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.
Invulnerability Frames (I-Frames) and Hit Delay
After taking damage, a player or mob flashes red for 10 game ticks (half a second) and ignores most further damage and knockback in that window. This is the real hit limit in 1.8 PvP, and the reason clicking faster than about 2 hits per second on one target does not add hits.
What are invulnerability frames?
minecraft.wiki calls it the invulnerability timer: after damage from any source, the target turns red for 10 game ticks (0.5 seconds) and is immune to most further damage. Attacks that land during this time deal nothing and do not even use up weapon durability. PvP players call these ticks i-frames, and some call the resulting gap between hits the hit delay.
Can a bigger hit still get through?
Yes. During the window, any damage equal to or lower than the hit that started it is ignored, but a higher hit deals the difference. minecraft.wiki's example: hit with a weapon for 7 damage, then with one for 12 during the window, and the target takes 5 more. So a heavy crit landing right after a light hit is not fully wasted.
Does knockback work during i-frames?
No. Knockback dealt during the half-second window is ignored. The one exception minecraft.wiki lists is a sword or spear with the Knockback enchantment, whose enchantment knockback still applies if the follow-up deals more damage than the first hit. The modern PvP guide adds that only explosions can push you during this window.
What is a pearl flash?
Any damage starts i-frames, including the 5 damage an ender pearl deals when you land. The PvP guide describes pearl flashing: pearling right next to an opponent so your fresh i-frames stop their hits from knocking you back while you attack. It notes the same works with fall damage, poison, fire, cactus and magma, if taking a little damage is better than taking knockback. More on ender pearls in PvP.
What does this mean for clicking speed?
Because a target can only be damaged once every half second by hits of the same strength, extra clicks mostly add consistency and small knockback taps, not extra damage. minecraft.wiki notes that even at the fastest attack speed only 2 of 4 attacks per second can land on one target. Clicking methods and what CPS really changes are covered on CPS and clicking; on ArtemisPvP jitter, butterfly and drag clicking are all allowed (1.8.9 PvP FAQ).
How do hits feel on ArtemisPvP?
ArtemisPvP uses 1.8.9-style combat; you can practise in ranked or unranked duels.
Frequently asked questions
How long are invulnerability frames in Minecraft?
10 game ticks, which is half a second, after taking damage.
Do you take knockback during i-frames?
No, apart from a Knockback-enchanted sword or spear hit that deals more damage than the first hit, and explosions.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.