Are you tired of your diamond pickaxe or elytra breaking after just a few adventures? Do you dream of gear that repairs itself, ready for any challenge the Minecraft world throws your way? Then you need the Mending enchantment! This powerful enchantment repairs damaged items using experience orbs, making it an absolute essential for any serious player. However, obtaining the Mending enchantment, specifically in the form of a Mending book, can feel like a monumental task. Many players spend countless hours searching and still come up empty.
Don’t despair! Acquiring a Mending book isn’t impossible. In fact, there are several tried-and-true methods available to Minecraft players. Each approach offers unique advantages and disadvantages, requiring different levels of preparation, resource investment, and luck. The “best” method truly depends on your specific playstyle, current resources, and how much patience you possess. This guide will explore each of these methods in detail, providing you with the knowledge you need to choose the most efficient path to obtaining your coveted Mending book. Let’s dive into the world of Mending and discover the best ways to secure this game-changing enchantment.
Trading with Villagers for Mending
One of the most reliable, albeit sometimes frustrating, methods for obtaining a Mending book is through villager trading. Specifically, you’ll need to find a Librarian villager. These villagers, easily identified by their white robes and spectacles, offer various enchanted books in exchange for emeralds and a regular book. The process involves locating a villager, providing them with a Lectern (their workstation), and repeatedly breaking and replacing the Lectern until the villager offers a Mending book trade.
The process might sound tedious, and it can be! However, with a little preparation, you can significantly increase your chances of success. First, locate a village. Villages are commonly found in plains, savanna, and desert biomes. Once you’ve found a village, start looking for unemployed villagers. These villagers have no specific job and will take on the role of a Librarian if provided with a Lectern.
To create a Lectern, you’ll need four wooden slabs and one book. Place the book in the center of the crafting table and surround it with the wooden slabs. Place the Lectern near an unemployed villager. They should automatically claim the workstation and transform into a Librarian. Once they’ve changed profession, interact with them to view their trade offers.
If the Librarian isn’t offering a Mending book, break the Lectern and immediately replace it. This will cause the Librarian to lose their profession and then reclaim it, generating a new set of trade offers. Repeat this process until a Mending book appears in their trade list.
There are several advantages to this method. While it can be time-consuming initially, once you have a Librarian offering a Mending trade, you can acquire multiple Mending books relatively easily. Furthermore, if you encounter a zombie villager, you can cure them by throwing a Splash Potion of Weakness on them and then feeding them a Golden Apple. Curing a zombie villager permanently discounts their trade prices, making Mending books significantly cheaper in the long run.
However, there are also drawbacks. This method is heavily reliant on Random Number Generation (RNG), meaning you could spend a considerable amount of time breaking and replacing Lecterns before finding a Mending book. It also requires a steady supply of emeralds and books, which can be resource-intensive to obtain. Finally, there’s always the risk of losing your Librarian to zombies or other hostile mobs, so make sure to protect them!
If your villager isn’t changing trades after breaking and replacing the Lectern, make sure they’re not locked into a specific trading schedule. Villagers will only reset their trades twice per day, so you might need to wait a little while and try again. Also, ensure that the villager has access to a bed – they need to sleep to reset their work cycle.
The Patience Game: Fishing for Mending
For those who prefer a more relaxed and passive approach, fishing can be a viable option for obtaining Mending books. Fishing in Minecraft involves casting a fishing rod into water and waiting for a fish to bite. However, fishing can also yield treasure items, including enchanted books. While the chance of catching a Mending book is relatively low, the process can be made more efficient with the right equipment and techniques.
To maximize your chances of catching treasure, you’ll need a fishing rod enchanted with Luck of the Sea. This enchantment increases the chance of catching treasure items. You can also add the Lure enchantment, which reduces the wait time for fish to bite. A fully enchanted fishing rod will significantly improve your fishing odds.
Find a body of water that’s at least two blocks deep and surrounded by open space. This will prevent you from accidentally hitting land when casting your line. Cast your fishing rod into the water and wait for the bobber to be pulled under. When the bobber disappears, quickly reel in your line to catch whatever you’ve hooked.
