Understand Bane of Arthropods
Useful when…
- Fighting groups of spiders or silverfish
- Preparing a dedicated weapon for arthropod mobs
What the enchantment does
Each level adds 2.5 damage points against affected mobs, for up to 12.5 at level V. A direct hit on an affected target also applies Slowness IV for 1.5 seconds at level I, with the maximum duration increasing by 0.5 seconds per level to 3.5 seconds at level V. The damage bonus scales with the enchantment level; it does not apply to unrelated enemies.
Weapons and investment
It applies to swords, axes, spears, and the mace. The supplied mechanics describe Java behavior; in particular, a Java offhand spear charge attack does not receive the bonus. Level V is the maximum, but a specialized weapon is most useful if arthropods are a recurring target in your plans.
Limits and incompatibilities
Bane of Arthropods cannot normally share a weapon with Sharpness, Smite, Density, Breach, or Impaling. That makes it a targeted choice rather than a general-purpose damage enchantment. Do not expect its bonus or Slowness effect against mobs outside the affected group.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Its added damage and slowing effect are restricted to five arthropod mob types.
- Choosing it excludes several other damage enchantments.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting the damage bonus to work against ordinary mobs.
- Combining it with an enchantment from its mutually exclusive damage group.