Mace in Minecraft 1.21
The mace is a new weapon added in the 1.21 update (Tricky Trials). Its main mechanic is the smash attack: the longer you fall, the more damage you deal when you hit. A hit after a 10-block fall kills most mobs in a single blow. To craft it you need a Heavy Core from a Trial Chamber vault and a Breeze Rod from a Breeze, and you will find both only in Trial Chambers.
Crafting the mace
The mace needs two unique ingredients, both available only in Trial Chambers:
- Breeze Rod - dropped by the Breeze, a mob that shoots wind charges. It drops 1-2 rods.
- Heavy Core - a rare reward from vaults in Trial Chambers. The chance of finding one is low, so be ready to open a lot of vaults.
At a crafting table, stack one Breeze Rod and one Heavy Core vertically in the middle column. The recipe is simple, but getting the materials takes exploring and fighting in Trial Chambers.
/locate structure trial_chambers.
Weapon stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Durability | 500 |
| Attack range | Standard (melee) |
The mace's strength lies not in its base stats but in the smash attack, which scales with the height you fall from.
The smash attack
This is the mace's key mechanic: if you hit a mob while falling, the damage grows with the distance you have fallen. Every block of falling adds extra damage to the attack. Importantly, a successful smash attack negates fall damage, so you don't lose any health yourself.
A smash attack also creates a shockwave that knocks back nearby mobs. The knockback range depends on the fall height: after a big fall, mobs within a few blocks are thrown back.
You have to actually be falling (not gliding on an elytra and not standing on the ground). You have to hit the mob before you land. If you miss, you take the full fall damage. That is why accuracy is key.
Mace enchantments
The mace has three unique enchantments that exist on no other weapon:
Density (I-V)
Adds extra damage for every block you fall. It is the mace's most important offensive enchantment.
Breach (I-IV)
Reduces the effectiveness of the target's armor. Breach IV cuts armor protection by 60%. This is especially useful in PvP, where opponents wear netherite armor. It matters less in PvE, because most mobs have weak armor or none at all.
Wind Burst (I-III)
After a successful smash attack it launches you back into the air. Wind Burst III lets you chain smash attacks without climbing up again. You hit a mob, bounce up, fall and hit again. It is a loop that gives you a series of powerful strikes.
Universal enchantments
The mace also accepts Mending, Unbreaking (I-III) and Curse of Vanishing.
For boss fights: Density V + Mending + Unbreaking III. For PvP: Breach IV + Wind Burst III + Mending + Unbreaking III. Density and Breach are mutually exclusive.
Strategies and combos
Wind charge launcher
Use a wind charge (an item crafted from breeze rods) at your feet to launch yourself into the air, then do a smash attack with the mace. It is faster than building a tower: a wind charge gives you about 6 blocks of height, which is enough for solid damage.
Riptide + mace
While it is raining, use a trident with Riptide aimed upward, swap to the mace mid-flight and do a smash attack. Riptide III gives you a huge height, which means huge damage. It is one of the strongest combos in the game.
Fighting the Wither and the Ender Dragon
A mace with Density V can deal over 100 damage after a fall from a great height. The Wither has 300 HP, so 3-4 smash attacks can finish it. Against the Ender Dragon, time your hit for when the dragon perches on the fountain: it sits still and is easy to hit.
Wind Burst chain
With Wind Burst III you can stay in the air almost without a break. You hit a mob, bounce, fall and hit again.
Mace vs other weapons
| Feature | Mace | Netherite sword | Trident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max damage (situational) | 150+ (smash) | 11 (Sharpness V) | 21.5 (Impaling V) |
| Durability | 500 | 2,031 | 250 |
| Range | Melee | Melee | Melee + throw |
| Requirements | Trial Chambers | Nether | Drowned |
The mace doesn't replace the sword in everyday fights: on level ground the sword has a better DPS. The mace is a situational weapon, great for boss fights, high-ground PvP and combos with the wind charge. In the right conditions, nothing beats it.