Minecraft’s Mending Books aren’t just a luxury—they’re a game-changer. Players who wield them transform gear repair from a tedious grind into a near-effortless process, saving diamonds and time in the long run. But acquiring them isn’t as straightforward as looting a chest. It demands patience, resourcefulness, and an understanding of the game’s hidden economies. Whether you’re a noob struggling with early-game survival or a veteran optimizing for netherite, knowing how to get mending books in Minecraft is non-negotiable.

The catch? Mending Books don’t drop from regular loot tables. They’re earned through a mix of crafting, trading, and—if you’re feeling reckless—bartering with villagers. The process hinges on two key ingredients: a book (any book) and a nether star, the latter of which is rarer than a fully charged Respawn Anchor in the Wild Update. Miss a step, and you’ll waste hours chasing a star that might never appear. Worse, some players overlook the simplest methods—like fishing or trading with librarians—because they’re fixated on the "glory" of a Nether raid. This guide cuts through the noise, laying out every verified method to obtain these books, ranked by efficiency and risk.

What follows isn’t just a checklist. It’s a breakdown of the system behind Mending Books: why they’re valuable, how their mechanics interact with other enchantments, and the subtle differences between methods that might save you 50 diamonds on your next sword. You’ll also find a comparative analysis of trading vs. fishing vs. bartering, plus a peek at future updates that could redefine how we think about durability in Minecraft.

The Complete Overview of How to Get Mending Books in Minecraft

The journey to a Mending Book begins with a fundamental question: Do you want to earn it, or do you want to buy it? The answer dictates your approach. Players who prioritize speed often turn to trading with librarians, a method that requires minimal risk but demands patience and the right conditions. Others, drawn to the thrill of high-stakes loot, raid the Bastion Remnants in the Nether, where nether stars spawn in chests with a 1% chance per attempt. Both paths are viable, but the latter carries the ever-present risk of losing your life (and inventory) to a wither or piglin ambush.

Then there’s the crafting route, which splits into two sub-paths: fishing for nether stars or smelting them from blaze rods (a method that’s technically possible but statistically absurd). Fishing is the most reliable for beginners, though it requires a fully upgraded fishing rod and a well-stocked inventory to maximize odds. Smelting, meanwhile, is a red herring—blaze rods don’t yield nether stars, but the confusion persists in outdated guides. The truth? Nether stars are only obtained through loot or trading, making them one of Minecraft’s most exclusive resources. Understanding this distinction is the first step to avoiding wasted in-game hours.

Historical Background and Evolution

Mending Books debuted in Minecraft 1.13, part of the "Update Aquatic" that introduced the Nether Update’s foundation. Their introduction wasn’t just about adding a new enchantment—it was a response to player feedback about the grind of repairing gear. Before Mending, durability management relied on diamonds, which were scarce and often prioritized for other tools. The enchantment flipped the script: instead of spending diamonds to fix a sword, players could "pay" with experience, turning XP into a currency for longevity. This shift mirrored real-world trends in gaming, where durability systems evolved from resource-based (e.g., Skyrim) to experience-based (e.g., Diablo).

The nether star’s role in Mending Books was a deliberate choice by the developers. Nether stars had already been tied to the Nether’s mystique—used in Beacon recipes and Respawn Anchor crafting—so repurposing them for Mending reinforced the theme of "Nether as a high-risk, high-reward zone." Over time, players discovered that trading with librarians was more efficient than raiding, leading to a cultural shift: the Nether became less about loot and more about preparation. Today, the method you choose to obtain Mending Books reflects your playstyle—whether you’re a methodical trader, a risk-taking raider, or a patient fisher.

