Does Infinity Work with All Arrows in Minecraft?

The simple answer is: No, the Infinity enchantment in Minecraft does not work with all types of arrows. Specifically, Infinity only works with regular arrows. This means that if you have a bow enchanted with Infinity, you can fire regular arrows indefinitely as long as you have at least one in your inventory, without consuming the arrow. However, Tipped Arrows and Spectral Arrows will still be consumed when shot from an Infinity-imbued bow. Understanding this distinction is crucial for players looking to maximize their archery skills and conserve valuable resources.

Infinity Enchantment: How It Works

The Infinity enchantment is a popular choice for Minecraft archers due to its ability to eliminate the need for constantly replenishing regular arrows. When a bow is enchanted with Infinity, it allows players to fire limitless regular arrows, as long as they possess at least one in their inventory. The arrow count in your inventory will not decrease as you fire, granting virtually infinite ammunition for regular shots.

However, this powerful enchantment comes with a critical limitation. While it provides endless ordinary arrows, special arrows like Tipped Arrows (arrows with potion effects) and Spectral Arrows (glowing arrows) are not affected by Infinity. These special arrows will be consumed as usual when shot from an Infinity-enchanted bow. Therefore, if you plan to use Tipped or Spectral Arrows, you will still need a steady supply.

This limitation forces players to carefully choose which arrow type to use based on their current needs and situation. Regular arrows are readily available and perfect for general combat, while special arrows offer strategic advantages, but they’re not as sustainable for prolonged encounters.

Why Not All Arrows? The Game Balance Perspective

The limitation of Infinity to regular arrows seems to be a deliberate design choice by Mojang to maintain a sense of balance in the game. If Infinity worked with all types of arrows, players could infinitely utilize powerful potion effects or glowing visuals.

This would significantly devalue the effort required to craft and collect special arrows. The current system encourages players to consider carefully the use of tipped arrows and spectral arrows, making them a tactical option rather than a permanent default.

The trade-off is that while you have a limitless supply of regular arrows, you must manage your inventory when using special arrows. This distinction adds a strategic element to Minecraft’s combat, requiring players to consider the best tools for each encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Infinity and Arrows

1. Can you pick up arrows shot with Infinity?

No, arrows shot from a bow enchanted with Infinity cannot be picked up. They vanish upon impact or when they disappear due to the game’s mechanics. This ensures that you cannot create a self-generating source of arrows even with the Infinity enchantment.

2. Can you combine Infinity and Mending on a bow?

No, Infinity and Mending are mutually exclusive. You cannot have both enchantments on the same bow. This is because Mojang deemed the combination to be overpowered. Players must choose between having endless arrows (Infinity) or a self-repairing bow (Mending).

3. What can you pair with Infinity on a bow?

Infinity can be paired with other enchantments like Power, Punch, and Flame. These enchantments enhance the damage, knockback, and fire aspect of your arrows, making your bow more effective in combat.

4. Is Mending or Infinity better?

This largely depends on personal preference and play style. Infinity saves inventory space by eliminating the need to carry stacks of regular arrows. Mending makes your bow virtually indestructible, as it repairs itself with experience points. Both are valuable, and the choice depends on whether you prioritize infinite ammunition or bow durability.

5. Can you get an Infinity bow from a mob?

A skeleton horseman may rarely drop a bow enchanted with both Infinity and Mending. However, this is exceptionally rare due to the rarity of skeleton horsemen themselves. For practical purposes, you are better off obtaining the enchantments yourself.

6. How many times can you repair an Infinity bow?

If you were to repair an Infinity bow with an anvil and another bow, it would have a repair limit of five times. However, after the fifth repair, the bow cannot be repaired using this method, making Mending the preferred durability option for most players.

7. Can you put Mending on a trident?

Yes, you can put Mending on a trident. Tridents can also have other enchantments like Unbreaking, Loyalty, and Impaling. Tridents are a powerful weapon choice to put Mending onto.

8. What are the best tipped arrows to use?

The best tipped arrows vary by situation, but some of the most useful include: Instant Damage arrows (for extra damage), Instant Health arrows (for quick healing), and Slowness arrows (for slowing down enemies).

9. How do you get the Infinity enchantment?

You can obtain the Infinity enchantment through an enchantment table using Lapis Lazuli or by finding enchanted books via fishing, looting, or trading with villagers.

10. Can you combine Unbreaking and Mending?

Yes, you can combine Unbreaking and Mending on the same item. Unbreaking increases durability, while Mending repairs the item using experience points, providing the ultimate combination of durability and self-repair.

11. Is Unbreaking III worth it if you have Mending?

Yes, Unbreaking III is still valuable even with Mending. Unbreaking III significantly slows the rate at which your item loses durability, thus decreasing how often the Mending enchantment has to mend your gear. Both enchantments combined will make your gear extremely durable.

12. Does Unbreaking and Mending make an item last forever?

When Unbreaking and Mending are combined on the same item, it will last a very long time, effectively “forever” for many players. As long as you are actively gaining experience while using the item, it will be self-sustaining through Mending.

13. Is Mending 1 max?

Yes, the maximum level for the Mending enchantment is Level 1. You cannot obtain or apply any level of Mending higher than I.

14. Is a crossbow better than a bow in Minecraft?

Both crossbows and bows are viable weapons. Crossbows are more powerful and have longer range, but they take longer to load. Bows, especially with enchantments, provide faster, more frequent attacks. The best choice depends on your preferred play style and combat strategy.

15. Can you put Mending on armor?

Yes, you can put Mending on armor. This is a very common and extremely useful choice. Mending, combined with Unbreaking, makes your armor very durable and almost impossible to break.

Final Thoughts

While the Infinity enchantment is excellent for providing a never-ending supply of regular arrows, it’s important to understand its limitation. Infinity does not work with Tipped or Spectral arrows; these special arrows will still be consumed when shot from an Infinity bow. This constraint is intentional and forces players to make strategic decisions about which arrows to use, thereby adding a balanced layer to Minecraft’s combat system. Knowing these nuances ensures you can maximize your archery skills and be better prepared for all challenges in the game.