Best Trident Enchantments in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Two perfect tridents exist: a Loyalty III + Channeling trident for throwing, and a Riptide III trident for travel. Add Impaling V, Unbreaking III and Mending to either. Riptide is incompatible with Loyalty and Channeling.

What you need

A trident (dropped by drowned holding one - it cannot be crafted)
Enchanting table and lapis, or an anvil plus enchanted books
XP levels

Step by step

Pick your build first: Loyalty and Channeling are a throwing build; Riptide replaces throwing with a launch - they are mutually exclusive.
Loyalty III returns the thrown trident after a hit, faster than lower levels. Keep an inventory slot free; it cannot return across dimensions, and throwing into the Java void can lose it.
Channeling summons lightning when a thrown trident hits a qualifying target during a thunderstorm with clear sky above it. Java has additional target restrictions, including mobs in water. Bedrock lightning rods also work in ordinary rain.
Travel build: Riptide III launches you through water or rain - pair it with elytra for rain-day flight without rockets.
Impaling V adds damage to qualifying targets: aquatic mobs in Java, or mobs and players in water or rain in Bedrock. V adds 12.5 HP in Java or 12 HP after rounding in Bedrock.
Mending repairs the damaged trident when held while collecting XP; other damaged equipment can receive an orb. Unbreaking III gives weapons about four times their usual lifespan on average, not an unbreakable guarantee.
Skip Curse of Vanishing books from loot - the trident disappears on death.
Anvil order matters: combine books with each other first (two I make II, two II make III), then apply the cheapest books to the item first. Every anvil job on an item raises its prior-work penalty, and once a single job would cost more than 39 levels the anvil refuses with 'Too Expensive!' - so build books before touching the item.

Trident enchantments at a glance

Enchantment	Max	Why it makes the list	Conflicts
Loyalty	III	Trident returns after each throw, faster per level	Riptide
Channeling	I	Lightning on hit during thunderstorms - mob-head farming	Riptide
Riptide	III	Launch yourself in water or rain; pairs with elytra	Loyalty + Channeling
Impaling	V	+2.5 damage per level - Java: aquatic mobs only; Bedrock: anything in water or rain	-
Unbreaking	III	About 4x effective durability	-
Mending	I	XP repairs the trident	-

Java vs Bedrock

Java Impaling targets aquatic mobs, not drowned. Bedrock applies it to wet targets, including players. Channeling needs sky exposure and a valid target; Bedrock lightning rods can trigger it in ordinary rain. Loyalty has void and return limits.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note for differences.

Frequently asked questions

Can a trident have both Loyalty and Riptide?

No. Riptide is incompatible with Loyalty and Channeling - the game blocks the combination on the anvil.

How do I get a trident?

Tridents cannot be crafted. Naturally spawned drowned holding one can drop it when killed by a player or tamed wolf, with Looting improving the chance. Trial chamber vaults are another rare source.

Is Channeling useful?

Yes: lightning can charge creepers and transform some mobs. Target conditions and sky exposure matter. Most uses need a thunderstorm, but Bedrock lightning rods also work in ordinary rain.