Minecraft Combat Overhauls: Is Bane of Arthropods Worth Crafting on Weapons in 2026?
Putting Bane of Arthropods on your primary diamond or Netherite sword remains a mistake for open exploration. Doing so leaves you underpowered against Creepers, Piglins, Endermen, and Illagers. The real efficiency lies in crafting secondary tools.
In Java Edition, axe strikes possess high base damage coupled with a slower attack cooldown. An iron axe with Bane of Arthropods V instantly eliminates cave spiders and standard spiders without requiring full critical jump timing. This turns an inexpensive utility axe into a dedicated sidearm when excavating abandoned mineshafts.
For Bedrock Edition players, where weapon cooldown timers do not exist, a fast-swinging Bane of Arthropods sword clears infested silverfish blocks instantly. When silverfish erupt from broken blocks, hitting one without killing it signals every nearby block to burst open. A single-shot kill mechanism prevents cascading silverfish hordes entirely.
