Sweeping Edge: Master the Minecraft Crowd Control Enchantment
What is Sweeping Edge? The Basics
Imagine this: you’re cornered in a dark cave, surrounded by a horde of snarling zombies. Each swing of your sword barely makes a dent, and you’re quickly being overwhelmed. Or picture yourself in a heated Player versus Player battle, trying to fend off multiple opponents at once. In these situations, and countless others, a single enchantment can make all the difference: Sweeping Edge. This guide will unlock the secrets of Sweeping Edge, turning you from a struggling survivor into a master of crowd control in the blocky world of Minecraft. We’ll explore what Sweeping Edge is, how it works, how to acquire it, and the best ways to use it to dominate your enemies.
Sweeping Edge is a sword enchantment in Minecraft that enhances the power of your sweeping attacks. A sweeping attack is a special type of sword attack that hits multiple enemies in a wide arc in front of you. Sweeping Edge increases the damage dealt by this sweeping attack, making it incredibly effective for clearing out large groups of mobs or damaging several players simultaneously in Player versus Player combat.
The Sweeping Edge enchantment can only be applied to swords. You can’t put it on axes, tridents, or any other weapon. If you’re looking to maximize your crowd control potential, the sword is your tool of choice.
The highest level you can achieve with the Sweeping Edge enchantment is Sweeping Edge three. Each level significantly boosts the damage dealt by your sweeping attack, so aiming for the maximum level is highly recommended.
How Sweeping Edge Works: Mechanics and Damage
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the sweeping attack itself. After a normal sword attack, there’s a short period where if you attack again, you will perform a sweeping attack. This is a wide, arcing swing that can hit multiple enemies in front of you. The sweeping attack has a slightly longer reach than a standard sword attack, and the animation is easily recognizable.
The damage calculation for Sweeping Edge is where things get interesting. Without the enchantment, the sweeping attack deals a very small percentage of the sword’s base damage. However, each level of Sweeping Edge drastically increases this damage percentage. The precise damage calculation depends on several factors, including the sword’s base damage, your Strength effect (if any), and the enchantment level.
Specifically, the amount of damage is calculated using base damage and a damage multiplier that depends on the enchantment level, ranging from thirty-three percent at level one, sixty-seven percent at level two and one hundred percent at level three.
Here’s a simplified view of how Sweeping Edge impacts damage:
| Enchantment Level | Damage Multiplier (of Sword’s Attack Damage) |
|---|---|
| Sweeping Edge one | approximately thirty three percent |
| Sweeping Edge two | approximately sixty seven percent |
| Sweeping Edge three | approximately one hundred percent |
Keep in mind that these are approximate values. The actual damage can fluctuate slightly based on armor and other damage modifiers. However, this table provides a general idea of the power increase with each level. Also, keep in mind that these damages are calculated BEFORE accounting for the mob’s armor value, which will greatly reduce damage dealt.
The range of the sweeping attack remains consistent regardless of the Sweeping Edge level. The enchantment only affects the damage output, not the area covered by the sweep.
Obtaining Sweeping Edge: Enchanting and Trading
There are several ways to acquire the coveted Sweeping Edge enchantment. Each method has its pros and cons, so let’s explore them:
Enchanting Table Method
The traditional enchanting table is the most common method. Place your sword in the enchanting table, surround it with bookshelves to increase the enchantment levels, and spend your experience points. While it’s possible to get Sweeping Edge through this method, it’s important to note that it’s not the most reliable. The enchanting table offers a random selection of enchantments, and Sweeping Edge can be quite rare to appear.
Trading with Villagers
Villager trading offers a much more consistent way to obtain Sweeping Edge. Specifically, you’ll want to find a librarian villager. Librarians are identifiable by their white robes. These villagers sell enchanted books, including Sweeping Edge. However, not all librarians will offer Sweeping Edge immediately. You may need to level them up by trading with them multiple times. As you level up a librarian, they will unlock new trades, increasing the chance of finding Sweeping Edge. Trading with villagers is, for most players, the most reliable route.
