Minecraftmight not be an extremely dangerous game, but there are still hostile mobs to deal with in survival mode, which can prove to be tough without proper weaponry and armor. Currently, players have the choice between swords, bows, tridents, and crossbows. Honorable mention to axes, which have emerged as a fantastic tool as well, despite being slow.
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Crossbows are interesting because they’re not often used by players. There’s still a prevailing idea that bows and swords are simply better, and part of it is due to the powerful enchantments these two weapons get compared to the crossbow and trident. Still, the crossbow can be a powerful, yet slightly niche weapon inMinecraft, if players can get their hands on one.
How To Get A Crossbow
Crossbows are one of the newer weapons inMinecraftand as a result, haven’t seen much use. However, players who would like to get their hands on one anyway can reliable eithercraft a crossbow or find one as loot from specific locationsand mobs.
How To Craft A Crossbow
A crossbow can be crafted inMinecraftusing the pattern above in a 3 by 3 crafting grid. String can be found in some treasure chests or is dropped by spiders when slain by the player. Tripwire hooks can be crafted using an iron ingot, a stick, and any type of wooden plank,but can also be fished for.
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This recipe is slightly expensive for such a niche weapon, but it’s ideal for players who can’t seem to find a crossbow naturally in the world.
Where To Find A Crossbow As Loot
The best way to get a crossbow inMinecraftwithout sacrificing resources is to get one naturally as loot by killing mobsof exploring certain structures. Here’s where crossbows are usually found:
How To Use A Crossbow
The crossbow is not a typical weapon inMinecraft, and it’s a bit differentfrom the regular bowplayers are familiar with. The crossbow is charged just like the bow,but the charge time is usually much longer. Charging a crossbow will also slow down the player, so strafing isn’t an option when facing another player, for example.
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On the upside,crossbows can shoot much further away and are way more accurate than bows. Plus, a charged crossbow will remain charged even when unequipped from the player’s hotbar. It’s also possible to use firework rockets and shoot them using a crossbow.
Like most other weapons, crossbows can be fixed either by combining two crossbows on the grindstone or by placing them inside a crafting grid.
Best Crossbow Enchantments In Minecraft
There are a few unique enchantments that players can put on their crossbow.While there aren’t that many options, there are some clear winners in terms of what players will definitely want on their crossbow. This list below showcases all the enchantments, organized from best to worst, top to bottom.
Minecraftwas released on June 23, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and many other platforms.
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