pillager drops (rare)
How to Use Piercing in Minecraft (Guide for Beginners)
- Line up enemies in a straight line.
- Hold the enchanted crossbow.
- Charge and shoot.
- The arrow will hit enemy #1, pass through them, then continue hitting others.
- Pick up your arrow afterward (unless fired with Multishot).
This enchantment is perfect for:
- Corridors
- Tunnels
- Raids
- Mob farms
- Narrow caves
Best Uses of Piercing Enchantment (2025 List)
1. Killing Multiple Mobs Efficiently
Great for:
- Zombies
- Skeletons
- Phantoms
- Endermen (if you’re careful)
- Pillagers
- Animals in farms
Instead of wasting arrows, one shot can clear several enemies.
2. Saving Arrows (Infinite Reuse)
Piercing crossbow arrows can be picked up indefinitely — making it perfect for:
- Long survival worlds
- Hardcore mode
- Early game resource management
Even a single arrow can last you hours.
3. Piercing Through Shields (PvP Advantage)
One of Piercing’s strongest mechanics:
✔ Arrows with Piercing bypass shields entirely.
This is important in PvP because even shielded players cannot block your shot.
4. Pillager and Ravager Battles
During raids:
- Shoot through groups of pillagers
- Hit Ravagers efficiently
- Save ammo
- Clear waves faster
Piercing is often considered the #1 enchantment for raid defense.
5. Achievements (Java Edition)
To unlock:
“Two Birds, One Arrow” Achievement
Piercing makes this easy.
Just line up two phantoms (or more) and shoot once.
Piercing vs. Multishot — Can You Use Both?
Piercing and Multishot are incompatible enchantments.
You must choose one:
| Enchantment | Strength | Weakness |
| Piercing | Hits many mobs in a line | One arrow only |
| Multishot | Shoots 3 arrows at once | Uses more durability; no infinite arrows |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Piercing for survival efficiency, raids, and mob farms.
- Choose Multishot for fast crowd damage, fireworks, and PvP spam.
Piercing tends to be more practical for long-term survival.
What Piercing Can Pass Through (Complete List)
Entities:
- All mobs
- Players
- Animals
- Phantoms
- Birds (parrots, chickens)
Other mechanics:
- Shields (bypasses them completely)
Piercing does NOT work on:
- Blocks
- Firework rockets (no increased damage)
- Multishot arrows
How Much Damage Does Piercing Do?
Piercing does not increase damage directly.
Instead, it increases penetration of multiple entities.
Damage is based on:
- Crossbow type
- Critical hits
- Firework rockets (not affected by Piercing)
- Strength of the shot
However, the practical result is higher total damage output because you’re hitting more enemies per shot.
FAQs — Piercing Enchantment (Updated 2025)
Can Piercing be used on a bow?
No. Piercing is crossbow-exclusive in all Minecraft versions.
Is Piercing compatible with Multishot?
No. They are mutually exclusive.
Does Piercing work on shields?
Yes! Piercing arrows go through shields, making it strong for PvP.
What is Piercing compatible with?
Compatible enchantments include:
- Quick Charge
- Unbreaking
- Mending
- Curse of Vanishing
Does Piercing increase damage?
No. It only increases the number of entities hit.
Does Piercing work in Bedrock Edition?
Yes — works the same as Java (levels I to IV).
Final Thoughts — Is Piercing Worth It?
Absolutely.
For players looking to maximize efficiency, crowd control, and ammo conservation, Piercing IV is one of the best crossbow enchantments in Minecraft.
Whether you are defending a village from pillagers or clearing mobs in tight caves, Piercing offers:
- High utility
- Reusable arrows
- PvP advantages
- Raid efficiency
- Achievement unlocks
It’s a powerful, underrated enchantment that becomes essential once you learn how to use it strategically.
