Piercing in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains the Piercing enchantment with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

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Supported Platforms

The Piercing enchantment is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes (1.14)
Pocket Edition (PE) Pocket Edition (PE)Yes (1.10.0)
Xbox 360 Xbox 360No
Xbox One Xbox OneYes (1.10.0)
PS3 PS3No
PS4 PS4Yes (1.90)
Wii U Wii UNo
Nintendo Switch Nintendo SwitchYes (1.10.0)
Windows 10 Edition Windows 10 EditionYes (1.10.0)
Education Edition Education EditionYes (1.12.0)

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Background

The Piercing enchantment allows the arrow fired from a crossbow to pierce through multiple entities.

You can add the Piercing enchantment to any crossbow using an enchanting table, anvil, or game command. Then use the enchanted crossbow to fight, just line up your enemies and then fire an arrow through them all!!

The maximum level for the Piercing enchantment is Level 4. This means that you can enchant a crossbow with up to Piercing IV. The higher the level, the more powerful the enchantment.

Enchantment Name Piercing
Min Level Level 1 (Piercing I)
Max Level Level 4 (Piercing IV)
Description Allows the arrow fired from a crossbow to pierce through multiple entities
Applies To crossbows Crossbows
How to add Enchantment 1. Enchanting Table
2. Anvil
3. /enchant command

Incompatible Enchantments

In Minecraft, the Piercing enchantment can not be combined with the following enchantments:

Items to Enchant with Piercing

In Minecraft, you can enchant the following items with Piercing:

Hold the Enchanted Crossbow

Once you have a crossbow that is enchanted with Piercing, you need to hold the enchanted crossbow in your hand and use it. When you attack with this enchanted crossbow, you will see arrows fired from the crossbow pierce through more than one entity.

crossbow with piercing

Let's show you what happens when we attack 2 creepers (lined up) with a crossbow that is enchanted with Piercing.

attacking crossbow with piercing

Once the arrow strikes the first entity, it will pass through and strike the next object behind it. In this example, the arrow fired from the crossbow pierced through the first creeper and killed the creeper behind it.

Congratulations, you just learned all about the Piercing enchantment in Minecraft.

Enchantment ID and Name

See a complete list of Minecraft Enchantments that is interactive and searchable.

Enchant Command for Piercing