iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Smite is a weapon enchantment that adds damage only when you hit an undead mob. It does not improve every melee attack. In Java Edition, each level adds 2.5 HP (1.25 hearts), so Smite V adds 12.5 HP (6.25 hearts). Bedrock Edition rounds the bonus down, making Smite V worth 12 HP. A Smite V sword is therefore excellent for zombies, skeletons, phantoms, and the Wither, but a Sharpness weapon remains better for mixed exploration because Smite has no bonus against ordinary non-undead targets.
What does Smite do in Minecraft?
Smite increases the damage dealt by an enchanted melee weapon to mobs in Minecraft’s undead family. The enchantment is target-specific: the extra damage is applied when the target is undead, not when you attack a creeper, spider, enderman or other non-undead creature. Microsoft Learn describes the effect as increasing damage against mobs in the undead family.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Smite has five normal levels, from Smite I through Smite V. Its value is highest when you repeatedly fight undead enemies or need to damage the Wither quickly. For general-purpose play, its restriction means it works best as a dedicated second weapon rather than as a replacement for Sharpness on your only sword.
How much damage does Smite add at each level?
Java Edition preserves the enchantment’s fractional bonus. Bedrock Edition rounds each level’s bonus down to a whole number of health points. One heart equals two HP.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Smite level | Java bonus | Java hearts | Bedrock bonus | Bedrock hearts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smite I | 2.5 HP | 1.25 | 2 HP | 1 |
| Smite II | 5 HP | 2.5 | 5 HP | 2.5 |
| Smite III | 7.5 HP | 3.75 | 7 HP | 3.5 |
| Smite IV | 10 HP | 5 | 10 HP | 5 |
| Smite V | 12.5 HP | 6.25 | 12 HP | 6 |
The rounding difference matters most at odd levels. Smite I, III and V lose half a heart compared with the Java value when played on Bedrock. Even levels produce whole-number bonuses in both editions.
What does Smite V do to a netherite sword’s damage?
The current Java damage table gives a netherite sword 8 HP of base damage. Against an undead target with no armor, a fully charged ordinary hit with Smite V is 20.5 HP: 8 base HP plus 12.5 HP from the enchantment. The same table gives 24.5 HP for a fully charged critical hit. Those figures assume the attack is fully charged and the target has no armor; armor, difficulty and other combat conditions can reduce the health removed in an actual fight.
The material still affects the weapon’s base damage and durability, but upgrading from an iron or diamond sword does not change which mobs qualify. Smite supplies its extra damage because of the target’s undead classification.
Which mobs does Smite work on?
The current undead roster includes the following mobs and variants. Grouping them by family makes it easier to check whether a new or unusual mob qualifies.
| Undead group | Mobs affected by Smite |
|---|---|
| Zombies and related forms | Zombie, drowned, husk, zombie villager, zombified piglin, zoglin, zombie horse, camel husk, zombie nautilus |
| Skeletons and related forms | Skeleton, stray, bogged, parched, wither skeleton, skeleton horse |
| Other undead | Phantom, Wither |
The list includes newer entries such as the camel husk, parched and zombie nautilus, so an older mob chart may be incomplete. The classification, rather than appearance, determines the bonus.
Does Smite work on the Wither?
Yes. The Wither is an undead boss and receives Smite’s extra damage. That makes a high-level Smite sword or axe a sensible weapon to bring specifically for a Wither fight, provided you can also handle its ranged attacks and terrain damage.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does Smite work on the Warden, ghast or giant?
No. The released-game Warden is not undead, so it does not receive Smite’s undead bonus. A ghast and a giant are also not classified as undead, despite their visual connection to hostile or undead creatures. Smite should be chosen from the mob’s actual classification, not from its appearance or lore.
Is Smite better than Sharpness?
