Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, community sites named in the text and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
How Combos Work in Minecraft PvP
A combo is a chain of hits where the opponent never gets to hit back: each sprint hit sends them up and out of reach, they land, and you hit them again first. You build it with W-taps and spacing; they escape it with jump resets, hit selects, S-holds or a cobweb.
How do you start and hold a combo?
- Land the first sprint-knockback hit, ideally first in the exchange.
- Reset your sprint (W-tap) so the next hit is also a sprint hit.
- S-tap or strafe to stay right at the edge of your 3-block reach.
- Let them land, then hit again before they can reply.
- Keep your aim level.
minecraft.wiki's Java guide says sprint-knockback hits are essential to combos and work best when you let the opponent land before the next one. Details: W-tapping and strafing and spacing.
How do you escape a combo?
- Jump reset: jump as you are hit.
- Hit select: hit back the moment they hit you.
- Back out after a sprint hit lands on you.
- S-hold: hold S and fly far away (you risk being crit).
- Place a cobweb under yourself; cobwebs stop knockback.
- Spam-click with a Knockback I sword to push them back slightly (Java guide).
More on jump reset and hit select.
Do combos work in every kit?
- Shields: sprint hits do nothing to a raised shield, so in 1.9+ kits you disable it with an axe first; see shield techniques.
- Netherite: 40% knockback resistance makes combos weak. The guide recommends a Knockback I sword against netherite to bring back normal combo knockback.
- Diamond without netherite: the guide says Knockback swords make combos harder, so most kits avoid them.
Does ping affect combos?
Yes. The Java guide explains that your knockback arrives late by your ping: with 100 ms you only start moving a tenth of a second after the hit. High-ping players are harder to combo, so against them the guide suggests critting instead. See ping and PvP.
Can you combo on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
What is a combo in Minecraft PvP?
A chain of hits where each one knocks the opponent out of reach, so they never get to hit back.
How do you get out of a combo?
Jump reset, hit select, back out, hold S, or place a cobweb under yourself.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.