How to Use a Spear in Minecraft: Jab and Charge Attacks Explained

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: The spear has two attacks: the jab (attack button, a quick thrust with a forced cooldown) and the charge (hold use to lower the spear, then run at your target - damage scales with closing speed, and above 5.1 blocks per second it adds knockback and dismounts riders). The pro move: jab, then charge while the jab cools down - alternating the two roughly doubles your attack rate.

What you need

A spear (2 sticks and 1 material, crafted diagonally)
Open ground to build up closing speed for charge attacks
Optional: Lunge enchantment for mobility

Step by step

Jab attack: press the attack button for a thrust. Jab damage by tier (Java): wood/gold 1 HP, stone/copper 2, iron 3, diamond 4, netherite 5 - Bedrock deals 1 more HP per tier. Heavier tiers jab slower.
The jab has a forced cooldown you cannot bypass (a full-charge cooldown in Java, an ender-pearl-style use cooldown in Bedrock) - but the charge attack stays available during it.
Charge attack: hold the use button to lower the spear. It deals damage when you and the target close at 4.6 blocks per second or more, and adds knockback at 5.1 or more.
Charge damage equals your tier multiplier times closing speed: wood/gold 0.7x, stone/copper 0.82x, iron 0.95x, diamond 1.075x, netherite 1.2x blocks per second. Standing still still hurts targets that run into you.
The charge has three stages while held: engaged (damage, knockback and dismounts riders), tired (damage and knockback), disengaged (damage only) - release into targets early.
Core combo: jab, then immediately charge - the jab cooldown does not block the charge, so alternating both roughly doubles your attack rate.
Charge attacks hit multiple entities in a line, dismount riders, and are not affected by Strength or Weakness - great against skeletons that strafe, though they often only take the knockback.
Lunge trick: with the Lunge enchantment, a jab launches you forward (costing hunger and 1 durability); chain the jab's launch into a charge attack to convert the momentum into huge charge damage. Needs 6+ hunger points, no mount, no elytra, no water.
Java vs Bedrock: only Java lets spears charge from the offhand; Bedrock jabs hit 1 HP harder and its spear cooldown affects every spear in your inventory.
Mobs use spears too: zombies and piglins wield iron and golden spears with full charge behavior - keep your distance or break their charge with a shield.

Java vs Bedrock

The spear rewards spacing: jab to keep enemies honest, charge to punish anyone who runs at you - and Lunge turns your own momentum into the highest burst damage in melee.

Versions: Spear mechanics differ slightly between Java and Bedrock (jab damage, cooldown style, offhand). Current as of 26.x.

Frequently asked questions

How does the spear charge attack work?

Hold the use button to lower the spear. When you and a target close at 4.6 blocks per second or faster it takes damage equal to your tier multiplier times closing speed; at 5.1 or faster it also takes knockback, and a fresh charge dismounts riders.

Spear or sword - which is better?

They play differently: the sword wins standing toe-to-toe with faster swings, while the spear wins with movement - its charge scales with closing speed and can hit several enemies at once, and alternating jab and charge doubles its attack rate.

What does the Lunge enchantment do?

Lunge launches you horizontally when you jab, costing saturation and hunger (1/2/3 points by level) plus 1 durability. Use the launch to close distance, then convert the speed into a charge attack. It does not work below 6 hunger points, mounted, gliding or in water.