Minecraft is full of unique enchantments that change the way you play. Among them, Smite is often misunderstood or overlooked by new players. Many see the word in the enchanting table and wonder, “What does Smite do in Minecraft?” If you want to survive the night or take on the game’s deadliest monsters, understanding Smite is essential. This guide explains exactly how Smite works, when to use it, and how it compares to other enchantments. Whether you’re building your first enchanted weapon or planning to fight the Wither, you’ll find practical advice here.
What Is Smite In Minecraft?
Smite is a weapon enchantment in Minecraft that increases your damage against specific types of mobs. Unlike general damage enchantments, Smite only works on a group called “undead mobs.” These are enemies like zombies, skeletons, and a few others you might not expect. Smite has five levels, with each level giving more bonus damage.
Players can add Smite to swords and axes using an enchanting table, anvil, or grindstone (for removal), but not to bows or crossbows. Smite cannot be combined with other direct-damage enchantments like Sharpness or Bane of Arthropods on the same weapon.
Which Mobs Does Smite Affect?
One of the most common mistakes is thinking Smite works on every enemy. In fact, it only boosts damage against undead mobs. Here’s a list of mobs Smite affects:
- Zombies (all types: Standard, drowned, husks, zombie villagers, etc.)
- Skeletons (regular, strays, wither skeletons)
- Wither boss
- Skeleton horses
- Strays
- Phantoms
- Zoglins
- Zombie piglins (zombified piglins)
- Zombie horses
- Wither skeletons
Smite does not affect creepers, spiders, endermen, pillagers, or most animals.
Example: Fighting The Wither
The Wither is one of the strongest undead mobs. A Smite V sword can deal massive damage, making the fight much easier. Players often prepare a Smite weapon just for this boss.
How Much Extra Damage Does Smite Give?
The bonus from Smite increases with each level. Here’s a breakdown:
- Smite I: +2.5 extra damage per hit
- Smite II: +5.0 extra damage per hit
- Smite III: +7.5 extra damage per hit
- Smite IV: +10.0 extra damage per hit
- Smite V: +12.5 extra damage per hit
This bonus stacks on top of your weapon’s base damage. For example, a diamond sword does 7 base damage. With Smite V, it deals 19.5 damage to undead mobs. That’s almost triple!
Below is a quick comparison:
| Weapon | Base Damage | With Smite V |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Sword | 7 | 19.5 (vs undead) |
| Iron Sword | 6 | 18.5 (vs undead) |
| Netherite Axe | 10 | 22.5 (vs undead) |
This means you can kill most zombies or skeletons in one or two hits with a Smite V weapon.
How To Get Smite Enchantment
There are three main ways to add Smite to your sword or axe:
1. Enchanting Table
Place your sword or axe in the enchanting table, spend experience levels and lapis lazuli, and hope for Smite. The enchantments are random, so you might need to try a few times.
2. Anvil + Enchanted Book
Find or fish for a Smite-enchanted book. Combine it with your weapon using an anvil. This lets you control exactly what enchantment you get.
3. Trading With Villagers
Librarian villagers sometimes sell enchanted books, including Smite. This can be a reliable way if you set up a villager trading hall.
Tip Most Beginners Miss
Many new players don’t realize you can combine books on an anvil to get higher levels. For example, two Smite III books can be combined into Smite IV, then combined again for Smite V.
Smite Vs. Sharpness Vs. Bane Of Arthropods
Choosing the right enchantment depends on what you want to fight. Smite, Sharpness, and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive; you can only have one on a weapon. Here’s how they compare:
| Enchantment | Bonus Damage | Works On |
|---|---|---|
| Smite V | +12.5 | Undead mobs only |
| Sharpness V | +6 (Java) / +7.5 (Bedrock) | All mobs (except players in Bedrock) |
| Bane of Arthropods V | +12.5 | Arthropods (spiders, cave spiders, silverfish, bees, endermites) |
- Smite is best for fighting zombies, skeletons, and the Wither.
- Sharpness is best for all-around use.
- Bane of Arthropods is only useful for killing spiders and similar mobs.
Pro Insight
Some experienced players keep a Smite V sword for bosses like the Wither, and a Sharpness V sword for normal use. This way, you get the best of both worlds.
Practical Uses For Smite
You might wonder, “When should I actually use Smite?” Here are common scenarios:
1. Wither Boss Fights
The Wither has a huge amount of health and is undead. Smite can cut the fight time in half compared to Sharpness.
2. Zombie Sieges
If you play on hard mode, villages can be attacked by zombies. A Smite weapon lets you defend quickly.
3. Skeleton Farms
Many players build skeleton farms for bone and arrow resources. Smite weapons clear these mobs faster.
4. Exploring The Nether
Wither skeletons are dangerous in Nether fortresses. Smite makes them much easier to kill.
5. Hardcore Or Survival Worlds
The faster you kill undead mobs, the less chance they have to damage you or call reinforcements.
