Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Best Armor Enchantments in Minecraft
Put Protection IV on every piece for the best all-round defence (16% less damage per piece, capped overall), plus Unbreaking III and Mending. Only one Protection type fits per piece: Fire Protection for the Nether, Blast Protection against creepers and TNT, Projectile Protection against skeletons. Thorns III hurts attackers but wears armor faster.
How do the Protection types compare?
| Enchantment | Max | Reduces |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | IV | Almost everything, 4% per level per piece; not hunger, the void, /kill or the warden's sonic boom |
| Fire Protection | IV | Fire, lava, magma and burning, and burn time |
| Blast Protection | IV | Explosions by 8% per level and explosion knockback by 15% per level |
| Projectile Protection | IV | Arrows, tridents, shulker bullets, blaze and ghast fireball hits, wind charges |
| Thorns | III | Not defence: 15% per level per piece to hit back for 1-5 damage, costs extra durability |
Damage math: armor and protection. Explosions: blast resistance.
What goes on each piece?
- Helmet: Protection IV, Respiration III, Aqua Affinity; see helmet enchantments.
- Chestplate: Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending (Thorns if you want it).
- Leggings: Protection IV, Swift Sneak III (ancient city loot only), Unbreaking III, Mending.
- Boots: Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Depth Strider III or Frost Walker II, Soul Speed III; see boots enchantments.
Why Protection over the special types?
Protection works against nearly every damage type, while the others only help in one situation. For a Nether trip a set with Fire Protection is worth carrying; for creeper farms, Blast Protection. Netherite armor also adds toughness and knockback resistance; see netherite.
How do you get them?
Enchanting tables and librarian books; Swift Sneak only from ancient city chests and Soul Speed only from piglin bartering or bastions. Combine them at an anvil.
Are there custom armor enchants on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best armor enchantment?
Protection IV on every piece, plus Unbreaking III and Mending.
Can armor have Protection and Fire Protection?
No, only one Protection type per piece.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.