Understand Multishot
Useful when…
- Spread a crossbow shot across targets or a wider area.
- Fire duplicated tipped or spectral arrows, or firework rockets, from a crossbow.
Projectile pattern and ammunition
At level I, Multishot fires three arrows total, with the additional arrows spread 10° apart horizontally. It consumes one arrow, and only the central arrow can be collected afterward. Tipped and spectral arrows, as well as firework rockets, are duplicated in the same manner.
Damage and durability
In Java Edition, damage immunity means only one arrow from the same shot can damage a given mob; other arrows that hit it are deflected. The crossbow uses one durability point for each projectile shot, so a three-projectile shot costs three durability points.
Levels and compatibility
Multishot has a maximum level of I. It is mutually exclusive with Piercing through ordinary means. If both are combined using commands or glitches, both function, and the additional arrows can pierce. Commands or an anvil in Creative mode can also apply Multishot to a bow, though its supported item is the crossbow.
Anvil combining multipliers
The anvil book multiplier is 2 and the item multiplier is 4. These are combining multipliers; the reference does not give a full experience cost.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- The spread can send projectiles in different directions, while each projectile uses one durability point.
- In Java Edition, the arrows from one shot cannot all damage the same mob.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting all three arrows from one shot to damage the same mob in Java Edition.
- Assuming three arrows are consumed, or overlooking that each projectile uses durability.
- Expecting Multishot and Piercing to combine through ordinary means.