Can You Get Mending 1 From Fishing in Minecraft?
Absolutely! Mending 1 enchantment books can indeed be fished up from water sources in Minecraft, just like regular fish. While fishing might not be the most action-packed activity, it’s a reliable way to acquire this incredibly valuable enchantment. Think of it as a relaxing pastime with the potential for a game-changing reward! Let’s dive deeper into the mechanics, probabilities, and strategies for maximizing your chances of landing that elusive Mending book.
The Allure of Mending: Why Bother Fishing?
Mending is arguably one of the most sought-after enchantments in Minecraft, and for good reason. It allows you to repair your tools, weapons, and armor using experience points (XP). Instead of constantly crafting new gear, Mending essentially grants your items infinite durability. This is a game-changer, especially for tools like pickaxes enchanted with Fortune or Silk Touch, or armor sets decked out with powerful protections. By fishing for a Mending book, you are investing in the longevity and efficiency of your entire gameplay experience.
Understanding the Fishing Mechanics
Fishing in Minecraft involves casting a fishing rod into a body of water and waiting for a bite. When a bite occurs, you reel in the line to catch the item. What you catch can be anything from a simple fish to valuable treasure. The type of item you catch depends on several factors, including:
- The type of water body: Open water with at least a 5x4x5 block space surrounding the bobber improves your chances.
- The presence of rain: Rain increases the fishing rate.
- The enchantments on your fishing rod: This is where things get interesting.
Enchanting Your Fishing Rod: Maximizing Your Chances
While you can technically catch a Mending book with an unenchanted fishing rod, your chances are significantly lower. To drastically improve your odds, you need to enchant your fishing rod with specific enchantments:
- Luck of the Sea: This enchantment increases your chances of catching treasure items, which includes enchanted books like the Mending book. The higher the level of Luck of the Sea, the better your chances.
- Lure: While Lure doesn’t directly increase your chances of catching treasure, it reduces the waiting time between bites. This means you can fish more frequently, effectively increasing the number of chances you have to catch a Mending book.
- Unbreaking: While not directly related to treasure, Unbreaking increases the durability of your fishing rod. This means your enchanted rod will last longer before needing repair, saving you resources and time.
Where to Fish: Location Matters
The location of your fishing spot can also affect your success. As mentioned, open water is key. Here are some good practices:
- Make sure the bobber of your fishing rod is surrounded by at least 5x4x5 blocks of water. This ensures the game registers the spot as a valid fishing location.
- Consider fishing during rain, as it speeds up the bite rate.
- Avoid fishing in small, enclosed water sources.
Fishing: Patience is a Virtue
Even with an optimally enchanted fishing rod and a prime location, catching a Mending book can still take time. Remember that the chance of catching a Mending book through fishing is relatively low (around 0.8% without Luck of the Sea). Be patient and persistent, and eventually, you’ll likely reel in that coveted enchantment.
Beyond Fishing: Other Ways to Obtain Mending
While fishing is a viable method, it’s worth noting that Mending can also be obtained through other means:
- Trading with Librarian Villagers: This is often considered the most reliable method. Keep refreshing the trades of unemployed villagers until one offers Mending.
- Looting Treasure Chests: Mending books can be found in chests in structures like jungle temples, strongholds, and ancient cities.
- Raid Drops: [BE only] Mending books can sometimes drop after successfully completing a raid.
The Fun of the Hunt, and Learning Along the Way
While the quest for a Mending book can feel grindy at times, remember to enjoy the process. Minecraft is all about exploration, experimentation, and learning. Fishing can be a relaxing activity that allows you to appreciate the game’s environment and mechanics. It’s a great way to learn about resource management, enchantment strategies, and the probabilities that govern the Minecraft world. To learn more about learning through gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, a community dedicated to exploring the educational potential of games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mending and Fishing
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the details of obtaining Mending in Minecraft:
1. What are the exact chances of getting Mending 1 from fishing?
The base chance of getting an enchanted book (which could be Mending) from fishing is around 0.8%. This percentage increases significantly with the Luck of the Sea enchantment. The exact increase depends on the level of the enchantment.
2. How does Luck of the Sea affect the chances of getting Mending?
Luck of the Sea increases the probability of catching treasure items, which include enchanted books. Luck of the Sea III will significantly boost the chance of getting treasure over junk or fish.
3. What’s the best level of Luck of the Sea for fishing?
Luck of the Sea III is the highest level and will give you the best chance of catching treasure.
4. Does Lure enchantment help in getting Mending books faster?
Yes, Lure reduces the waiting time between bites, which means you can fish more frequently and increase your overall chances of catching a Mending book. It does not directly affect the quality of the catches, only the speed.
5. Can I get Mending from fishing in any water source?
While technically possible, it’s best to fish in open water with a 5x4x5 block space around the bobber for optimal results. Small, enclosed water sources are less efficient.
6. Is it better to fish during rain for Mending?
Yes, rain increases the fishing rate, which means you’ll get more bites and therefore more chances to catch a Mending book.
7. What other enchantments should I put on my fishing rod besides Luck of the Sea and Lure?
Unbreaking is a good addition to increase the durability of your fishing rod. Mending itself is also a great enchantment to put on your fishing rod, making it have basically infinite durability.
8. What is the maximum level for the Mending enchantment?
The maximum level for the Mending enchantment is Level 1 (Mending I). There is no Mending II or higher.
9. Can I combine two Mending I books to get a higher level?
No, you cannot combine two Mending I books. Mending only has one level. Combining them will simply result in another Mending I book.
10. What’s the difference between Mending and Unbreaking?
Mending repairs the item using XP, while Unbreaking increases the item’s durability. They complement each other well, as Unbreaking makes the item last longer, and Mending repairs it when it takes damage.
11. Is Mending a treasure enchantment?
Yes, Mending is classified as a treasure enchantment, meaning it can only be obtained from specific sources like fishing, trading, or loot chests.
12. Can I get Mending as a first trade from a Librarian Villager?
Yes! Mending can be the first trade offered by a Librarian villager, making it a highly desirable profession to seek out.
13. Does Mending work on all items in Minecraft?
Mending can be applied to most tools, weapons, and armor, but there are exceptions. For example, it cannot be applied to items like fireworks or written books.
14. Can I have both Mending and Infinity on a bow?
No, Mending and Infinity are mutually exclusive on a bow. You must choose one or the other. Infinity is better on bows.
15. Is fishing the best way to get Mending?
Fishing is a viable method, but trading with Librarian villagers is generally considered the most reliable way to obtain Mending. Exploring structures and looting chests is also a worthwhile pursuit. Fishing, though less efficient, offers a more relaxing and potentially rewarding experience.
By understanding the mechanics, probabilities, and strategies outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue the Mending enchantment through fishing. Good luck, and happy fishing!