Trident
Rare melee and ranged weapon dropped by Drowned, throwable in rain and effective underwater, with unique enchantments for loyalty, lightning, and propulsion.
Description
Exclusive enchantments define different play styles: Loyalty (I–III) returns the weapon automatically after throwing; Riptide (I–III) launches the player forward when thrown in water or rain, replacing the normal throw; Channeling summons a lightning bolt on mobs struck during thunderstorms. Impaling (I–V) deals bonus damage against aquatic mobs. Loyalty and Riptide are mutually exclusive, as are Riptide and Channeling.
Trident excels in underwater combat, bypassing the movement and attack-speed penalties that affect other weapons. Combined with Depth Strider boots and an Aqua Affinity helmet it forms a full aquatic combat kit. On land a Riptide trident serves as rapid transit during rain.
Java & Bedrock Guide
How to get and use a Trident in Minecraft
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1
Find Drowned holding a trident
Search oceans and rivers at night, or in deep dark water. Only Drowned that visibly hold a trident can drop one; in Java this is about 6.25% of Drowned.
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2
Defeat them for the drop
Kill trident-wielding Drowned. The base drop chance is 8.5%, and each level of Looting adds roughly 1%. A drowned farm makes large-scale collection reliable.
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3
Enchant the trident
Use an enchanting table, anvil, or villager to apply Loyalty, Riptide, Channeling, or Impaling. Loyalty and Riptide cannot coexist, and neither can Riptide and Channeling.
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4
Throw or melee
Press use to throw the trident for 8 damage; with Loyalty it flies back to you. Without Riptide you can also melee for 9 damage, which beats a diamond sword.
Tridents were added in version 1.13 and cannot be crafted — Drowned are the only source. Channeling only summons lightning during a thunderstorm and when the target stands in open rain.
Related blocks
Frequently asked questions
Can you craft a Trident in Minecraft?
No. Tridents cannot be crafted. The only way to obtain one is as a drop from a Drowned that spawns holding a trident.
What is the drop chance of a Trident?
A trident-holding Drowned has an 8.5% base drop chance in Java Edition, increased by roughly 1% per level of Looting.
Is the Trident better than a sword?
In melee it deals 9 damage, more than a diamond sword's 7, and it works at range and underwater, but its attack speed is slower than a sword.
What enchantments can a Trident have?
Loyalty, Riptide, Channeling, Impaling, Unbreaking, Mending, and Curse of Vanishing. Loyalty and Riptide cannot be combined, nor can Riptide and Channeling.
Can a Trident be repaired?
Yes. Combine two damaged tridents in an anvil, or use Mending to repair it with experience orbs.
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