What Does Density Do in Minecraft?

Density Enchantment Minecraft (1.21)

In Minecraft server hosting The Density enchantment on the mace increases damage per fallen block. Each level adds 0.5 extra damage per block fallen, so the mace’s damage output scales with your fall distance before the hit. Players who like vertical combat can turn simple falling into massive burst damage.

TL;DR

• Density boosts mace damage based on how far you fall before the hit.
• Formula: extra damage = 0.5 × level × blocks fallen.
• Max level is Density V. That is +2.5 per block on top of the mace’s base damage.
• Works only on the mace. A successful smash negates your fall damage.
• Great with vertical play: Wind Charge, Elytra drops, ladders, slime towers, ledges in Trial Chambers.
• Typically mutually exclusive with Breach; pick one playstyle.

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How Density actually works

Density rewards vertical aggression. When you start a swing while falling and connect before landing, the game adds bonus damage per block you fell. The base mace deals 6 damage with 0.6 attack speed; Density stacks on top of that.

A simple way to think about it: count the safe falling space you used before the hit, multiply by the enchantment’s per-block value, then add the mace’s base damage. If you miss and touch the ground first, the bonus is lost and you take fall damage as usual.

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Examples

• Density III, 6-block drop → +0.5×3×6 = +9. Base 6 → 15 total (before armor and resistances).
• Density V, 8-block drop → +0.5×5×8 = +20. Base 6 → 26 total.
  Real outcomes vary with armor, Protection, Resistance, and mob traits, but the scaling is easy to plan around.

Good to know

• The swing must connect during the fall. If you land, the bonus is gone.
• A successful Density hit cancels your fall damage, letting you dive repeatedly once you get the timing down.
• Works in Java Edition 1.21 and parity updates on Bedrock as the mace arrives to Survival.

Maximum level and numbers

The maximum level is Density V. At Density V the mace gains +2.5 damage per block fallen. Example: from ten blocks you add 25 extra damage on top of the mace’s base hit. This is why even a short jumping start can change the damage dealt dramatically.

How to get Density enchantment in Minecraft

You can obtain Density through an enchanting table in Java Edition, as an enchanted book from structures and Trial Chambers vaults, or by trading with high-level librarian villagers. In survival this is the most consistent way to unlock the enchantment without cheats.

Density vs. Breach: Which Is Better?

In terms of raw power, "Density" surpasses "Breach." However, its effectiveness depends on playstyle: without frequent use of wind charges or the "Wind Burst" enchantment, its advantage is less noticeable. If you don’t plan to attack from above, "Breach" will likely be a more useful choice.

Compatibility with other enchantments

Density is incompatible with Breach on the same mace. You choose either raw height-based power or armor-piercing utility. The mace still supports other enchantments such as Mending and Unbreaking; Sharpness does not apply to maces.

In short, pick Density for burst attacking from above, or Breach for consistent combat against armored enemies in flat spaces like caves and corridors.

Maximum level and scaling

• Maximum level: V
• Per block bonus: +0.5 damage per level
• At V: +2.5 per block
  There is no tiny soft cap inside the enchantment itself; the practical limit is how high you can fall and still land the hit consistently without dying if you miss.

How to get Density

You apply Density to a mace the same ways you handle other combat books:

• Enchanting table: roll books or the mace directly.
• Looted enchanted books: structure chests, including new 1.21 content such as Trial Chambers, plus classic loot locations.
• Commands and data packs for servers and custom maps.

After you get the book, use an anvil to combine it with your mace. The mace is found through Trial Chambers gameplay; it is not a craftable vanilla weapon.

Mace Stats and Damage

Without any potions or modifications, the mace has an attack speed of 0.6 and deals six damage on a fully charged hit, equal to three hearts. If the player falls more than 1.5 blocks before striking, additional damage is applied: four extra damage for the first three blocks, two for the next five blocks, and one additional damage for each block beyond that.

Mace vs. Sword

A Netherite sword has an attack speed of 1.6 and deals eight damage per fully charged hit. Additionally, it can strike multiple targets at once, making it effective in group fights.

When choosing between a mace and a sword, the decision depends on the situation. In confined spaces like caves or narrow Trial Chamber hallways, a sword is often the better choice, especially against unarmored enemies. However, if you can consistently attack from above, the mace becomes a powerful tool for dealing high single-target damage.

Smart builds and synergies

• Feather Falling helps when you miss a swing. It does not change Density’s bonus but saves runs.
• Strength, weakness, resistance still apply. Density is additive to base damage before mitigation.
• Mob quirks: big bosses have large health pools and damage reduction sources. Density shines, but do not expect guaranteed one-hits without heavy setup.

FAQ

What does Density do in Minecraft?

It increases mace damage by a fixed amount per block fallen before the hit.

What is the max level?

V, granting +2.5 damage per block.

How do I get it?

Enchanting table rolls, enchanted books from structures such as Trial Chambers, or commands. Apply via anvil.

Does Density stack with Breach?

Treat them as alternatives. Servers and current builds generally consider them incompatible on the same mace.

Does Density prevent fall damage?

Yes, if the Density swing connects mid-air. Miss the hit and you take the fall.

Conclusion

Density is a clean, skill-expressive enchantment that turns the mace into a vertical burst weapon. If your fights allow drops, glides, or Wind Charge movement, it outpaces flat-ground options by a mile. If you cannot leave the floor, switch to Breach or keep a second mace for cramped spaces.

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