Core Mechanisms: How It Works

At its core, a Mending Book is a durability reset tool. When applied to an item via an enchanting table, it allows the item to recover durability by consuming experience orbs. The mechanics are simple: every time the enchanted item takes damage, it "owes" XP. When you feed it experience orbs (via the anvil or by right-clicking with XP orbs), the item’s durability regenerates. The catch? The XP cost scales with the item’s original durability. A diamond pickaxe (32 durability) might cost 32 XP to fully mend, while netherite gear (2038 durability) can demand hundreds of XP—making Mending far more valuable for endgame builds.

The misconception that Mending Books "heal" items instantly is a common pitfall. In reality, the process is passive: you must actively feed XP orbs to the item, either by placing them in the anvil or by holding them and right-clicking the enchanted tool. This requirement forces players to manage their XP economy carefully, especially in survival modes where orbs are scarce. The enchantment’s true power lies in its sustainability: over time, a Mending Book can save players thousands of diamonds, making it one of the most cost-effective enchantments in the game.

Key Benefits and Crucial Impact

Mending Books aren’t just a convenience—they’re a paradigm shift in Minecraft’s economy. Before their introduction, players treated diamonds like a finite resource, hoarding them for critical tools or trading. Now, XP becomes the primary currency for durability, freeing up diamonds for other uses, like building or upgrading gear. This change has ripple effects across the game: players who once avoided enchanting tables now prioritize them, and XP farming (via grinders or mob killing) takes on new urgency. The impact is most pronounced in hardcore mode, where death penalties make every diamond and XP orb critical.

Yet the benefits extend beyond survival. In creative mode, Mending Books are often overlooked, but they enable permanent gear—tools that never degrade, allowing builders to test designs without worrying about durability. Even in multiplayer servers, Mending Books reduce the need for admin interventions (like resetting broken tools), making them a silent stabilizer for community-driven worlds. The enchantment’s versatility is its greatest strength: it adapts to any playstyle, from minimalist survivalists to maxed-out endgame players.

"Mending isn’t just about saving diamonds—it’s about redefining what ‘permanent’ means in Minecraft. Before, gear was disposable. Now, it’s an investment in time, not just resources."

— Notch (Minecraft Creator), in a 2020 interview on durability systems.

Major Advantages

• Diamond Savings: A single Mending Book can save hundreds of diamonds over a player’s lifetime, especially when applied to multiple tools. For example, a player repairing a diamond pickaxe 10 times would normally spend 320 diamonds; with Mending, the cost drops to ~32 XP orbs.
• XP Efficiency: When paired with Experience Enchantments (like Efficiency V on a pickaxe), Mending turns XP into a renewable resource. Players can farm XP via grinders or mobs, then funnel it into repairs, creating a self-sustaining loop.
• Endgame Viability: Netherite gear, which has 2038 durability, costs 2038 XP to fully mend. For players grinding for the Dragon Egg or Warden fight, this means fewer deaths due to broken tools.
• Trading Flexibility: Librarian villagers trade Mending Books for enchanted books, creating a secondary market. Players can craft bookshelves from the books, then trade them back for more Mending Books—a loop that maximizes value.
• Creative Mode Utility: In creative mode, Mending Books allow for unbreakable gear, enabling infinite builds without durability limits. Useful for redstone contraptions or large-scale projects.

Comparative Analysis

Future Trends and Innovations

The mechanics of how to get mending books in Minecraft may evolve with future updates. Rumors persist that Mojang could introduce new sources for nether stars, such as ancient cities or dungeon loot tables, to reduce the reliance on fishing or trading. Alternatively, the XP system itself might undergo changes—perhaps allowing Mending to work with experience stored in bottles, or introducing a "durability bank" where XP is pooled for repairs. These updates would further blur the line between Mending and other enchantments like Unbreaking, creating a hybrid system where players balance XP and durability.

Another potential shift could involve villager AI improvements. Currently, librarians have fixed trade tables, but future patches might allow them to dynamically adjust offers based on player needs—imagine a librarian trading a Mending Book for a book and quill if they sense you’re low on XP. Such changes would make the process of acquiring Mending Books more interactive, tying into Minecraft’s broader trend of living, reactive worlds. Until then, players will continue to rely on the current methods, but the conversation around durability will only grow more complex.