Neither enchantment is universally better. Smite gives a much larger specialist bonus against undead targets, while Sharpness is the flexible choice when your fights include many different mob types.
| Situation | Better choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Zombie, skeleton or phantom farm | Smite | Every qualifying hit receives the undead bonus. |
| Wither fight | Smite | The Wither is undead. |
| Cave or overworld exploration with mixed enemies | Sharpness | It is not limited to the undead family. |
| One weapon for nearly every hostile mob | Sharpness | Smite has no extra effect on non-undead targets. |
In ordinary survival enchanting, Smite and Sharpness are mutually exclusive. You cannot normally combine both on one weapon and switch effects depending on the target. The practical solution is to carry two weapons: a Smite weapon for undead work and a Sharpness weapon for general combat.
Which enchantments conflict with Smite?
Smite normally conflicts with other damage-specialist enchantments. In survival, the same weapon cannot ordinarily have Smite together with Sharpness, Bane of Arthropods, Density or Breach. Density and Breach are relevant to mace builds, so check the rules for the exact edition and release before planning a mixed weapon.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Sharpness: general damage enchantment; normally incompatible with Smite.
- Bane of Arthropods: specialist damage for arthropods; normally incompatible with Smite.
- Density: mace-related damage enchantment; normally incompatible with Smite.
- Breach: mace enchantment that occupies the same damage-enchantment slot in normal survival use.
The current reference also records Cleaving in Java combat tests and Impaling as a command-level edge case. Those situations do not establish a universal survival combination for every edition, so do not assume a command-created item follows the same restrictions as an item made at an enchanting table or anvil.
What is the best Smite sword loadout?
For a dedicated undead weapon, the practical default is Smite V, Looting III, Unbreaking III and Mending. This combination maximizes the enchantment’s target damage, improves drops when farming, and reduces the frequency with which the weapon must be replaced or repaired.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Recommended enchantments
- Smite V: the highest normal Smite level and the largest undead damage bonus.
- Looting III: useful for farms because Looting increases the chances of obtaining good loot when mobs are killed.
- Unbreaking III: reduces durability damage and extends the weapon’s working life.
- Mending: repairs the item with experience, allowing sustained use when experience is available.
Choosing the weapon material
A netherite sword provides the highest base-damage example in the cited Java table, but the important decision is the target roster. A diamond or netherite Smite sword is valuable because it combines its material’s normal weapon statistics with the undead bonus; neither material makes Smite work on non-undead mobs.
Why carry a second weapon?
Keep a Sharpness sword or axe for creepers, spiders, endermen and other non-undead targets. Since the two enchantments cannot normally share one weapon, this two-item setup avoids carrying a weapon that loses its special damage in half of your encounters. Put Looting on the weapon used to make the final kill when you are farming drops.
How do you get Smite in survival?
There is no single guaranteed source in every world. The main routes documented for adding enchantments are an enchanting table, a librarian villager, an anvil with an enchanted book and the /enchant command where commands are enabled. The current Smite reference also lists several loot-based sources, especially on Bedrock.
- Use an enchanting table. Place the weapon in the table, provide the required experience levels and lapis lazuli, and select an available enchantment. The offered level is randomized, so Smite V may require repeated attempts or combining lower-level books.
- Trade with a librarian. Librarian villagers can offer enchanted books. Their trades are a renewable way to seek a particular enchantment, although the first offer is not guaranteed to be Smite.
- Combine books or weapons at an anvil. Apply a Smite book to a compatible sword or axe, or combine lower-level Smite items to raise the level when the anvil’s cost permits it.
- Find enchanted books. The reference lists fishing books, monster-room chests and loot in non-village structures. Bedrock also lists raid drops as a possible source. These are chance-based finds rather than a guaranteed Smite chest.
- Use a command when appropriate. The
/enchantcommand can apply enchantments in worlds where you have permission and commands are enabled. Command-created items can be subject to different compatibility behavior than ordinary survival items.
How do Java and Bedrock handle Smite differently?
The headline difference is numerical: Java keeps 2.5 HP per level, while Bedrock rounds down each level’s result. Therefore Smite V adds 12.5 HP in Java but 12 HP in Bedrock. Odd levels show the clearest difference.
Weapon availability also needs an edition check. Microsoft’s Bedrock documentation explicitly lists swords and axes as eligible items. The current cross-edition reference includes swords, axes, spears and maces with edition-specific markers, so spear and mace support should be verified against the exact release you play. A sword or axe is the safest cross-edition recommendation.
