Bows have a durability value in Minecraft that can be determined by a bar under the bow’s inventory icon. The durability of a bow significantly diminishes whenever you use it, whether to shoot arrows or charge a shot. However, players can use bows on an ongoing basis, as bows cannot shatter or become completely unusable.
In Minecraft, players typically repair a bow when they want to restore it to full or nearly full durability after it has sustained notable damage. If you have an enchanted bow or a bow with unique characteristics that you want to keep, this is extremely helpful. Despite getting damaged, bows in Minecraft continue to function throughout, serving as reliable equipment for both archers and explorers.
You may save your bow’s functionality and extend its utility in your adventures by following the instructions we provide in this article on how to repair a bow in Minecraft.
Materials Required to Repair a Bow in Minecraft
In Minecraft, you will need the following materials to repair a bow.
#1. Damaged Bow
It should be possible to find a broken bow in your inventory, or if you’ve been using a bow for a while, you can check its durability to see if it needs to be repaired.
#2. Another Bow
You will need another bow of the same type (normal or enchanted) to use as a repair material. You can use the above image to help you craft a bow on the crafting table using sticks and string.
#3. Anvil
Players can create an anvil in Minecraft by using the recipe shown in the image above, which involves three iron blocks and four iron ingots.
#4. Crafting Table
Place one wooden plank in each space of the 2×2 grid, forming a square arrangement with four wooden planks. This will give you a crafting table.
Different Ways to Repair a Bow in Minecraft
Depending on the version of Minecraft you’re playing, you have different options to repair your bow. Given below are the various methods you can use to repair your damaged bows and give durability to them.
➡️ Anvil Method
- Follow the previous instructions to create the anvil.
- Gather supplies related to repairs. A broken bow and another bow of the same kind are necessary.
- Right-click on the anvil to open it.
- Insert the second bow into the second slot and the damaged bow into the first.
- The anvil’s GUI output slot will display a solid arc. Select the repaired bow and take it from the output slot to continue repairing if you have sufficient experience levels.
➡️ Crafting Table Method
If you are playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition or “Legacy Console Edition” (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch), you can repair the bow with a crafting table.
- Right-click on the crafting table to open it.
- Put a broken bow and another bow of the same type into any of the crafting slots.
- The fixed bow will appear in the results box of the crafting table.
- Add the repaired bow to your inventory from the crafting table.
NOTE: The durability of both bows will be combined when repairing a bow using these methods. A repaired bow will hold its life better if one of the bows has high durability. Additionally, players can combine enchantments from both bows, but they cannot combine incompatible enchantments like Force and Flame.
When and How Many Times Can You Repair a Bow in Minecraft?
In Minecraft, players can repair a bow multiple times until it reaches its maximum durability. The repairability of a bow depends on its original durability, the materials used for repairs, and the number of previous repairs.
The following are some common situations in which bow repair may be necessary.
➡️ Low Durability
Repairing your bow will keep it functional in battle and prevent it from breaking at crucial moments when the stamina bar is low or nearly empty.
➡️ Valuable Enchantments
You can keep invaluable spells like Force, Flame, or Infinity on your bow by repairing it. Enchantments can significantly enhance your bow’s performance, boosting its power and versatility for improved effectiveness.
➡️ Protection of Resources
In situations where resources are limited or valuable, players can find that repairing an existing bow offers a more cost-effective solution compared to starting from scratch. It allows for resource conservation and increases the life of your current bow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining the functionality and longevity of bows in Minecraft requires skill in repairing them. You can repair a bow using either the anvil method or the crafting table method to restore its durability and continue to use it in your adventures. You can craft a repaired bow with greater durability by fusing a damaged bow with another bow of the same type. It is important to note that players can only fix a bow so many times before it reaches its maximum threshold. That’s why it’s essential to handle repairs with care and make sure you have the necessary supplies to keep your bow in top condition for your Minecraft adventures.
Creating a bow requires strings. Not sure how to acquire them? Check out our guide on how to get strings in Minecraft!
