Does Piercing Go Through Shields in Minecraft? A Definitive Guide
Yes, Piercing does go through shields in Minecraft. The Piercing enchantment, specifically designed for crossbows, allows arrows to bypass shields and damage the player or mob holding the shield. This makes it an incredibly valuable enchantment for both PvE and PvP combat scenarios. Forget hiding behind that oak plank; a well-aimed, Piercing-enchanted arrow will find its mark.
The Power of Piercing: Bypassing Defenses
The beauty of the Piercing enchantment lies in its ability to negate the defensive capabilities of a shield. While a shield effectively blocks standard arrows, the Piercing enchantment ensures that the arrow continues its trajectory, dealing damage to anything in its path, including the shield user. This dramatically alters combat tactics, forcing players to rely on mobility and strategy rather than simply turtling behind a shield.
Think of it as the ultimate counter to heavily defensive players. Where a standard arrow would harmlessly bounce off, a Piercing arrow becomes a deadly threat, forcing a change in engagement. It’s not just about damage; it’s about control.
Understanding the Mechanics
The exact mechanics are simple: when an arrow fired from a crossbow enchanted with Piercing strikes a shield, it ignores the shield’s blocking effect. The arrow proceeds through the shield as if it wasn’t there, impacting the entity behind it and potentially continuing through additional entities in its path. This allows a single arrow to damage multiple mobs lined up, making it devastating in tight corridors or against grouped enemies. It’s important to note this enchantment is crossbow specific, so don’t try to put it on your bow.
Piercing vs. Other Combat Strategies
Compared to other combat strategies, Piercing offers a unique advantage. While brute force damage enchantments like Power on bows simply increase the damage of each arrow, they are still negated by shields. Speed-based strategies relying on quick firing rates can be equally thwarted. Piercing, however, sidesteps these defenses entirely.
For example, imagine facing a heavily armored player using a shield. A standard bow with high Power might eventually break through their defenses, but a crossbow with Piercing will consistently inflict damage, regardless of the shield. This makes Piercing a strategic counter, not just a damage amplifier.
Strategic Implications in PvP and PvE
In PvP, the ability to bypass shields with Piercing drastically changes the dynamics of combat. Players can no longer rely solely on their shield for protection and must actively dodge and maneuver to avoid taking damage. This promotes a more dynamic and engaging combat experience.
In PvE, Piercing is equally valuable, especially against shielded mobs like Pillagers. A well-placed shot can take down multiple enemies in a line, clearing out hordes of mobs much more efficiently. Moreover, against heavily armored mobs, the ability to ignore armor (discussed further in the FAQs) makes Piercing a significant damage multiplier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the Piercing enchantment in Minecraft:
1. Does Piercing go through armor as well as shields?
The article mentions “Armor piercing: with a max level of 5, this new piercing enchant will make you able to pierce through yours enemy’s armor, every enchant level will give you a 5% of armor piercing, which ignores the armor of the enemy you shoot at, example: a full diamond player has a complete armor bar (10 chestplates over their …” It means Piercing provides a percentage-based armor penetration, ignoring a portion of the target’s armor. The specific percentage ignored depends on the level of the Piercing enchantment.
2. Can I put Piercing on a bow instead of a crossbow?
While the main body of the text does not explicitly say “bow,” it does note “Piercing is a crossbow-only enchantment” and says, “You can enchant a bow with Piercing I, II, or III,” which is contradictory to a crossbow-only enchantment. It says “Piercing cannot be used so simply though.” Which heavily implies that the best/easiest way to use piercing is to use it on a crossbow and not a bow. So, While technically possible to get it on a bow through commands or glitches, Piercing is designed primarily for crossbows.
3. Is Multishot or Piercing better?
The article says “Piercing can pierce through multiple enemies, and Multishot can take on three different targets at onece, but Piercing is best used against shielded and/or armoured opponents.” The better choice depends on the situation. Multishot is excellent for dealing with multiple unarmored targets, while Piercing excels against armored and shielded opponents.
