Why Did Minecraft Make Axes Better Than Swords?
Minecraft, a game known for its freedom and emergent gameplay, has a surprising depth to its combat system. For years, swords reigned supreme as the go-to weapon, but a significant shift occurred: axes became viable, and in many ways, superior combat options. This wasn’t an accidental change, but rather a deliberate design choice with the goal of adding depth and strategy to the game’s combat. The primary reason why Minecraft made axes better than swords boils down to balancing utility with power. Axes were initially designed as the primary tool for gathering wood, but the developers recognized their potential for combat, albeit with drawbacks. To make axes a compelling choice, they were granted higher base damage, giving players a reason to consider the less nimble, but harder-hitting option in battle.
The decision was less about making axes “better” and more about creating a meaningful trade-off. Swords retain their faster attack speed, making them more reliable for consistent damage output, especially against faster or multiple enemies. Axes, on the other hand, reward calculated and powerful hits, appealing to players who prefer a more strategic approach. This balance introduces a layer of choice in combat, moving beyond simply using the most readily available weapon and forcing players to adapt to different scenarios. In essence, the shift is not about declaring axes the “best” but rather about creating a more diverse and engaging combat ecosystem within Minecraft.
Axes vs. Swords: A Detailed Comparison
To truly understand why axes were buffed, it’s important to break down the specific differences between them and swords.
Damage and Attack Speed
The most significant change is the damage disparity. Axes generally inflict significantly more damage than swords of the same material. For example, a diamond axe does 9 points of damage, while a diamond sword only does 7. A wooden axe even has the same base damage as a diamond sword. However, this extra damage comes at a cost; axes have a longer cooldown time than swords. This means you can attack more frequently with a sword but will land harder individual blows with an axe.
Durability
Another critical factor is durability. Using an axe in combat inflicts double the durability damage compared to using it for its intended purpose of chopping wood. This is a significant drawback that reinforces the idea that axes are powerful but expensive weapons to utilize consistently. This makes them less suitable for prolonged battles unless you are prepared to repair or replace them frequently.
Combat Mechanics
Minecraft’s combat system since the 1.9 update and beyond, includes a cooldown mechanic. This means that there’s a short delay between attacks to avoid the rapid-clicking “spam attack” style of combat seen previously. Axes have a longer cooldown than swords which means players using an axe have to wait a little longer between attacks. Players have to make each swing count which favors a methodical combat style.
Enchantments
Both axes and swords can be enchanted with weapon-specific enchantments, but the effectiveness of some enchantments can vary. For example, a sword enchanted with Sweeping Edge becomes more effective against multiple enemies, whereas an axe will not benefit from this effect.
Why the Shift? The Design Philosophy Behind the Change
The move to make axes viable combat tools reflects a broader design philosophy employed by Mojang:
- Strategic Gameplay: By providing players with more combat options, Minecraft encouraged players to think strategically about which weapon to use in specific situations.
- Variety and Engagement: It made combat more engaging by moving beyond a single dominant weapon choice, fostering experimentation and encouraging players to play in different styles.
- Realism and Logic: Even within the fantastical world of Minecraft, axes have a clear, understandable role. In real life, axes deliver more force than swords, and Mojang has incorporated this real-world logic into their game.
- Balancing of the Game: Ultimately, this change allowed the game to move away from a linear, simplistic combat experience towards a more nuanced, challenging, and satisfying system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do axes do more damage than swords in Minecraft?
Yes, axes generally do more base damage than swords made of the same material in Minecraft.
2. Is a wooden axe as powerful as a diamond sword?
Yes, a wooden axe has the same base damage as a diamond sword.
3. Do axes break faster than swords in combat?
Yes, when used in combat, axes lose durability twice as quickly as when used for their intended purpose.
4. Which is better for mob farming, axe or sword?
It often depends on the farming method. For single target damage, axes can be great, but for situations where multiple mobs are in range, the faster attack speed and sweeping enchantments of a sword often make it better.
5. Why do axes have a longer cooldown than swords?
Axes have a longer cooldown to balance their higher damage output, preventing them from being overpowered compared to swords.
6. Does a Netherite sword do more damage than a diamond axe?
A Netherite sword does do slightly more damage than a diamond axe and has higher durability, however, it still does less damage than a Netherite axe.
7. Are axes better than swords in Bedrock Edition?
No, in Bedrock Edition, axes do not have the same combat advantages as in Java Edition. They actually do 1 less damage than swords. So, swords are usually preferred in Bedrock Edition.
8. Why do some Minecraft YouTubers use axes over swords?
Some Minecraft YouTubers prefer axes because they allow for higher burst damage, which can be useful in specific situations or for particular playstyles. It often comes down to personal preference.
9. Does Sweeping Edge work with axes?
No, the Sweeping Edge enchantment only works on swords.
10. Can axes break shields?
Yes, axes can disable shields for a short period when used in combat.
11. Can you enchant axes with Sharpness?
Yes, axes can be enchanted with Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods, just like swords.
12. Is an enchanted stone axe better than a diamond sword?
An enchanted stone axe can potentially do more damage than a non-enchanted diamond sword, but it will also be less durable. If they are both enchanted, it would depend on the enchantments in question.
13. Are axes better than swords in real life?
In real life, axes and swords were used for different purposes. Axes were powerful for breaking through shields and armor, whereas swords were better for quick attacks and slashing damage. The “better” one depends on the situation.
14. Do axes have any other benefits besides damage?
Axes are crucial for chopping wood and they can also be used to disable shields.
15. Can Unbreaking prevent an axe from breaking?
The Unbreaking enchantment reduces the chance of durability loss, meaning an axe with Unbreaking will last longer, but it will still eventually break.
In conclusion, Minecraft’s decision to make axes viable combat weapons wasn’t about making them inherently “better” than swords. Instead, it was about diversifying combat and providing players with a meaningful choice between power and speed, which adds more strategy and depth to the game. The balance between axes and swords in Minecraft has evolved over time, but the current implementation emphasizes the need for players to adapt their weapon choices to specific situations.