Common Mistake
Many beginners put Smite on their main sword. But since it only helps against certain mobs, it’s usually better as a backup weapon, unless you spend lots of time fighting undead.
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How Smite Interacts With Other Enchantments
Smite cannot be combined with Sharpness or Bane of Arthropods on the same weapon. However, it works with other enchantments like:
- Unbreaking (makes your weapon last longer)
- Looting (increases drops)
- Mending (repairs weapon with XP)
- Fire Aspect (sets mobs on fire, though some undead, like skeletons, are immune)
You can create a “Smite sword” with these bonus effects, making it even more powerful for farming or boss fights.
Java Edition Vs. Bedrock Edition Differences
Minecraft has two main versions: Java Edition (PC) and Bedrock Edition (mobile, consoles, Windows 10). Most Smite features are the same, but there are a few small differences.
- Damage Formula: In Java Edition, Sharpness adds less damage than Smite. In Bedrock, Sharpness adds a bit more.
- Enchanting Table Interface: Bedrock Edition sometimes shows different enchantment options.
The mobs affected by Smite are the same in both versions.
How To Decide: Should You Use Smite?
Choosing Smite depends on your playstyle and what you face most often. Here are a few questions to help you decide:
- Do you farm a lot of zombies or skeletons?
- Are you planning to fight the Wither soon?
- Do you play on hard difficulty, where undead mobs are more dangerous?
If you answer yes, it’s worth making a Smite weapon. Otherwise, for day-to-day adventuring, Sharpness is more flexible.
How To Remove Or Change Smite
If you accidentally put Smite on your main weapon, you can remove it using a grindstone. This will erase all enchantments but returns some experience points. After that, you can re-enchant the weapon.
If you want to switch between Smite and Sharpness, the only way is to have two different weapons.
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Advanced Tips For Using Smite
1. Combine With Looting
Looting increases drops from mobs. A Smite + Looting sword is perfect for getting rare drops from undead, like wither skeleton skulls.
2. Use Axes For Critical Hits
Axes can take Smite, and in Java Edition, axes deal more critical damage. If you like axes, try enchanting one with Smite for massive one-hit kills.
3. Backup Weapon Strategy
Keep a Smite sword in your hotbar for emergencies, especially when you see lots of zombies or skeletons.
4. Don’t Waste It On Gold Weapons
Gold swords and axes enchant easily, but break quickly. Save high-level Smite for diamond or netherite weapons.
How To Get Smite Books More Easily
Fishing, chest looting, and trading with librarian villagers are the main ways to find enchanted books. If you want to target Smite, use a grindstone to reset a librarian’s trades until they offer a Smite book. This is much faster than random enchanting.
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The Math: How Many Hits To Kill Undead With Smite
Let’s see how Smite changes combat:
- Regular zombie (Java): 20 health (10 hearts)
- Smite V diamond sword: 19.5 damage per hit
One hit almost kills a zombie. Add a critical hit, and it’s always a one-shot.
For the Wither (300 health):
A normal sword might need 43 hits. With Smite V, only about 15-16 hits are needed. This is a massive time saver.
Common Myths About Smite
- Myth: Smite works on creepers.
Fact: Smite does not affect creepers.
- Myth: Smite works on endermen.
Fact: Smite does not boost damage against endermen.
- Myth: Sharpness is always better.
Fact: Smite is better if you mainly fight undead.
When Not To Use Smite
Avoid Smite if you:
- Want one sword for all mobs.
- Spend more time fighting animals, creepers, or pillagers.
- Play in creative or peaceful mode, where mobs don’t matter.
If you want a “do-everything” sword, choose Sharpness instead.
Real-world Example: Smite In An Endgame Survival Base
Many top players keep a special Smite V sword or axe in their storage. When it’s time to fight the Wither or run a skeleton farm, they switch to this weapon. This small habit saves time and makes dangerous fights much safer.
It’s a sign of a prepared, experienced Minecraft player.
If you want to read more about how enchantments work, the official Minecraft Wiki has a complete reference list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Max Level For Smite In Minecraft?
The maximum level for Smite is V (five). At this level, it gives the highest possible damage bonus to undead mobs.
Can Smite Be Put On Bows Or Crossbows?
No, Smite only works on swords and axes. It cannot be applied to bows, crossbows, or tridents.
Does Smite Stack With Sharpness Or Bane Of Arthropods?
No, you can only have one of these three enchantments on a weapon at a time. If you add one, the others can’t be added to the same weapon.
Is Smite Worth It In Multiplayer Or Pvp?
Usually not. Most players are not undead mobs. For PvP, Sharpness is a better choice.
Can I Get Smite From Fishing?
Yes, you can sometimes fish up Smite-enchanted books. Using the Luck of the Sea enchantment increases your chances.
Smite is a powerful but specialized enchantment in Minecraft. Used wisely, it lets you defeat undead mobs and bosses much faster. If you play on hard mode or want to fight the Wither, a Smite weapon is your best friend.
With careful planning and the tips above, you’ll never underestimate this enchantment again.