Does Curse of Vanishing Work When Keep Inventory Is On?

The short answer is: Yes, the Curse of Vanishing does work even when the keepInventory gamerule is enabled. While keepInventory prevents you from dropping your items upon death, it does not override the effect of the Curse of Vanishing. Cursed items will still disappear when you die, regardless of the gamerule setting.

Understanding Curse of Vanishing

The Curse of Vanishing is a negative enchantment in Minecraft. Items afflicted with this curse will disappear completely upon the player’s death. This applies to items held in the inventory, equipped as armor, or even stored in the hotbar. The curse is permanent and cannot be removed by grinding, disenchanting, or any other conventional methods. It adds an element of risk and challenge, especially in multiplayer settings or hardcore mode.

The Keep Inventory Gamerule: A Safety Net

The keepInventory gamerule is a server-side setting (or world setting in single-player) that, when enabled, prevents players from dropping their items upon death. Instead of scattering across the landscape, your entire inventory remains intact and is available to you when you respawn. This setting is often used to reduce frustration and make the game more forgiving, particularly in scenarios where retrieving dropped items is difficult or impossible.

The Interaction: Curse of Vanishing vs. Keep Inventory

Despite the apparent safety net provided by keepInventory, the Curse of Vanishing operates independently. The gamerule prevents item drops, while the curse destroys the item outright. Think of it this way: keepInventory tells the game not to drop your items. Curse of Vanishing tells the game to delete a specific item on death. The game obeys both instructions: It doesn’t drop the cursed item (as instructed by keepInventory), but it does delete the item as instructed by the curse.

This means that if you die while holding an item enchanted with the Curse of Vanishing, that item will be permanently lost, even if keepInventory is enabled. You will respawn with your other items, but the cursed item will be gone.

Why This Matters

Understanding this interaction is crucial for several reasons:

• Resource Management: You need to be extra cautious when using items with the Curse of Vanishing, regardless of keepInventory. Losing a valuable tool or piece of armor can set you back significantly.

• Trading and Gifting: Be mindful when trading or gifting items, especially in multiplayer. You wouldn’t want to accidentally give someone a cursed item that they’ll lose upon death.

• Strategic Gameplay: Knowing the effects of the Curse of Vanishing can inform your decisions in challenging situations. You might opt to store a cursed item before engaging in a risky endeavor to avoid losing it.

Strategies for Dealing with Curse of Vanishing

While you can’t remove the curse itself, you can minimize its impact:

• Avoid Using Cursed Items: The simplest solution is to avoid using items with the Curse of Vanishing if possible. Store them away or trade them with villagers.

• Store Cursed Items Before Dying: If you anticipate a dangerous situation, such as exploring a difficult dungeon or fighting a boss, store any cursed items in a chest. This ensures that they won’t be lost if you die.

• Prioritize Non-Cursed Alternatives: If you have a choice between a cursed and a non-cursed item, opt for the latter. The benefits of the cursed item rarely outweigh the risk of permanent loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Curse of Vanishing and Keep Inventory

1. Can I remove the Curse of Vanishing with a grindstone?

No, a grindstone cannot remove the Curse of Vanishing. Grindstones can only remove non-curse enchantments. The curse is permanent and cannot be undone through conventional methods.

2. Does the Curse of Binding also work with keepInventory on?

Yes, the Curse of Binding also functions independently of the keepInventory gamerule. If you’re wearing an item with the Curse of Binding, you won’t be able to remove it, even with keepInventory enabled.

3. Can I transfer the Curse of Vanishing to another item through an anvil?

No, you cannot transfer the Curse of Vanishing. When combining items on an anvil, the Curse of Vanishing will remain on the original item and not transfer to the new item.

4. How can I identify an item with the Curse of Vanishing?

The Curse of Vanishing will be listed as an enchantment on the item’s description. It is usually displayed in a different color (typically purple) than normal enchantments, making it easily identifiable. Inspect the item carefully before using it.

5. Does the Curse of Vanishing affect items in my Ender Chest?

No, the Curse of Vanishing only affects items in your personal inventory (including hotbar and armor slots) at the moment of death. Items stored in your Ender Chest are safe.

6. Does the difficulty level affect how Curse of Vanishing works?

No, the difficulty level (Easy, Normal, Hard) does not change how the Curse of Vanishing functions. It works the same way regardless of the game’s difficulty.

7. Can I disable the Curse of Vanishing in creative mode?

In Creative Mode, you’re less likely to encounter death, but if you do die (e.g., from /kill), the Curse of Vanishing will still function as described.

8. Does the Curse of Vanishing work the same way in Bedrock Edition and Java Edition?

Yes, the Curse of Vanishing works identically in both Bedrock Edition and Java Edition of Minecraft.

9. If I die in lava with keepInventory on and a cursed item, will the item still vanish?

Yes, the item with the Curse of Vanishing will still vanish, even if you die in lava with keepInventory enabled. The item will be deleted from your inventory as soon as you die.

10. Can I use a command to remove the Curse of Vanishing?

Yes, you can use commands to remove the Curse of Vanishing. Specifically, you can use the /item modify command. Here is the format: /item modify entity @s mainhand remove enchantment {id: "minecraft:vanishing_curse"} Replace mainhand with offhand or the appropriate armor slot if needed. You must have operator privileges to use this command.

11. Does the Curse of Vanishing affect shulker boxes?

No, the Curse of Vanishing only affects the item itself, not the contents within. If the Shulker Box has the curse, it will vanish when you die, but the items inside will not be affected.

12. If a mob is wearing cursed armor and dies, will the armor disappear?

No, the Curse of Vanishing only applies to player deaths. If a mob wearing armor enchanted with the Curse of Vanishing is killed, the armor will drop as normal.

13. Can I get the Curse of Vanishing from fishing?

Yes, you can obtain items with the Curse of Vanishing through fishing. It’s a relatively rare catch, but possible.

14. Can I get the Curse of Vanishing from villager trades?

Yes, villagers can offer items with the Curse of Vanishing in their trades. Always check the enchantments on the item before trading.

15. Is there any way to prevent acquiring items with the Curse of Vanishing in the first place?

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to prevent acquiring cursed items. However, being cautious when opening chests in dangerous locations and carefully inspecting villager trades can significantly reduce the likelihood of obtaining them. You can also change the world seed if you find that one specific seed tends to generate a lot of cursed items. This is a last resort, as it requires you to abandon your existing world.