Potion of Strength: Blaze Powder Recipe and Damage Bonus
Add blaze powder to an Awkward Potion for Strength: +3 melee damage at level I and +6 at level II on Java. Bedrock differences, durations, timing.
A Potion of Strength boosts your melee damage: on Java Edition it adds 3 damage per hit at level I and 6 at level II. You brew it by adding blaze powder to an Awkward Potion. It lasts 3 minutes, 8 with redstone, or 1:30 at level II.
| Version | Duration | Java bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Strength I | 3:00 | +3 per hit |
| Strength I + redstone | 8:00 | +3 per hit |
| Strength II | 1:30 | +6 per hit |
On Bedrock the bonus is percentage-based rather than flat. Level I adds roughly 30% to your base damage, and level II stacks that again. The result is similar for most weapons, but don’t expect the Java numbers to match exactly.
Brewing a Potion of Strength
Blaze powder is both the fuel and the ingredient, so you’ll go through a lot. One blaze rod makes two powder. Get rods from blazes in a Nether fortress, or from a blaze farm if you’ll brew a lot.
Nether wart into water bottles, then blaze powder. Then glowstone for level II (most players want this) or redstone for the long version.
How big is +6, really?
A diamond sword deals 7 damage on Java. Strength II adds 6, bringing a plain hit to 13. That’s close to doubling it, and it stacks with Sharpness. Against a mob with 20 health, you go from three hits to two. For an axe, which already hits hard but swings slowly, it’s a smaller relative gain.
Strength only affects melee. Bows, crossbows and thrown tridents don’t benefit. If you fight at range, look at the best sword enchantments and a Power bow instead.
When to drink it
- The Ender Dragon when it perches on the portal. Strength II and a sharp sword make each perch count.
- The Wither, together with Regeneration.
- Raids, where ravagers and vindicators soak up hits.
- PvP on servers where potions are allowed.
Strength and Weakness cancel out to some extent, so if a witch splashes you with Weakness mid-fight, a Strength potion helps you claw your damage back. Our brewing guide explains how to run blaze powder as fuel without wasting any.
Common questions
How do you make a Potion of Strength?
Add blaze powder to an Awkward Potion. Glowstone makes Strength II and redstone extends it to 8 minutes.
How much damage does Strength add?
On Java Edition, Strength adds 3 melee damage per level, so Strength II adds 6. Bedrock uses a percentage-based bonus instead, around 30% for level I.
Does Strength affect bows?
No. Strength only boosts melee attacks. Arrows, tridents thrown, and crossbow bolts are not affected.
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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