How Rare is Mending? A Deep Dive into Minecraft’s Most Coveted Enchantment

Mending, the enchantment that allows your precious tools and armor to repair themselves using experience, is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after abilities in Minecraft. But just how rare is it? In short, obtaining Mending is relatively rare, especially when compared to enchantments you can simply roll on an enchanting table. Its rarity stems from the fact that it’s classified as a “treasure enchantment,” meaning you can’t directly enchant items with it. Instead, you have to acquire Mending books through specific methods, each with its own set of probabilities. Let’s break down the odds:

• Villager Trading (Librarians): This is generally considered the most reliable method, but it requires some effort. Villagers, specifically Librarians, can offer Mending books in exchange for emeralds. The probability of a villager offering Mending as one of their trades is variable and depends on several factors, including the villager’s profession (Librarian), the number of available trades, and a level of randomness. A villager’s initial trade selection involves rolling through available enchantments, with Mending being one of the possibilities. Some estimations claim a 1/36 chance for a specific Librarian villager’s first trade being Mending. However, this assumes all enchantments are equally likely, which isn’t guaranteed. The most effective strategy involves repeatedly breaking and replacing a Librarian’s lectern until they offer the desired Mending book, which can be tedious.

• Fishing: Fishing with an enchanted rod offers a chance to catch treasure, including enchanted books. The base chance of catching treasure is already low, and then you have to factor in the chance of the treasure being an enchanted book, and then the chance of that book being Mending. Estimates suggest around a 0.8% chance of fishing up an enchanted book, meaning the chance of obtaining Mending via fishing is extremely slim without “Luck of the Sea” enchantment. Using a Luck of the Sea III fishing rod significantly improves your odds, but it’s still not a reliable source of Mending.

• Looting Chests: Mending books can be found in chests scattered throughout various structures, including dungeons, mineshafts, strongholds, Nether fortresses, and woodland mansions. While this offers a chance, the probability of finding Mending in a chest is quite low. Strongholds are generally considered to have the highest chances compared to other structures. The drop rates are structure-specific and generally range from very low to low. So, while possible, it’s far from guaranteed.

• Enchanting Table: While not a direct source of Mending, the Enchanting Table could grant it as a side enchantment with a 1% chance from a max leveled enchantment (requires 30 XP levels). But this method is more like a lottery – the odds are slim.

Ultimately, the rarity of Mending boils down to the fact that it’s a treasure enchantment with a low probability of appearing through any single method. Persistence and optimization of your chosen method are key to increasing your chances of acquiring this invaluable enchantment. Remember, the thrill of the hunt is part of the Minecraft experience!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mending

What villager sells mending?

Only Librarian villagers can sell Mending books. There are no natural swamp villages, so this means that you will have to be created, which begins with finding a swamp biome. It involves creating, protecting, and manipulating villagers to get the desired trades.

Is there only mending 1?

Yes, the maximum level for the Mending enchantment is Level 1 (Mending I). There’s no higher-level version of the enchantment.

Can you fish a mending book?

Yes, you can fish up a Mending book, but the chances are low. It’s estimated around 0.8% of getting an enchanted book. The Luck of the Sea enchantment significantly increases your chances of finding treasure, including enchanted books.

How many emeralds is mending 1?

The cost of a Mending book from a villager typically ranges between 10 and 38 emeralds. Discounts can be obtained by curing zombie villagers or by applying the Hero of the Village effect after defending a village from a raid.

What is the highest level for mending?

The highest level for the Mending enchantment is Level 1 (Mending I). It repairs durability based on experience gained.

Can librarians sell mending?

Yes, Librarian villagers are the primary source for acquiring Mending books through trading. They can sell all types of treasure enchantment books, including Mending. You’ll need a lectern to assign them the Librarian profession.

Do I need Unbreaking if I have mending?

While not strictly necessary, combining Mending with Unbreaking is highly recommended. Mending repairs the item, while Unbreaking reduces the rate at which durability is lost, making your items last even longer. Mending AND Unbreaking III is what you would want on any piece equipment like base enchantments.

Do villagers despawn?

No, villagers are not supposed to despawn under normal circumstances. However, there are rare bugs that can cause them to disappear, especially if their beds are located on chunk borders.

How do you farm mending books?

The most effective method for farming Mending books involves setting up a villager trading hall with multiple Librarian villagers. Repeatedly break and replace their lecterns until they offer the desired Mending book. You will also need a Villager breeder.

How do you get mending easy?

There’s no easy way to get Mending. The most reliable method is through villager trading. Find a villager breeder, create a Librarian, and repeatedly reset their trades until they offer a Mending book. Dungeons, Mineshafts, Strongholds, Nether Fortresses and Woodland Mansions have a chance to drop Mending Books, too.

Can you get infinity from an enchantment table?

Yes, the Infinity enchantment can be obtained through the enchanting table. However, it’s also available through enchanted books found in loot chests or through villager trading.

Can elytra break?

Yes, elytra have durability and can break. However, they can be repaired using phantom membranes at an anvil or by applying the Mending enchantment. When the durability of the Elytra reaches 1 point, it will stop working completely.

How much XP does Netherite give you?

Mining Netherite scrap doesn’t directly grant XP. However, smelting Netherite scrap in a furnace or blast furnace grants 2 experience points per scrap.

Does mending work on elytra?

Yes, Mending works perfectly on elytra. As you fly and gain experience, the elytra will be repaired, preventing it from breaking. Elytra can also be repaired in the player crafting grid, by combining two damaged pairs of elytra together.

Does mending work on a trident?

Yes, Mending works on tridents. It allows the trident to repair itself using experience orbs collected. Combining it with Loyalty is especially effective, as you’ll consistently gain XP as you use the trident.

Crafting in Minecraft is more than just building structures; it’s about problem-solving, resource management, and creative expression. Much like the design thinking process, Minecraft challenges players to identify needs, brainstorm solutions, prototype ideas, and test them in a dynamic, interactive environment. For educators interested in integrating game-based learning into their curriculum, the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org offers a wealth of resources and insights.