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.
Crystal PvP Guide
Crystal PvP uses end crystals and respawn anchors as explosive weapons. They can one-shot players in full Protection IV netherite, so the whole game is about staying lower than your opponent, setting off explosions near their feet, and swapping in new totems faster than they can pop them.
How do crystals and anchors work in PvP?
- End crystal: placed on obsidian or bedrock; any damage makes it explode. Damage is far higher if your legs are level with or above the crystal. You cannot place one if another entity, like a player or dropped item, is in the way.
- Respawn anchor: placed in the Overworld or End, charged with glowstone, then right-clicked to explode. Charge level does not change damage, so top players charge it with 1 glowstone and set it off fast.
- Shields block crystal damage, but only in front of you.
What gear does a crystal kit need?
minecraft.wiki's PvP guide lists at least a stack of obsidian, end crystals, respawn anchors and glowstone; as many totems of undying as possible; a Piercing or Multishot crossbow with Slow Falling arrows; and Blast Protection IV on your leggings instead of Protection IV. It notes that without any Blast Protection, two crystal explosions kill you even with a totem.
What are the main crystal techniques?
| Technique | What you do |
|---|---|
| Ledge crystal | Run off a shared ledge, place obsidian and spam crystals into it |
| Hit crystal | Knock them up with a sword (Knockback I helps), place obsidian and crystal them in the air |
| Double tap | Hit, crystal, then crystal again the moment they stop flashing red to pop two totems |
| Safe anchor | Put a block between you and your anchor so it hits them, not your legs |
| Blocking off | Cover obsidian near you so crystals cannot be placed on it |
| Face placing | Obsidian and crystals in front of you to catch an incoming pearl |
| Pearl flash | Pearl in and use the i-frames to avoid knockback |
How do you survive double pops?
Double-handing means keeping a totem in your offhand and one on a hotbar slot you can switch to instantly. When a totem pops, retotem: open your inventory, hover a totem and press the offhand or hotbar key. Keep your totems near the middle of your inventory so this is quick. Totem basics: Totem of Undying.
Where is crystal PvP played?
Mostly on practice servers and anarchy-style servers; the guide notes many survival servers ban or disable crystals and anchors. It is a 1.9+ style: end crystals as weapons depend on modern combat and gear. Kit overview: PvP kit types. Respawn anchors: respawn anchor. I-frames: invulnerability frames.
Frequently asked questions
What is Crystal PvP?
A PvP style using end crystals and respawn anchors as explosive weapons, with totems to survive.
Why use Blast Protection in Crystal PvP?
minecraft.wiki's guide says without any Blast Protection two crystal explosions kill you even with a totem.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.