How To Get Unbreaking 3 In Minecraft
Unbreaking 3 is one of the most coveted enchantments for tools, weapons, and armor in Minecraft. It dramatically extends the durability of an item, letting you use it far longer before it breaks. Whether you’re a seasoned miner or a new adventurer, mastering the process to obtain Unbreaking 3 can save you countless resources and time.
What Unbreaking Actually Does
The Unbreaking enchantment reduces the chance that an item loses durability when it is used. At level 3, each use has only a 6.25% chance of consuming durability, meaning the item lasts roughly 16 times longer than an unenchanted counterpart. This effect applies to swords, pickaxes, shovels, axes, bows, fishing rods, and armor pieces.
Prerequisites Before You Start
- Access to a fully functional enchanting table with at least 15 bookshelves placed one block away.
- Sufficient experience levels – typically 30 + levels for a high‑level enchantment.
- Lapis Lazuli (the required material for enchanting).
- Optional: an anvil and enchanted books if you prefer combining enchantments.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Obtain Unbreaking 3
1. Gather Experience Levels
Unbreaking 3 is a high‑level enchantment, so you’ll need a solid pool of experience. The most efficient ways to earn XP include:
- Mining coal, redstone, lapis lazuli, and especially diamond ore with a Fortune‑enchanted pickaxe.
- Smelting items in a furnace or blast furnace; each smelted item grants 0.1 XP.
- Farming mobs in a mob farm or breeding animals; each kill or birth provides XP.
- Completing advancements and trading with villagers.
Aim for at least 30–35 levels before you approach the enchanting table.
2. Build the Enchanting Setup
Place the enchanting table on a flat surface and surround it with bookshelves. The optimal configuration is a one‑block gap between the table and each bookshelf, forming a square or rectangle. With 15 bookshelves, the table can offer enchantments up to level 30, which is necessary for Unbreaking 3.
3. Enchant Directly at the Table
Open the enchanting interface, place the item you wish to enchant in the slot, and add 1–3 lapis lazuli. The three options shown will display the enchantment level and the approximate XP cost. Look for the option that lists “Unbreaking III” among the possible enchantments. If it appears, select it and confirm the transaction.
If Unbreaking 3 does not appear, you have two choices:
- Replace the item with a different one of the same type (e.g., a new diamond pickaxe) and try again.
- Spend a few levels, remove a bookshelf, then replace it to randomize the enchantment pool.
4. Using an Anvil and Enchanted Books
Many players prefer the reliability of enchanted books. To obtain a Unbreaking 3 book:
- Enchant a book at the table until “Unbreaking III” appears. This may require several attempts.
- Alternatively, find a Unbreaking 3 book in loot chests, fishing, or trading with librarian villagers.
- Place the book and the target item in an anvil. The cost is typically 2–3 levels plus a durability penalty on the item.
Using an anvil guarantees the exact enchantment you want, eliminating the randomness of the table.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Unbreaking 3
Maximize Bookshelf Count
While 15 bookshelves are enough for level 30 enchantments, adding up to 30 bookshelves (the maximum allowed) can slightly improve the distribution of high‑level enchantments, giving you a better chance of seeing Unbreaking 3 on the table.
Combine Enchantments Strategically
If you receive a lower‑level Unbreaking (e.g., Unbreaking II) on an item, you can combine it with a Unbreaking III book on an anvil. The result will be Unbreaking III, and the total XP cost is often lower than re‑enchanting the item from scratch.
Use a Grindstone Wisely
Should you end up with an unwanted enchantment, a grindstone can strip the item of all enchantments, returning a portion of the XP. This allows you to retry without losing the original tool.
Alternative Ways to Acquire Unbreaking 3
Loot Chests
Unbreaking 3 books can be found in several generated structures, including:
- End city treasure rooms.
- Woodland mansion chests.
- Stronghold libraries.
- Buried treasure.
Exploring these locations not only yields the enchantment but also provides valuable gear and resources.
Fishing
Treasure‑category catches have a small chance to include enchanted books. Using a fishing rod with Luck of the Sea III and Lure III increases the odds of obtaining a Unbreaking 3 book.
Villager Trading
Librarian villagers can offer enchanted books as trade items. By resetting a librarian’s trades (using a lectern and changing their profession), you can eventually obtain a Unbreaking 3 book for emeralds.
Conclusion
Getting Unbreaking 3 in Minecraft is a blend of preparation, patience, and a bit of luck. By building a proper enchanting setup, gathering enough experience, and leveraging anvils or alternative sources like loot chests and villagers, you can reliably equip your tools and armor with this powerful durability boost. Once you master the process, you’ll spend less time repairing gear and more time exploring the vast world of Minecraft.