Updated 23 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Java-Only and Bedrock-Only Features
Some features exist in only one edition. Java has the 1.9 attack cooldown, sweep attacks, spectator teleporting and a launcher that runs old versions and mod loaders; Bedrock has achievements tied to your account, Bedrock-only death messages, faster block placing and its own enchantment behaviour.
What can Java Edition do that Bedrock cannot?
- Combat: the attack cooldown, axes hitting harder than swords, the saturation boost healing and the Sweeping Edge enchantment.
- Offhand: any item can go in the offhand.
- Launcher: play older versions back to 2009 and load modded versions through mod loaders.
- Advancements instead of achievements, which can also give experience.
- Spectator mode switching with F3 + N, and teleporting to players from the spectator hotbar.
- Breaking reach of 5 blocks in Creative and 4.5 otherwise.
- A Creative inventory with 106 Java-only entries, including spectral arrows and Luck potions.
What can Bedrock Edition do that Java cannot?
- Placing: hold the place button to place or break blocks quickly in a row, and place off the front of a block while looking down at an angle without crouching.
- Achievements tracked across your whole account that unlock Character Creator items, emotes and Xbox gamerscore.
- Breaking reach of 5 blocks on keyboard and controller, 6 in Survival on touch and 12 in Creative on touch.
- Enchantments: Fire Aspect can light TNT, candles and campfires; Impaling hurts every mob in water or rain; Riptide deals splash damage.
- Effects screen opened with Z, and food can be eaten at full hunger on Peaceful.
- Creative: you stop instantly when you let go of movement keys while flying, and cannot be killed.
How different is combat between the editions?
minecraft.wiki calls combat one of the biggest differences between Java and Bedrock. Java has the attack cooldown and sweep attacks; Bedrock has neither, adds 1 HP of bare-hand damage to every weapon except tridents and maces, and lets critical hits and sprint-knockback hits land together. See Bedrock PvP and 1.8 vs 1.9+ combat.
Are the editions getting closer?
Yes, slowly. Several drops have brought features across: 1.21.2 added baby squid, dolphins and glow squid and two banner patterns to Java for parity with Bedrock, and 1.21.5 added several features that had only been in Bedrock. See Bedrock vs Java.
Which edition does ArtemisPvP use?
Frequently asked questions
Does Bedrock have advancements?
No. Bedrock uses achievements tracked across your account instead.
Does Bedrock have sweep attacks?
No. Sweep attacks and Sweeping Edge are Java only.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.