The Breach enchantment in Minecraft is a game-changing mace enchantment that allows your attacks to penetrate enemy armor, reducing its effectiveness by up to 60% at maximum level. This powerful enchantment, introduced in the 1.21 Tricky Trials update, completely transforms PvP combat by making heavily armored opponents vulnerable to your strikes. Whether you're dominating in PvP battles or taking down armored mobs, Breach ensures your hits count where they matter most.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Enchantment Type | Mace-only |
| Maximum Level | IV (4) |
| Armor Reduction | 15% per level (60% max) |
| Best For | PvP combat |
| Added In | Minecraft 1.21 |
| Incompatible With | Density, Smite, Bane of Arthropods, Sharpness, Impaling |
Breach is a specialized enchantment designed exclusively for the mace weapon in Minecraft. Unlike traditional damage-enhancing enchantments like Sharpness, Breach works by reducing the effectiveness of your target's armor rather than directly increasing your weapon's damage. This unique mechanic makes it particularly devastating against heavily armored opponents in PvP scenarios.
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When you strike an enemy with a Breach-enchanted mace, the enchantment calculates damage as if the target's armor was significantly less effective. At Breach IV (the maximum level), you can reduce an opponent's armor effectiveness by a staggering 60%, making even the most heavily armored players vulnerable to your attacks.
The Breach enchantment follows a precise damage calculation formula:
This means that for each level of Breach, your target's armor effectiveness is reduced by 15 percentage points. For example:
Breach affects:
Breach does NOT affect:
This distinction is crucial - Breach will penetrate base armor but won't reduce the additional protection from enchanted armor pieces with Protection enchantments.
Breach can be obtained through several legitimate methods in Minecraft:
| Platform | Version Available |
|---|---|
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.21+ |
| Bedrock Edition (PE, Xbox, PS4, Switch, Windows 10) | 1.21.0+ |
| Education Edition | 1.21.03+ |
| Legacy Console Editions | Not Available |
For players who prefer using commands, here are the enchantment commands across all platforms:
Java Edition:
Bedrock Edition (all platforms)
Breach cannot be combined with the following enchantments on the same mace:
The choice between Breach and other mace enchantments depends on your gameplay focus:
Choose Breach if:
Choose Density if:
Choose Smite if:
The effectiveness of Breach becomes apparent when examining damage comparisons against armored opponents:
Against Full Protection IV Netherite Armor:
Against Full Protection IV Iron Armor:
In Bedrock Edition, Breach IV mace actually outperforms Sharpness V netherite sword in DPS against targets wearing diamond armor or better. This is due to the absence of attack cooldown mechanics in Bedrock Edition, making maces with Breach the superior choice for PvP in armored combat scenarios.
The mace has unique mechanics that synergize perfectly with Breach:
For maximum effectiveness with Breach:
Against Shield Users:
Against Heavy Armor:
Breach shines brightest in PvP environments:
In single-player survival, Breach has limited utility:
While not ideal for most mob farms, Breach can be useful in:
Reality: Breach only works on maces. It cannot be applied to swords, axes, or any other weapon type.
Reality: While Breach IV offers maximum penetration, consider your specific needs. Breach II might be sufficient for your PvP style and easier to obtain.
Reality: Breach only affects base armor, not Protection enchantments or Resistance effects. A player with Protection IV enchanted armor still receives significant damage reduction.
Reality: Most mobs don't wear armor, making Breach less useful in general survival. Smite or Density are often better choices for mob-focused gameplay.
Breach is a mace enchantment that reduces the effectiveness of target armor by 15% per level, up to 60% at level IV. It allows your attacks to penetrate enemy armor more effectively.
Breach has a maximum level of IV (4), not V as some sources incorrectly state. At level IV, it reduces armor effectiveness by 60%.
No, Breach can only be applied to maces. It is exclusive to this weapon type introduced in Minecraft 1.21.
No, Breach only affects base armor protection. It does not reduce the effectiveness of Protection enchantments or Resistance status effects.
Breach is primarily designed for PvP combat and has limited use in survival mode since most mobs don't wear armor. Smite or Density are generally better choices for survival gameplay.
You can obtain Breach through enchanting tables, enchanted books, villager trading, loot chests, or fishing. It's available in Minecraft 1.21+ (Java) and 1.21.0+ (Bedrock).
Breach is incompatible with Density, Smite, Bane of Arthropods, Sharpness, and Impaling. You cannot have these enchantments on the same mace as Breach.
Yes, Breach is available in Bedrock Edition starting from version 1.21.0. In fact, Breach IV mace has higher DPS than Sharpness V netherite sword in Bedrock PvP.
The Breach enchantment represents a significant shift in Minecraft's combat meta, particularly for PvP enthusiasts. By allowing mace users to penetrate up to 60% of enemy armor at maximum level, Breach transforms the dynamics of armored combat and makes heavy armor builds less dominant in player versus player scenarios.
While not as useful for general survival gameplay, Breach excels in its intended role as an armor-penetrating enchantment for competitive play. When combined with the mace's unique height-based damage mechanics and strategic use of items like wind charges, Breach creates exciting new possibilities for aggressive, high-skill combat.
As Minecraft continues to evolve with updates like 1.21, enchantments like Breach demonstrate Mojang's commitment to keeping combat fresh and engaging. Whether you're a PvP veteran looking to dominate the battlefield or a curious player exploring new mechanics, mastering the Breach enchantment will give you a significant edge in Minecraft's ever-expanding combat landscape.
Remember to bookmark this guide and check back regularly for updates as Minecraft continues to evolve. The meta may shift, but understanding core mechanics like Breach will always give you an advantage in the world of Minecraft combat!