Minecraft Enchanting: The Basics
Enchanting adds special effects to your tools and gear. It can look intimidating at first with its strange runes and level numbers, but once you know what to prepare and in what order, it's easy to get started.
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Building an enchanting table
An enchanting table needs 2 diamonds, 4 obsidian, and 1 book. Since a book itself requires 3 paper and 1 leather, it's worth gathering sugar cane and leather early if you're planning to set up enchanting.
Bookshelves raise your enchanting level
Placing bookshelves around the enchanting table unlocks access to higher-level enchantments. Leave a one-block gap between the table and the shelves, and filling out the full arrangement opens up access to much stronger enchantments.
Spending experience levels to enchant
To enchant something, place a tool or weapon on the table and spend the experience levels you've collected to pick one of the offered options. You can't know exactly which enchantment you'll get in advance -- the runes only offer a hint.
Combining enchantments precisely with an anvil
Since the enchanting table alone makes it hard to get exactly the enchantment you want, many players collect enchanted books and combine them with gear on an anvil instead, which allows for much more precise, intentional combinations.
FAQ
Can enchanting fail?
There's no true 'failure,' but none of the three options the table offers might be what you're after. If that happens, gathering more experience or books and trying again is the usual approach.
How many bookshelves do I need?
To reach the maximum enchanting level (level 30), you need 15 bookshelves arranged in the specific layout around the table.