What Does Smite Do in Minecraft? A Beginner’s Guide
If you’ve ever spent time enchanting your sword or axe in Minecraft, you’ve probably seen the enchantment called Smite. But what exactly does it do? And is it better than Sharpness or other combat enchantments?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about what Smite does in Minecraft, how to get it, what mobs it works against, and when to use it. Whether you’re new to the game or just looking to optimize your gear, this article will help you understand the power of Smite and how to use it effectively.
What Is Smite in Minecraft?
Smite is a weapon enchantment that increases your damage against specific types of enemies in Minecraft. Unlike Sharpness, which increases damage against all mobs, Smite only works against undead mobs.
So, what does that mean? It means that Smite helps you kill zombies, skeletons, and other undead creatures faster.
What Mobs Does Smite Work On?
Smite increases your damage to all undead mobs. Here’s a full list of mobs that are affected by the Smite enchantment:
- Zombies
- Skeletons
- Wither Skeletons
- Strays (cold biome skeletons)
- Husks (desert zombies)
- Drowned (underwater zombies)
- Zombified Piglins
- Zoglins
- The Wither boss
- Phantoms
If you’re going into a dungeon, nether fortress, or fighting the Wither boss, Smite can be a game-changer.
How Much Damage Does Smite Add?
The Smite enchantment has 5 levels, from Smite I to Smite V. Each level adds extra damage to undead mobs.
Here’s how it works:
- You deal +2.5 extra damage per level of Smite.
- So, Smite V adds +12.5 extra damage against undead mobs.
This bonus damage stacks with your base weapon damage, making it extremely powerful in the right situations.
How to Get Smite in Minecraft
There are several ways to get the Smite enchantment:
1. Enchanting Table
Use an enchanting table with bookshelves around it. Put in a sword or axe, and you might get Smite as one of the options.
2. Anvil and Enchanted Book
If you find or trade for an enchanted book with Smite, you can use an anvil to apply it to your weapon.
3. Trading with Villagers
Some librarian villagers offer Smite books in exchange for emeralds.
Tip: Use a grindstone to remove unwanted enchantments if you want to try again with the enchanting table.
Smite vs Sharpness: Which Is Better?
This is one of the most common questions in Minecraft. So let’s compare:
| Enchantment | Damage Type | Bonus Damage | Works On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smite | Undead only | +2.5 per level | Undead mobs |
| Sharpness | All mobs | Scales slower | All mobs |
When to Use Smite:
- Fighting the Wither boss
- Exploring dungeons full of zombies or skeletons
- Fighting in the Nether
When to Use Sharpness:
- General combat
- Player vs. Player (PvP)
- Fighting a mix of different mobs
Important: You cannot have Smite and Sharpness on the same weapon unless you use cheats or commands. You have to choose one.
Can You Use Smite on an Axe?
Yes! In Minecraft Java Edition, you can apply Smite to both swords and axes. In Bedrock Edition, it also works, though axes are less powerful in combat than swords.
Using Smite on an axe can be a great way to turn your tool into a powerful zombie-killing machine.
Best Weapons to Use with Smite
If you’re going to use Smite, here are some of the best weapons and scenarios to try it:
- Diamond or Netherite Sword with Smite V: Ideal for hunting undead mobs or farming XP from mob spawners.
- Axe with Smite: Great for combining tool usage with strong damage against undead.
- Smite Sword + Looting: If you want to farm rare mob drops like Wither Skeleton Skulls, this combo is perfect.
Final Thoughts: Is Smite Worth It?
Smite might not be the best all-around enchantment, but it’s incredibly useful in the right situations. If you’re heading into an area full of undead enemies or preparing for the Wither boss fight, a Smite-enchanted weapon can save your life.
To summarize:
- Smite deals extra damage to undead mobs
- It’s more powerful than Sharpness in those cases
- Great for specific missions or areas in the game
Now that you know what Smite does in Minecraft, try it out and see how it changes your combat strategy!
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