The advantages of fishing are that it’s relatively easy to set up and can be done passively while you’re doing other things. You can also create automated fishing farms that allow you to AFK (Away From Keyboard) fish, accumulating resources while you’re not actively playing. Furthermore, fishing provides a steady supply of food and other useful resources.
The main disadvantage is the low probability of obtaining a Mending book. You could spend hours fishing and still not find one. The process can also be quite repetitive and potentially boring for some players.
For advanced fishing, consider using specific bait to attract certain fish types. You can also build structures around your fishing spot to protect yourself from hostile mobs. Experimenting with different locations and techniques can help you optimize your fishing results.
Exploring Structures: Loot Chests and Mending
Another method for finding Mending books involves exploring generated structures and looting chests. Dungeons, mineshafts, temples, and strongholds all contain chests with valuable items, and occasionally, a Mending book can be found within. While this method relies heavily on luck, it can be a rewarding experience for players who enjoy exploration and adventure.
Mineshaft libraries are known to have increased rates of enchanted books spawning inside of the chests, that may be a good place to start if you want to use this method.
The advantage of looting chests is the potential for a quick reward. You might stumble upon a Mending book within the first few chests you loot. It also offers the added benefit of exploring the Minecraft world and discovering new structures. Additionally, you’ll likely find other valuable resources along the way, such as diamonds, iron, and other enchanted items.
However, looting chests is highly unreliable. There’s no guarantee of finding a Mending book, and you might spend hours exploring without success. Furthermore, exploring generated structures can be dangerous, as they are often filled with hostile mobs. You’ll need to be well-equipped with armor, weapons, and potions to survive.
To efficiently search for loot chests, use a map to navigate and mark explored areas. Pay close attention to corridors and intersections, as these are common locations for chests. Be careful when opening chests, as some may be trapped. Always be aware of your surroundings and prepared for a fight.
Hero of the Village: Raids and Rewards
For players who enjoy a challenge, triggering and defending a village raid can be a viable method for obtaining Mending books. When you defeat a raid in a village, you receive the Hero of the Village status effect. This effect causes villagers to throw gifts at you as a sign of gratitude, and these gifts can include valuable items such as emeralds, diamonds, and, yes, even Mending books.
To trigger a raid, you need to find a pillager outpost and kill the pillager captain. The captain is easily identified by the banner they carry on their back. Killing the captain will give you the Bad Omen status effect. Then, simply enter a village with the Bad Omen effect to trigger a raid.
Raids can be incredibly difficult, especially in the early game. You’ll need to be well-prepared with strong armor, weapons, and potions. Building walls around the village and creating defensive positions can help you protect the villagers and fend off the attackers.
The advantage of the raid method is the potential for a large reward. You’ll not only have a chance to get Mending books but also gain a significant amount of emeralds and other valuable resources. However, raids can be extremely dangerous, and there’s a high risk of losing villagers during the attack. This method also requires considerable preparation and strong gear.
When preparing for a raid, focus on protecting the villagers. They are essential for your success. Build walls around their houses and create safe zones where they can take shelter during the attack. Use golems and other defensive measures to help fend off the pillagers.
Choosing Your Path to Mending
So, what is the best method of getting Mending books? As we’ve explored, it depends entirely on your individual circumstances and preferences.
- Early Game: If you’re just starting out, fishing might be your best option, as it requires minimal resources. However, be prepared for a long grind.
- Mid Game: Trading with villagers becomes a more viable option once you have a steady supply of emeralds. Building a villager trading hall can be a worthwhile investment.
- Late Game: Raids can be a great option if you’re looking for a challenge and have the resources to defend a village.
The Most Efficient Approach: A Combination of Methods
In reality, the most efficient approach might involve combining multiple methods. For example, you could fish for a while to gather resources and then use those resources to set up a villager trading hall. You could also explore generated structures while keeping an eye out for pillager outposts.
Ultimately, the best way to get Mending books is to experiment and find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try different methods and adapt your strategy as needed. With a little patience and persistence, you’ll eventually acquire the Mending enchantment and enjoy the benefits of self-repairing gear for years to come. Good luck in your search for Mending, adventurer!