Looting Structures
Less reliably, you may sometimes find enchanted books, perhaps one with Sweeping Edge, in loot chests in structures like dungeons, temples, or mineshafts. This is highly dependent on luck but always worth keeping in mind as you explore the world.
Combining Enchanted Books in Anvil
If you have multiple enchanted books, even if none have sweeping edge, you can use an anvil to combine them to try and get the enchantment you want.
Using Sweeping Edge Effectively: Strategies and Best Practices
Now that you have Sweeping Edge on your sword, let’s discuss how to use it effectively:
Crowd Control
This is where Sweeping Edge truly shines. When faced with a large group of mobs, strategically position yourself to maximize the number of enemies within your sweeping attack range. Time your attacks carefully to hit as many mobs as possible with each sweep. A good strategy is to backpedal while swinging, keeping the mobs clustered together in front of you.
Player versus Player Combat
Sweeping Edge can also be a powerful tool in Player versus Player combat, especially in situations where you’re fighting multiple opponents. Use the sweeping attack to damage several players simultaneously, disrupting their attacks and creating openings for your teammates. Good positioning and timing are crucial for success. You can try to herd the opposing players to maximize damage.
Mob Farms
If you have a mob farm that involves player-controlled killing, Sweeping Edge can significantly increase your efficiency. By strategically positioning yourself, you can clear out large numbers of mobs with a single sweep. This can be particularly useful in farms that generate large numbers of weak mobs, such as zombie or skeleton farms.
Dealing with Armor
It’s important to remember that armor can significantly reduce the damage dealt by Sweeping Edge. The damage reduction is calculated based on the armor value of the target and other defensive enchantments they may have. While Sweeping Edge is still effective against armored opponents, it’s important to be aware of the damage reduction and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Swords and Other Enchantments: Synergies and Considerations
Best Swords for Sweeping Edge
Diamond and Netherite swords are generally considered the best choices for Sweeping Edge. They have the highest base attack damage, which translates to more damage with the sweeping attack. Netherite swords also offer increased durability and knockback resistance, making them the ideal choice for serious combat.
Recommended Enchantment Combos
Sweeping Edge works well with several other enchantments:
- Sharpness, Smite, or Bane of Arthropods: These damage enchantments directly increase the base damage of your sword, which in turn boosts the damage of the sweeping attack.
- Knockback: While not directly increasing damage, Knockback can be useful for crowd control. Knocking enemies away allows you to reposition and re-engage with another sweeping attack.
- Fire Aspect: This enchantment adds fire damage over time, further weakening your opponents after the initial sweeping attack.
- Unbreaking and Mending: Durability enchantments are essential for any combat sword. Unbreaking increases the sword’s durability, while Mending allows you to repair it using experience orbs.
Enchantments to Avoid
Be mindful of enchantments that are mutually exclusive or redundant. For example, you can’t have both Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods on the same sword. Choose the enchantment that best suits your primary target (e.g., Sharpness for general use, Smite for undead mobs).
Sweeping Edge versus Other Enchantments: A Comparison
While enchantments like Sharpness and Smite provide a direct damage increase to single target attacks, Sweeping Edge’s strength lies in its ability to damage multiple mobs simultaneously. The choice depends on the situation. For single, tough opponents, Sharpness is often preferable. But when surrounded by a horde, Sweeping Edge becomes invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Enchantment
Is Sweeping Edge available on Bedrock edition? Yes, it is available on all versions of Minecraft.
How does armor impact sweeping edge damage? The target’s armor will reduce the damage dealt.
What is the maximum level for Sweeping Edge? The highest level is Sweeping Edge three.
Conclusion
The Sweeping Edge enchantment is a powerful tool for any Minecraft player looking to master combat. Its ability to damage multiple enemies simultaneously makes it incredibly valuable in crowd control situations, Player versus Player combat, and mob farms. By understanding how Sweeping Edge works, how to obtain it, and how to use it effectively, you can transform your sword into a devastating weapon and dominate the blocky world of Minecraft. So, grab your sword, enchant it with Sweeping Edge, and go forth and conquer! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies and enchantment combinations to find what works best for you. Happy Minecrafting!
