In general, the netherite sword is the strongest weapon in Minecraft for most melee situations. If you don’t have a sword, a netherite axe or diamond sword can be a good substitute.
When fighting off mobs or even other players, there are many different weapons to pick from! It should not come as a surprise that certain weapons are much stronger than others.
The weapon which is the strongest will depend on your situation, playstyle, and the edition of Minecraft you are playing on. For example, there are some small differences if you are on Java or Bedrock Edition.
Other factors such as weapon enchantments or even using Minecraft modpacks can also affect which weapons are stronger or weaker. This list is current as of Minecraft 26.2 and includes the newest weapons: the mace, the spear, and the copper weapon tier.
Minecraft Weapons Ranked by Damage
Here is a table of the best weapons in Minecraft and how their stats compare to each other in Java Edition. Keep in mind these values are for non-enchanted weapons.
| Weapon | Damage | Recover Time | Damage Per Second (DPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Netherite Sword | 8 | 0.625s | 12.8 |
| #2 Diamond Sword | 7 | 0.625s | 11.2 |
| #3 Netherite Axe | 10 | 1.0s | 10.0 |
| #4 Trident (Melee) | 9 | 0.91s | 9.9 |
| #5 Diamond Axe | 9 | 1.0s | 9.0 |
| #6 Copper Sword | 5 | 0.625s | 8.0 |
| #7 Crossbow (Average) | 9 | 1.25s | 7.2 |
| #8 Copper Axe | 9 | 1.25s | 7.2 |
| #9 Bow (Fully Charged) | 6 | 1.0s | 6.0 |
| #10 Mace (no fall) | 6 | 1.67s | 3.6 |
The mace looks weak in this table, but that is only its damage without falling. Smash attacks from a height are the strongest single hits in the game. The spear is not listed because its charge attack damage depends on how fast you are moving, so it does not have one fixed number.
The copper sword and copper axe hit just as hard as their stone versions but with better durability, so they are a nice early game pick while you look for iron. You can read about the whole copper tier in our Minecraft copper guide.
Although we have a table ranking weapons by damage per second, you also have to consider more than just raw damage output. For example, consider if a ranged weapon like a bow would be more practical in your situation.
Weapon Overview
Even though all tools can deal damage to enemies, only swords, axes, maces, spears, tridents, bows, and crossbows can be considered as real weapon choices in Minecraft. Sure, you could hit mobs repeatedly with a shovel or a pickaxe, but the damage is so weak that you’re way better off using one of the before mentioned weapons!
It is a good idea to build a storage room for all your different weapons. This way, you can more easily swap out your weapons for different situations.
Here is an overview of each Minecraft weapon and their differences:
1. Swords
One of the most easily obtainable weapons and one of the strongest for melee combat. The damage per second is higher than axes and is similar to that of a trident. As an added advantage, in Java Edition swords have a “sweeping attack” which can attack multiple targets at the same time.
Just like tools, swords can be made of varying quality with wood being the weakest material and netherite being the strongest. Since the Copper Age update, there is also a copper sword, which hits as hard as a stone sword but lasts longer.
2. Axes
In Java Edition, axes hit enemies for more damage than swords, but you need to wait longer between each swing. The slower speed results in a lower damage per second when compared to swords. In contrast, axes deal even less damage than swords in Bedrock Edition.
Axes also take more durability damage per hit when compared to swords. Overall, an axe is an effective Minecraft weapon when you don’t have a sword with you.
3. Maces
The mace is a special weapon that deals more damage the further you fall before hitting your target. Fall from high enough and a single smash can defeat almost any mob in the game, and a successful smash also cancels your fall damage. Regular swings without falling are weak, so the mace is all about the big hit.
You cannot craft a mace from normal materials. It is made from a breeze rod and a heavy core, which you find in trial chambers. A popular trick is to launch yourself into the air with a wind charge and smash down on your target.
4. Spears
The spear is the newest weapon in the game, added in the Mounts of Mayhem update. It attacks from further away than any other melee weapon and can reach targets up to 4.5 blocks out. It has two attacks: a quick jab, and a charge attack that deals more damage the faster you are moving. Charging on horseback like a jousting knight hits very hard and even knocks riders off their mounts!
The jab on its own is weak, so the spear rewards players who keep moving. Its exclusive Lunge enchantment launches you forward when you jab, which makes it one of the most fun weapons to use. Spears come in every material tier, including copper.
5. Tridents
Tridents deal similar damage to a sword, but have the added advantage that they can be thrown and deal similar damage. They are more difficult to obtain than other weapons and need to be found as a drop from Drowned mobs. The “Loyalty” enchantment is extremely useful for tridents, as it returns the trident to you after throwing it.
6. Bow Weapons
By far the main advantage of using a bow is the fact that it deals ranged damage. Regular bows are not very strong, but once you start adding enchantments they are very powerful!
7. Crossbow Weapons
Similar to bows, the main advantage is the ranged damage. Crossbows deal more damage and are more accurate than bows, but the tradeoff is that they are slower to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the mace stronger than the netherite sword?
Only when falling. A mace smash from high up deals the biggest hit in the game and can one-shot most mobs. Without a fall, the mace has the lowest damage per second of any weapon, so the netherite sword wins in regular combat.
Are copper weapons worth making?
Early on, yes. A copper sword hits as hard as a stone sword but lasts longer, and copper is very easy to find. Once you have iron, upgrade, since iron and better weapons deal more damage.
That concludes our list of the strongest Minecraft weapons! Do you have any suggestions or additions? Leave a comment below!
