When it comes to Minecraft enchantments, two of the most popular and sought-after are Smite and Sharpness. Both of these enchantments increase the damage dealt by weapons, but they differ in some key ways. In this article, we will explore the differences between Smite and Sharpness, and try to answer the question: which enchantment is better?
Smite
Smite is an enchantment that increases the damage dealt by swords and axes against undead mobs. This includes zombies, skeletons, wither skeletons, and zombie pigmen. The higher the level of Smite, the more damage the weapon will deal against these enemies. Smite has a maximum level of V, meaning it can be applied to a sword or axe up to five times. Here are the damage bonuses for each level of Smite:
– Smite I: +2.5 damage (1.25 hearts) per level
– Smite II: +5 damage (2.5 hearts) per level
– Smite III: +7.5 damage (3.75 hearts) per level
– Smite IV: +10 damage (5 hearts) per level
– Smite V: +12.5 damage (6.25 hearts) per level
Sharpness
Sharpness, on the other hand, is a more general enchantment that increases the damage of swords, axes, and some other weapons against all mobs. The higher the level of Sharpness, the more extra damage the weapon will deal. Sharpness also has a maximum level of V, which means it can be applied up to five times. Here are the damage bonuses for each level of Sharpness:
– Sharpness I: +1.25 damage (0.625 hearts) per level
– Sharpness II: +2.5 damage (1.25 hearts) per level
– Sharpness III: +3.75 damage (1.875 hearts) per level
– Sharpness IV: +5 damage (2.5 hearts) per level
– Sharpness V: +6.25 damage (3.125 hearts) per level
Differences between Smite and Sharpness
Now that we know what both Smite and Sharpness do, let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between the two enchantments.
Targeted Enemies
The biggest difference between the two enchantments is the type of enemy they are best suited for. Smite is specifically designed to deal extra damage against undead mobs, while Sharpness works against all mobs. If you are planning to fight a lot of undead enemies, such as in a skeleton spawner farm or the Nether, Smite will be more effective. On the other hand, if you are planning to fight a variety of mobs, including animals and monsters such as creepers and spiders, Sharpness will be more versatile.
Damage Bonus
Another key difference is the amount of extra damage provided by Smite and Sharpness. As we saw in the tables above, Smite provides more extra damage at each level than Sharpness. At Smite V, for example, you are getting an extra 12.5 damage per hit against undead mobs, while at Sharpness V, you are only getting an extra 6.25 damage per hit against all mobs. This means that if you are fighting a lot of undead mobs, Smite will be much more effective than Sharpness.
Enchantment Compatibility
One thing to keep in mind when deciding between Smite and Sharpness is that they are not compatible with each other. If you try to apply both enchantments to the same weapon, only one of them will work. This means that you need to choose one or the other, depending on your needs. If you already have a lot of Sharpness weapons and want to take on a stronghold or mob spawner, it might be worth enchanting a new weapon with Smite instead.
FAQs
Q: Should I use Smite or Sharpness on my sword or axe?
A: It depends on the enemies you will be fighting. If you are mostly fighting undead mobs, such as zombies and skeletons, Smite will be more effective. If you are fighting a variety of mobs, including animals and monsters like creepers and spiders, Sharpness will be more versatile.
Q: Can I use both Smite and Sharpness on the same weapon?
A: No, Smite and Sharpness are not compatible. You need to choose one or the other.
Q: Is it worth using Smite?
A: If you are fighting a lot of undead mobs, Smite can be very effective. However, if you are fighting a variety of mobs, Sharpness may be more versatile.
Q: How do I enchant my sword or axe with Smite or Sharpness?
A: You can enchant your weapon by placing it in an enchanting table, selecting the sword or axe, and clicking on the Smite or Sharpness enchantment. You can also enchant weapons with books or by using an anvil.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Smite and Sharpness are great enchantments, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. If you are planning to fight a lot of undead mobs, Smite will be more effective, while Sharpness will be more versatile against all mobs. Remember that they are not compatible, so you will need to choose one or the other for each weapon you enchant.