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Minecraft Curse Guide: All Curses & Effects

Last modified on 16 October 2025 in Minecraft
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Weezzy

Weezzy

Minecraft Content Creator & Blogger

Key Takeaways: Minecraft Curse Guide 

  • Curses are negative enchantments in Minecraft that apply penalties instead of bonuses, creating unique gameplay challenges and risks.

  • The game currently includes two main cursesCurse of Binding and Curse of Vanishing, both found through loot, trades, or fishing, not regular enchanting.

  • Curse of Binding locks armor to your character until it breaks or you die, often used for PvP tricks, map challenges, or team uniforms in multiplayer.

  • Curse of Vanishing causes items to disappear upon death, preventing enemies from looting valuable gear—especially useful in competitive or hardcore play.

  • Curses cannot be removed using grindstones or anvils; the only solutions are breaking the item or using creative commands.

  • Players can strategically use curses for roleplay, PvP defense, or challenge runs, turning negative enchantments into tactical advantages.

  • To avoid being cursed, always inspect enchanted loot and books before use, and grindstone suspicious items early to strip unwanted enchantments.

What Are Minecraft Curses?

Curses are a special category of enchantments that generally inflict some form of restriction or penalty on the item they’re applied to. Unlike beneficial enchantments like Protection or Efficiency, curses don't boost your stats - they make gameplay harder.

You won’t find these on the enchanting table (with one exception), but they can appear on loot from End cities, bastions, or dungeon chests, and sometimes sneak into gear from villagers or even through the anvil if you’re careless with mixing enchanted books.

Currently, the game features two official curses in both Java and Bedrock Editions:

  • Curse of Binding

  • Curse of Vanishing

NOTE

Some mods (like those used on CurseForge or in modpacks) expand the curse system with even more brutal effects, but we’ll focus here on the core vanilla mechanics

Curse of Binding in Minecraft

Ever worn a pumpkin on your head and couldn’t take it off? That’s Curse of Binding at work.

Curse of Binding Minecraft

What It Does:

Once a piece of armor with Curse of Binding is equipped, it cannot be removed unless the item breaks, or you die (in Survival or Adventure mode).

How to Get Curse of Binding

Only through loot (chests, fishing, etc.), villager trades, or combining enchanted books. You can’t get it from a normal enchanting table.

cave chest location in minecraft

When It’s Dangerous:

  • Accidentally equip a cursed carved pumpkin or leather armor in hardcore mode? You’re stuck with it forever - no resets.

  • PvP servers often see players troll one another with cursed gear as a practical joke (or psychological warfare).

  • In minigames or adventure maps, mapmakers may use this to force players into specific roles or difficulties.

Can It Be Useful?

Oddly, yes. In multiplayer games, Curse of Binding can be used intentionally to ensure no one removes their team-colored armor. Some players also exploit it in challenge runs to force themselves into creative constraints.

Minecraft Pumpkin Head

Curse of Vanishing in Minecraft

This is the more subtle, but no less frustrating, curse in the game.

Minecraft Curse of Vanishing

What It Does:

When the player dies, any item with Curse of Vanishing disappears permanently instead of dropping to the ground.

How to Get Curse of Vanishing

Same sources as Curse of Binding, dungeon loot, fishing, trades, or combining books.

minecraft fishing

Why It’s Risky:

  • You find a god-tier sword with Sharpness V and Looting III… but it has Curse of Vanishing. Die once, and it’s gone for good.

  • Makes death feel real in survival mode - there’s no going back.

minecraft curse

Strategic Use Cases:

  • PvP players sometimes apply this curse to prevent enemies from looting their custom gear if they’re killed.

  • In roleplay or lore-heavy servers, it can be used to reinforce ideas of “legendary” items that vanish when lost in battle.

TIP

How to Remove Curses in Minecraft

Short answer: No, not through conventional means.

  • Grindstones remove all non-curse enchantments.

  • Combining with another item won’t erase a curse.

  • Mods and commands can remove curses in creative or custom setups.

  • Breaking the item (intentionally wearing it down) or dying (for Binding) is your only in-game path to freedom.

So, if you get cursed gear, weigh your options carefully. Sometimes it's better to use it until it breaks, or turn it into a twisted trophy on your wall.

How to Avoid Getting Cursed

  • Don’t blindly equip loot, especially in high-tier structures like Bastions or End Cities.

  • Use grindstones immediately to strip any surprise enchantments, but remember: curses stay!

  • Check enchanted books before combining. That “Protection IV” might have a hidden cost.

Result

Curse of Binding and Curse of Vanishing are two rare Minecraft enchantments that you can find in loot chests, via fishing, or by trading with villagers. Curse of Binding locks armor on players until they die, and Curse of Vanishing makes stuff disappear when they die. Both can be used tactically in PvP or roleplay, but players should verify enchanted gear before using it and can manage them by breaking the item or using game rules like keepInventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are curses in Minecraft?

Answer:
Curses in Minecraft are negative enchantments that add drawbacks to items instead of benefits. Unlike regular enchantments, curses cannot be removed with a grindstone, making them permanent unless the item breaks. They add an element of risk and strategy to using powerful gear found in chests, trades, or loot tables.

2. What does the Curse of Binding do in Minecraft?

Answer:
The Curse of Binding prevents players from removing the cursed armor once it’s equipped. This means you’ll be stuck wearing it until it breaks or you die. It’s often used in traps or pranks, especially with items like carved pumpkins or cursed armor pieces found in structures like End Cities.

3. What is the Curse of Vanishing in Minecraft?

Answer:
The Curse of Vanishing causes the enchanted item to disappear when the player dies, instead of dropping as loot. This curse is commonly found on weapons or tools from fishing, raids, or treasure chests. It’s particularly popular in PvP, as it prevents opponents from looting your best gear after a battle.

4. Can you remove curses from items in Minecraft?

Answer:
No, curses cannot be removed using a grindstone or anvil. The only way to get rid of a curse is by breaking the item or using commands in Creative Mode. Because of this, it’s important to double-check enchantments before applying them to valuable gear.

Enjoyed reading this guide? Check out our Blog section to discover even more fascinating insights about your favorite games! Play together with GODLIKE.

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