So you're wondering how to get the Mace in Minecraft? You're definitely not alone. Ever since this brutal weapon dropped in the 1.21 update, I've seen dozens of players struggling through Trial Chambers only to walk away empty-handed. Honestly, my first five attempts ended with me rage-quitting after getting knocked off cliffs by those annoying Breezes. But after finally crafting my first Mace last month, I'm here to save you the headache.
What Exactly Is the Minecraft Mace?
Picture this: you're falling from a tall build, about to splat on the ground, but instead you swing this heavy weapon downwards and obliterate any mob below you. That's the Mace. It's not like regular swords or axes - it rewards risky play and perfect timing. The higher you fall from, the more damage it deals. I've one-shot Wither Skeletons from 8 blocks up, which felt amazing after dying to them so many times.
But here's the catch that nobody tells you: if you mistime your swing, you'll take full fall damage. My first successful Mace kill ended with me at half-heart because I got too excited and swung too early. Total rookie mistake.
Mace Stat | Base Value | Max Potential |
---|---|---|
Regular Damage | 7 HP | - |
Smash Attack Damage | +250% per block fallen | 25.5 HP (from 15 blocks) |
Durability | 250 uses | Unbreakable with Mending |
Step-by-Step: How to Get Mace Minecraft
Let's cut straight to the chase. Getting the Mace isn't complicated, but it does require surviving one of Minecraft's toughest new areas. Here’s exactly what worked for me after multiple failed attempts:
Finding Breeze Rods
You'll need to hunt Breezes in Trial Chambers. These windy pests only spawn in specific brick rooms with monster spawners. I wasted hours searching regular caves before realizing they're chamber-exclusive. Pro tip: look for rooms with chiseled tuff bricks and lava pits - that's where I've had the most spawns.
Breezes drop 0-2 rods per kill (average 1.2 in my experience). Their wind attacks will knock you around, so bring:
- Shield (blocks their projectiles)
- Feather Falling boots (for when they blast you off ledges)
- Bow with Punch II (keeps them at distance)
Got my first rod on the third Breeze kill. Felt great until I fell into lava immediately after. Don't celebrate too early.
Crafting Your First Mace
Once you've got a Breeze Rod, the recipe is simple but expensive:
- 1 Breeze Rod (center of crafting grid)
- 1 Heavy Core (directly below rod)
- 6 Flow Armor Trim (surrounding other ingredients)
Wait, Flow Armor Trim? Yeah, that's the hidden grind. You'll need to loot multiple Trial Vaults (those locked chests in chambers). Each vault gives 0-1 trim, and you need six. Took me three full chamber clears to get enough, and honestly? The drop rates kinda suck.
The Heavy Core only drops from Ominous Vaults during raids. Bring milk to counter Bad Omen unless you want constant pillager attacks.
Material | Where to Find | Avg. Time Required | My Personal Tip |
---|---|---|---|
Breeze Rod | Breeze mobs in Trial Chambers | 30-60 minutes | Use cobwebs to trap them |
Flow Armor Trim | Trial Vaults | 2-4 hours | Break spawners after clearing rooms |
Heavy Core | Ominous Vaults (raid level 3+) | 45-90 minutes | Build raid farm near village |
Making the Most of Your Mace
Now that you've got it, let's talk real usage. The Mace isn't something you swing wildly like a sword. Timing is everything. Here's what I've learned from dying (a lot):
Mastering the Smash Attack
The magic happens when you're falling. Wait until you're about 1-2 blocks above your target, then attack. Success feels like driving a truck through a mob - super satisfying. But miss? You'll eat full fall damage plus whatever the mob hits you with.
Effective heights I've tested:
- 4 blocks: 13.5 damage (decent for creepers)
- 8 blocks: 19 damage (kills most overworld mobs)
- 15 blocks: 25.5 damage (kills anything except bosses)
Build practice towers with hay bales at bottom. Saved me tons of health potions when learning the timing. Still remember my first perfect Enderman smash after 20 failed tries!
Repairing and Maintaining
Your Mace loses durability fast if you use it for regular attacks. To repair:
- Combine two damaged maces on crafting grid
- Use anvil with Breeze Rods (1 rod = 25% durability)
Mending works too, but it's slow unless you've got XP farms. Honestly, I prefer stocking extra rods from Breeze hunting sessions. Much faster.
Why Bother Getting The Mace?
Look, I'll be real - grinding for the Mace is painful. Between the Flow Armor Trims and Heavy Core, you might spend 5+ hours just gathering materials. But when you one-shot a fully armored player in PvP from a tower? Pure dopamine. Totally worth the grind.
That said, if you hate:
- Platforming challenges
- RNG-based loot systems
- Dying to fall damage constantly
...maybe stick with swords. The Mace has a steep learning curve.
Mace vs Other Weapons
Weapon | Max Damage | Ease of Use | Best For | My Preference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mace | 25.5 HP | Hard | Ambushes, PvP | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Netherite Sword | 11 HP | Easy | General combat | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Axe | 13 HP (critical) | Medium | Shield breaking | ⭐⭐ |
Trident | 13 HP (ranged) | Medium | Water combat | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Answers to Common Mace Questions
Here's everything else players ask about getting the Mace in Minecraft:
Can You Get Maces from Villagers or Chests?
Nope. Zero chance. I've looted over 200 Trial Vaults and never found one. Mojang made crafting the only way. Don't waste time checking villages or fortresses - focus on chambers.
Does Enchanting Affect Smash Damage?
Only in indirect ways. Sharpness? Useless for smash attacks. But:
- Unbreaking III (essential for durability)
- Mending (if you have XP farms)
- Fire Aspect (adds extra burn damage)
Knockback? Actually reduces effectiveness by pushing mobs away mid-fall. Learned that the hard way.
Any Tricks for Finding Trial Chambers?
They generate between Y=-40 and Y=20 near desert/mountain biomes. Best method I've found:
- Get Explorer Maps from Cartographers
- Dig spiral staircases at chunk borders
- Use spectator mode if on creative
Took me 3 real-world days to find my first chamber. Bring patience and lots of torches.
My Personal Tips After 50+ Hours
Having used the Mace extensively in survival mode, here's what I wish I knew sooner:
Build Attack Towers: Simple 15-block towers with water elevators near mob farms. Lets you chain smash attacks without climbing manually.
Avoid Using in The Nether: Ghasts will knock you off paths mid-fall. Lost a fully enchanted Mace to lava this way. Still salty.
Combo with Potions: Slow Falling potions give you more reaction time. Strength II boosts smash damage further. My record? 32 HP against a zombie horde.
PVP Strategy: Place scaffolding under enemies during fights. When they fall onto it, jump from higher ground for instant kills. Works 70% of the time - unless they have Feather Falling like a smart opponent.
At the end of the day, learning how to get the Mace in Minecraft is about persistence. The first time you crush a Ravager with a single hit from 12 blocks up makes all those deaths worthwhile. Just pack feather falling boots and plenty of healing potions - you're gonna need them!
Still stuck? Feel free to ask questions below. I'll share more trial chamber seeds if anyone needs them.