How to Get Piercing in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Piercing is a crossbow enchantment (max level IV) that lets arrows fly through multiple mobs in a line - level+1 entities per shot - and they are not consumed, so you can pick them back up. It even ignores raised shields. It cannot be combined with Multishot, and it does nothing for firework rockets.

What you need

Crossbow
Enchanting table, or anvil + Piercing enchanted book
XP levels
Arrows (tipped and spectral included - you get them back)

Step by step

Get a crossbow. Craft one (3 sticks, 2 string, 1 iron ingot, 1 tripwire hook) or take one from a pillager.
Enchant it with Piercing. Enchanting table roll, or an anvil plus a Piercing book from a librarian or loot chest. Combine same-level books to reach Piercing IV.
Line them up. A Piercing arrow passes through the enchantment level's worth of entities, hitting level+1 mobs total - Piercing IV skewers five mobs standing in a row. The arrow keeps flying straight, so aim along the line.
Enjoy infinite arrows. Piercing arrows are never consumed by hits: shoot through the crowd, then walk over and pick your arrow back up. This works with tipped and spectral arrows too - one potion arrow, endless volleys.
Know what stops it. Piercing ignores raised shields, but a closed shulker shell, the wither's half-health armor and a breeze's wind armor still bounce arrows off. And it has zero effect on firework rockets loaded in the crossbow.

Java vs Bedrock

Piercing works the same in Java and Bedrock: level+1 entities per arrow, shield-ignoring, arrow recovery included. The fireworks limitation applies in both - rockets are not duplicated or pierced.

Versions: Piercing was added in 1.14 (Village & Pillage, 2019) with the crossbow. Its shield-piercing behavior and Multishot incompatibility have been consistent since release.

Frequently asked questions

Piercing or Multishot?

Piercing for lined-up mobs, infinite tipped arrows and shield-piercing PvP shots; Multishot for spread crowds and triple firework volleys. They cannot share a crossbow - keep one of each.

Does Piercing really make arrows infinite?

Functionally yes: the arrow is never consumed on hit, only lost if it flies somewhere unreachable. One tipped arrow of Harming can serve for an entire raid if you collect it between waves.

Does Piercing ignore shields in PvP?

Yes - a raised shield does not block a Piercing arrow at all. It is one of the few ways to pressure a turtling player, alongside axes disabling shields in Java.