ENCHANTMENTS · PROTECTION

Protection in Minecraft - Anvil Cost & Compatibility

Reduces most types of damage. Doesn't stack with the more specialised protections in any meaningful way.

Max Level

4

Book Cost

1/lvl

Conflicts

Fire Protection, Blast Protection, Projectile Protection

Treasure

No

Added

vanilla

AD

Anvil Calculator

Optimal order · XP cost · Too-Expensive guard
0 = brand new. Every anvil use raises this by 1.

Pick the gear you want to enchant. Books you add below will be merged onto it in the cheapest order we can find.

Books / sacrifices (1)
Version
Optimize for

Compatible items

How to get Protection

  • Enchanting table: Surround a level 30 table with 15 bookshelves and roll until Protection appears.
  • Villager trading: Reroll librarian villagers until one stocks Protection.
  • Loot: Bastions, end cities and trial chambers regularly drop enchanted gear with Protection.
AD

Anvil cost worked example

Applying a level-4 Protection book onto a brand-new item costs 4 XP levels (book multiplier 1 times level 4). Adding it on top of an item that has already been on the anvil once raises the cost by another 1 level for the prior-work penalty; twice and the penalty jumps to 3; three times, 7; and so on by 2^n - 1.

Pair Protection with cheap stuff first if you can - Unbreaking and Mending have low multipliers and don't conflict, so they're usually the cheapest path to a full endgame loadout.

Pair Protection with

FAQ

What does Protection do in Minecraft?
Reduces most types of damage. Doesn't stack with the more specialised protections in any meaningful way.
What is the maximum level of Protection?
Protection caps at level 4.
Which items can have Protection?
Helmet, Chestplate, Leggings, Boots, Turtle Shell.
What enchantments conflict with Protection?
Protection cannot share an item with Fire Protection, Blast Protection, Projectile Protection.
How much XP does Protection cost on the anvil?
Each level of Protection adds bookMultiplier 1 times the new level to the anvil cost. At max level (4) that is 4 XP plus any prior-work penalty.

More protection enchantments