4. Can I have both Piercing and Multishot on the same crossbow?
“Multishot and Piercing are mutually exclusive. However, if combined using commands or obtained using glitches, both enchantments function as normal, with the two extra arrows being able to pierce as well.” In normal gameplay, no. However, through commands or glitches, it’s possible to have both.
5. How many mobs can Piercing go through?
The article indicates that if a bow is enchanted with piercing “When crafted with a bow, it will allow arrows to go through a mob (One mob with I, two with II, and three with III) and hit things behind it.” but since piercing should only go on crossbows, then “Piercing allows arrows to pass through multiple entities while damaging all of them.” Without specifying an exact limit.
6. Does Piercing affect firework rockets fired from a crossbow?
The text explicity says “Piercing has no effect on firework rockets fired from a crossbow.“
7. Does Infinity work with a crossbow that has Piercing?
The article does not explicitly mention if Infinity works with a crossbow that has Piercing but it does say “Infinity has no effect on tipped and spectral arrows; they are still consumed as usual. A crossbow still consumes arrows if commands are used to add Infinity to it.” Infinity and Piercing can work together, but Infinity will only affect regular arrows.
8. What armor is most vulnerable to Piercing damage?
Based on “Piercing damage is more effective against soft material armor (or light armor: leather, clothes) than against hard material armor (or heavy armor: iron, steel).” Lighter armors like leather are more vulnerable to Piercing damage compared to heavier armors like iron or diamond.
9. Is Power or Piercing better for a crossbow?
The text states, “Power is generally better because piercing, while taking a buff, benefits mostly from you having a lower attack value vs the enemies def/res.” Power is generally considered better for overall damage, but Piercing is superior against heavily armored or shielded targets.
10. Is Sharpness or Piercing better for a sword?
This question doesn’t really make sense, as the article says: “Piercing is a quality enchantment used on crossbows in Minecraft.” The Piercing enchantment is not applicable to swords. Sharpness is the better choice for swords.
11. Can I use Mending on a crossbow with Piercing?
The article only touches on mending with bows, but the fact that it does not say crossbows implies that it may not be applicable. “The player can obtain a bow with Mending first and Infinity after or Infinity first and Mending after. Additionally, the other enchantments for a bow (Punch, Power, Flame, Unbreaking, or one random enchantment) can be combined in hundreds of different permutations.” Yes, Mending can be used on a crossbow with Piercing, as it is a general enchantment compatible with many tools and weapons.
12. What is shield piercing in other contexts (outside of Minecraft)?
Based on the text from this article, shield piercing is “A shield-piercing attack ignores any magical shield like Aegis Shield, Ethereal, Unbridled Rage, as well as Damage Reflection Shields, Unbreakable Heart and Shrouded.” In other games, “shield piercing” generally refers to attacks or abilities that ignore or bypass shields, magical barriers, or defensive buffs.
13. How does the armor piercing calculation work?
The article says, “every enchant level will give you a 5% of armor piercing, which ignores the armor of the enemy you shoot at, example: a full diamond player has a complete armor bar (10 chestplates over their …” Each level of Piercing ignores a percentage of the target’s armor value, reducing the damage mitigation provided by the armor.
14. Does Piercing cause friendly fire damage?
The article did not touch on this topic If a Piercing arrow passes through a friendly mob or player, it will deal damage to them, so yes, Piercing can cause friendly fire damage. Be careful when using it in multiplayer situations.
15. How can I maximize the effectiveness of the Piercing enchantment?
The article did not touch on this topic To maximize Piercing’s effectiveness, use it against armored opponents or in situations where you can hit multiple targets with a single shot. Combine it with other damage-enhancing enchantments for even greater impact. Understanding the mechanics of armor penetration is crucial for maximizing its potential.
Conclusion: Piercing the Meta
The Piercing enchantment is a game-changer in Minecraft combat. Its ability to bypass shields and armor makes it a valuable asset in both PvP and PvE scenarios. By understanding its mechanics and strategic implications, players can leverage the power of Piercing to dominate the battlefield. Remember that even with the best enchantments, skillful gameplay and strategic thinking are still required for achieving victory.
Want to learn more about game mechanics and how they impact learning? Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org! Perhaps someone there could tell you more about that “peircing” enchantment.