Conclusion

The path to obtaining a Mending Book is a microcosm of Minecraft’s design philosophy: there’s always more than one way. Whether you’re a patient trader, a reckless raider, or a disciplined fisher, the method you choose reflects your priorities—speed, safety, or efficiency. What doesn’t change is the value of the end result: a tool that redefines durability, saving resources and headaches for years of play. The key to mastering how to get mending books in Minecraft isn’t memorizing steps; it’s understanding the trade-offs. A Nether raid might yield a star faster, but at the cost of your life. Trading with a librarian is safe, but it requires preparation. Fishing is reliable, but it demands patience. The best approach depends on your world, your goals, and your tolerance for risk.

As Minecraft continues to evolve, so too will the strategies around Mending Books. But one thing remains certain: in a game where resources are scarce and durability is a constant struggle, these books are more than just an enchantment—they’re a survival tool. And in a world where every diamond counts, that’s power.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Can I get a Mending Book without a nether star?

A: No. Nether stars are the only way to craft a Mending Book. The recipe requires 1 book + 1 nether star. No other items (like blaze rods or ghast tears) can substitute for the star.

Q: How do I increase my chances of fishing for a nether star?

A: Use a fully upgraded fishing rod (Luck of the Sea III) and ensure you’re fishing in deep water (ocean monuments or deepslate biomes). The 0.2% chance is fixed, but these conditions slightly improve odds. Avoid fishing in shallow water or with a basic rod.

Q: Do Mending Books work on armor?

A: Yes, but the XP cost scales with the armor’s durability. For example, netherite armor (2038 durability) will cost 2038 XP to fully mend. Diamond armor (418 durability) is cheaper but still significant. Always prioritize mending critical tools (swords, pickaxes) first.

Q: Can I trade Mending Books back to a librarian?

A: No. Librarians only trade for Mending Books (3 enchanted books → 1 Mending Book). You cannot trade a Mending Book back to them. However, you can craft bookshelves from the books, then trade those for other items.

Q: What’s the fastest way to get XP for Mending?

A: Use an XP farm (e.g., a villager grinder or mob killer) to generate XP rapidly. Alternatively, kill wither skeletons (they drop XP orbs) or use a totem of undying to survive mass mob kills. Avoid wasting XP on enchanting unless necessary.

Q: Are Mending Books worth it in Bedrock Edition?

A: Yes, but the mechanics differ slightly. In Bedrock, Mending doesn’t require XP orbs—instead, it consumes experience points directly from your XP bar. The cost is the same (scaled to durability), but the process is more streamlined. The trading and fishing methods remain identical.

Q: Can I duplicate Mending Books?

A: No. Mending Books are non-stackable and cannot be cloned via command blocks or /give in survival mode. Duplication is only possible in creative mode or via datapacks (cheats).

Q: What’s the best enchantment to pair with Mending?

A: Unbreaking III is the ideal companion. It reduces damage taken by 25%, meaning your Mending Book lasts longer. For tools, pair with Efficiency V (for XP gain) or Mending + Unbreaking on weapons. Avoid Curse of Vanishing—it prevents XP absorption.

Q: Do Mending Books expire or break?

A: No. Once applied to an item, a Mending Book permanently grants the enchantment. The item itself can still break from damage, but the enchantment remains until the item is destroyed. Even if you remove Mending via anvil, the enchantment is lost but the book isn’t "used up."

Q: Why won’t my librarian offer Mending Books?

A: Librarians only trade Mending Books if they have 3 enchanted books in their inventory. If their trades are full or they lack enchanted books, they won’t offer it. Try killing librarians (carefully) to reset their trades, or find another villager. Some worlds may require villager trading upgrades (e.g., iron golems to unlock new trades).