There is an additional Java caveat: spear charge attacks made from the off hand do not receive Smite’s bonus according to the current reference. Do not transfer sword behavior to every newer weapon or assume that a charged off-hand attack gets the same calculation.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What should you check when Smite appears not to work?
- Identify the target. Verify that the mob is one of the undead entries, rather than relying on its appearance. Warden, ghast and giant are common mistaken assumptions.
- Check the edition. A half-heart discrepancy at Smite I, III or V can be the normal Bedrock rounding rule, not a broken enchantment.
- Confirm the weapon and attack. Use a compatible sword or axe when you need the most predictable cross-edition behavior, and fully charge a normal attack before comparing damage.
- Account for armor and conditions. Published damage examples assume no target armor. Armor and combat circumstances can make the health bar fall by less than the raw damage number suggests.
- Look for a conflicting enchantment plan. Smite cannot normally coexist with Sharpness, Bane of Arthropods, Density or Breach in survival, so a weapon made for general combat may need to be replaced rather than re-enchanted.
When should you choose Smite instead of a general-purpose weapon?
Choose Smite when most of the work is against undead: a skeleton or zombie farm, a Nether route dominated by zombified piglins and wither skeletons, phantom defense, or a Wither battle. The high per-hit bonus makes Smite V especially efficient in those situations.
Choose Sharpness when you are exploring without knowing which enemies will appear. If inventory space allows, carrying both is more reliable than trying to make one weapon cover incompatible enchantment roles. The Smite weapon then stays reserved for qualifying targets, while the Sharpness weapon handles everything else.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Does Smite change a weapon’s attack speed?
No. Smite is a damage enchantment; its documented effect is the extra damage against undead targets. Weapon attack speed and reach come from the weapon and edition-specific combat rules, not from adding Smite.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhy does Smite III show a different bonus in Java and Bedrock?
Java applies 7.5 HP at Smite III, while Bedrock rounds that result down to 7 HP. The same rounding rule explains the difference at Smite I and Smite V; even levels happen to produce whole-number bonuses in both editions.
Can an enchanted book with Smite be saved for a different weapon?
Yes. An enchanted Smite book can be kept and applied later with an anvil to a compatible weapon. Because Smite is a specialist enchantment, storing the book until you have a dedicated undead sword or axe can prevent wasting it on a general-purpose weapon.
Does Looting make Smite deal more damage?
No. Looting and Smite affect different outcomes: Smite changes qualifying-hit damage, while Looting improves the chances of obtaining good loot when a mob is killed. They complement each other on a farming weapon but do not increase each other’s numerical effect.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Are Smite’s mob targets guaranteed to stay unchanged?
Mob classifications and enchantment compatibility can change with Minecraft updates. For a newly introduced mob or weapon, check the current edition’s reference rather than assuming that a similar-looking creature inherits the undead classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smite change a weapon’s attack speed?
No. Smite is a damage enchantment; its documented effect is the extra damage against undead targets. Weapon attack speed and reach come from the weapon and edition-specific combat rules, not from adding Smite.
Why does Smite III show a different bonus in Java and Bedrock?
Java applies 7.5 HP at Smite III, while Bedrock rounds that result down to 7 HP. The same rounding rule explains the difference at Smite I and Smite V; even levels happen to produce whole-number bonuses in both editions.
Can an enchanted book with Smite be saved for a different weapon?
Yes. An enchanted Smite book can be kept and applied later with an anvil to a compatible weapon. Because Smite is a specialist enchantment, storing the book until you have a dedicated undead sword or axe can prevent wasting it on a general-purpose weapon.
Does Looting make Smite deal more damage?
No. Looting and Smite affect different outcomes: Smite changes qualifying-hit damage, while Looting improves the chances of obtaining good loot when a mob is killed. They complement each other on a farming weapon but do not increase each other’s numerical effect.
Recommended Free Tools
Are Smite’s mob targets guaranteed to stay unchanged?
Mob classifications and enchantment compatibility can change with Minecraft updates. For a newly introduced mob or weapon, check the current edition’s reference rather than assuming that a similar-looking creature inherits the undead classification.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
