Complete Bane of Arthropods Guide: Effects, Max Level, and Best Alternatives

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The arrival of the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update shook up melee weapon progression by introducing the heavy mace. Crafted from a breeze rod and a heavy core, this weapon brought kinetic falling damage and an entirely distinct combat loop to survival play.

Crucially, modern weapon updates revised sword and axe enchantments while adding unique mace systems. When examining Mace enchantment compatibility, developers allowed standard offensive modifiers, including Smite and Bane of Arthropods, to be applied directly onto the weapon alongside mace-specific options like Density, Breach, and Wind Burst.

However, placing Bane of Arthropods on a mace introduces severe opportunity costs. Density boosts damage for every block fallen, synergizing directly with the weapon's core smash attack mechanic. Breach strips away enemy armor values. Smite allows aerial strikes to decimate armored wither skeletons in Trial Chambers.

Wasting the mace's mutual exclusivity slot on arthropods makes little sense. Spiders do not wear armor, and their low health pool is instantly obliterated by a standard falling mace strike regardless of whether you have an enchantment applied. Consequently, Bane remains largely relegated to secondary swords and utility axes rather than modern heavy weaponry.