In Minecraft, enchantments add a layer of depth and utility to your tools, weapons, and armor. One of the most valuable enchantments is Mending, which uses experience (XP) to repair damaged gear. However, many players wonder how Mending behaves when an item is held in the offhand slot. Whether you’re dual-wielding a tool, carrying a shield, or holding a totem of undying, it’s essential to understand if and how Mending works in the offhand. This topic is especially important for players aiming to optimize their gear longevity and XP usage in both combat and resource-gathering scenarios.
Understanding How Mending Works
The Basics of the Mending Enchantment
Mending is a treasure enchantment, meaning it can’t be obtained from an enchanting table. Instead, players must find it through loot, trading with librarian villagers, or fishing. When applied to an item, Mending uses collected XP to repair that item, restoring its durability instead of adding the XP to the player’s level bar.
Key mechanics include:
- Each point of durability costs 2 XP orbs.
- If multiple Mending items are equipped, the game chooses one at random to repair with each XP orb.
- Only items that are damaged and equipped (held in hand or worn) are eligible for Mending repair.
What Is the Offhand Slot?
The offhand slot allows players to hold an additional item. On Java Edition, it appears as a shield icon in the player’s inventory screen. Items commonly placed in the offhand include:
- Shields
- Torches
- Totems of Undying
- Arrows or Fireworks (for bows and Elytra)
- Tools, such as pickaxes or fishing rods
Understanding how the offhand interacts with Mending is crucial when planning your inventory and maximizing repair efficiency.
Does Mending Work on Items in the Offhand?
The Short Answer
Yes, Mending does work on items in the offhand slot. As long as the item is damaged, has the Mending enchantment, and is being held (either in the main hand or offhand), it is eligible to be repaired using XP. However, there are some nuances to consider based on how XP is collected and how the game prioritizes items.
XP Distribution Rules
When XP is collected, Minecraft checks for Mending-eligible items in the following way:
- All armor pieces worn and both hands (main and offhand) are considered.
- Only one item is selected at random per orb to receive the XP repair.
- If no damaged item with Mending is equipped, XP goes to the player’s experience bar.
This means if you have multiple Mending items equipped including in your offhand the game will randomly decide which one receives the XP. The offhand item does not get priority just because it’s in use. It shares the same random chance as any helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots, or mainhand tool with Mending.
Examples of Mending in the Offhand
Here are common examples where Mending in the offhand comes into play:
- Mending Shield: When blocking incoming attacks while holding a Mending-enchanted shield in the offhand, XP from slain mobs can go toward repairing the shield.
- Mending Fishing Rod: Players who fish with a rod in the main hand and keep another Mending tool in the offhand may see that tool repaired if it gets selected.
- Mending Elytra + Tool: If you’re flying with Elytra and holding a Mending tool in the offhand, XP from flight fireworks or mob kills can repair either item depending on selection.
How to Optimize Mending in the Offhand
Remove Unneeded Mending Gear Temporarily
If you’re trying to focus repairs on a single offhand item, unequip other gear with Mending enchantments. This includes taking off armor or moving Mending tools out of your inventory slots temporarily. Fewer eligible items means higher chances your offhand item gets repaired.
Farm XP Efficiently
When repairing items via Mending, XP farming is key. Some efficient ways to gather XP include:
- Trading with villagers
- Killing mobs in XP farms
- Fishing (in Java Edition only)
- Mining ores like coal, redstone, or quartz
All of these methods allow XP collection without necessarily needing to use your main hand tool, making them ideal for repairing offhand items.
Use Weaponless Methods to Collect XP
If you want to repair an offhand item specifically, avoid using Mending tools or weapons in your main hand while collecting XP. For instance, let mobs walk into traps, or use splash damage like potions or environmental hazards. This ensures XP goes to the offhand item rather than the tool you use to kill.
Platform Differences and Limitations
Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition
The behavior of Mending in the offhand is largely consistent across Java and Bedrock Editions. However, there are a few platform-specific quirks:
- In Bedrock Edition, the offhand slot is more limited and cannot hold as many item types compared to Java. For example, tools can’t be actively used in the offhand.
- In Java Edition, players can attack, mine, and use items in the offhand simultaneously with the main hand, depending on the item type.
This means that while Mending still works in the offhand on both platforms, how useful it is depends on what you can actually do with that offhand item.
Visual Indicators and Durability
There is no in-game notification when Mending repairs an item. However, if you hold a Mending item in your offhand and collect XP, you may notice the green durability bar increasing slowly. To get precise numbers, you can hover over the item in your inventory and track its remaining durability.
Common Misconceptions
Mending Always Repairs the Mainhand First
This is false. Mending does not prioritize the mainhand. It randomly selects one damaged, equipped item with Mending to repair. Whether it’s armor, the offhand, or the mainhand tool, each has an equal chance if they meet the criteria.
Mending Doesn’t Work if the Item Isn’t Used
Another myth is that the item must be actively used to receive Mending XP. This is incorrect. The item simply needs to be equipped and damaged. A shield in your offhand will still be repaired by XP even if you’re not blocking attacks at the moment of collection.
Mending does indeed work on items in the offhand slot in Minecraft. Whether you’re holding a shield, tool, or other enchanted item, as long as it’s damaged and equipped, it can benefit from XP-based repairs. However, it competes with other eligible gear for XP distribution. To maximize Mending effectiveness in your offhand, consider removing other Mending items and focus your gameplay on XP collection methods that don’t involve competing tools. Understanding how this enchantment works across both Java and Bedrock can help you get the most out of your gear and prolong its usability through strategic planning and resourceful play.