Punch Enchantment: Bow Knockback Distances
Punch makes arrows knock targets back about 5.5 blocks at level I and 8.8 at level II. Where it helps, where it backfires, Java vs Bedrock, sources.
Punch increases how far your arrows knock targets back. A normal arrow pushes a mob about 2 blocks. Punch I adds about 3.5 blocks, and Punch II brings it to roughly 8.8 blocks. It’s a bow-only enchantment with two levels and no conflicts.
| Level | On normal blocks | On ice |
|---|---|---|
| None | ~2 blocks | ~4 blocks |
| I | ~5.5 blocks | ~10.3 blocks |
| II | ~8.8 blocks | ~16.6 blocks |
Those are horizontal distances. The upward kick is the same at every level, about 1.25 blocks with Punch against 0.8 without, so Punch lifts a target slightly but mostly shoves it away. On soul sand everything roughly halves: Punch II only moves a mob about 4 blocks.
Where it helps
- Keeping zombies, spiders and creepers at range. Each hit buys you another shot before they reach you.
- PvP. Knocking an opponent off a bridge, into lava or out of the End is the classic Punch kill.
- Escaping. If a mob is right on top of you, a quick Punch shot clears space.
A Punch II hit also means a creeper that was closing in lands almost nine blocks away, which buys you at least one more full-charge shot before it’s back.
Where it gets in the way
- Mobs you knock back are farther away for the next shot, so it can slow down kills.
- In a mob farm, Punch shoves mobs out of the kill area.
- Endermen teleport away from arrows anyway, so it doesn’t matter against them.
- Mobs knocked off cliffs or into water can take their drops with them, or land somewhere you can’t reach.
The melee version is Knockback, with the same pros and cons.
Java vs Bedrock
On Java, an arrow blocked by a shield doesn’t apply Punch knockback. Bedrock matched that in 1.21.120; before that, Punch could still push shield users. In PvP, that means a raised shield now cancels the knockback on both editions, so Punch only works on an opponent who isn’t blocking.
Getting it
The enchanting table rolls Punch on bows less often than Power (weight 2 against 10). Books come from fishing, monster rooms, other chests and librarians, and an expert fletcher can sell a bow with Punch I. Skeletons sometimes spawn with Punch I bows on Normal and Hard, and you can get them as drops. Under the experimental Villager Trade Rebalance, plains librarians sell the book.
Punch II from a default librarian costs 8 to 32 emeralds. Two Punch I books combine into II on an anvil.
Should you put it on your bow?
Most players treat Punch as a “nice if you get it” enchantment. It pairs with Power V on a PvP bow. On a general survival bow it’s fine to leave it on if the table gives it to you; on a bow you use at a farm, skip it. For the full ranking, see best bow enchantments.
Common questions
Is Punch good on a bow?
It's useful for keeping melee mobs and players away and knocking people off ledges. In mob farms and against fleeing mobs it gets in the way, so some players skip it.
Do skeletons use Punch bows?
Yes. On Normal and Hard difficulty, skeletons can spawn holding a Punch I bow, which is why some of their arrows send you flying.
Sources & verification
Facts on this page are checked against these references and in-game behavior for the stated edition(s). how we verify.
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