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.
Potion of Strength in Minecraft: Recipe and Effects
A Potion of Strength makes your melee hits stronger: +3 damage on Java for 3 minutes, or +6 with Strength II for 1:30. Brew it from an Awkward Potion and blaze powder; redstone extends it to 8 minutes. On Bedrock the bonus is 30% of your damage plus 1. It is one of the most useful combat potions.
How do you brew a Potion of Strength?
| Potion | Made from | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Potion of Strength | Awkward Potion + blaze powder | 3:00 |
| Long Strength | + redstone | 8:00 |
| Strength II | + glowstone dust | 1:30 |
Brew in a brewing stand fuelled with blaze powder: water bottles plus Nether wart make Awkward Potions, the base for most potions; see brewing potions.
What does it do?
Strength adds a flat bonus to melee damage on Java, so it helps weak weapons the most. It does not affect bows or tridents thrown. Effect list: every potion.
When should you use it?
Use it for the wither, the warden, raids and PvP. Trial chamber supply chests and ominous trial spawners can also contain Strength potions. See blaze rods and powder.
Step by step
Fill three glass bottles with water and place them in the bottom slots of a brewing stand, with blaze powder as fuel. Add Nether wart to make Awkward Potions (Weakness skips this step), then add the main ingredient. Finally add redstone for a longer version, glowstone for a stronger one, or gunpowder for a splash potion. On Bedrock, Strength II raises melee damage by 69% and then adds 2.3.
Splash, lingering and tips
Blaze powder comes from blaze rods; see blaze rods and powder. Add gunpowder for a splash version you throw, then dragon's breath for a lingering cloud; see splash and lingering potions. Related: the wither.
Frequently asked questions
How much damage does Strength add?
+3 on Java (+6 with Strength II).
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.