Piercing

{
 "title": "Piercing",
 "rows": [
 {
 "field": "IV",
 "label": "Maximum level"
 },
 {
 "field": "<span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:ItemSprite crossbow.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Crossbow|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>",
 "label": "<span class=\"explain \" title=\"Items that can receive the enchantment from an enchanting table.\">Primary items</span>"
 },
 {
 "field": "''None''",
 "label": "<span class=\"explain \" title=\"Items that cannot receive the enchantment from an enchanting table but can receive it from an enchanted book on an anvil.\">Secondary items</span>"
 },
 {
 "field": "10",
 "label": "<span class=\"explain \" title=\"Relative chance of the enchantment being offered.\">Enchantment weight</span>"
 },
 {
 "field": "<code>piercing</code>",
 "label": "(link to Identifier article, displayed as Identifier)"
 },
 {
 "field": "(link to Multishot article, displayed as Multishot)",
 "label": "Incompatible with"
 },
 {
 "field": "Stops functioning above level 127",
 "label": "<abbr class=\"\" title=\"How the enchantment's behavior scales when exceeding the maximum level via commands or other means.\">Overleveling behavior</abbr>"
 }
 ],
 "invimages": [],
 "images": []
}

Piercing is an enchantment applied to crossbows that allows fired arrows to damage and fly through multiple entities, including shields, without being consumed.

Piercing can be obtained from enchanting tables, drops from mobs that have spawned in a raid,‌^{[Bedrock Edition only]} books obtained by fishing, monster room chests, librarian villagers, and non-village structure loot.

Arrows shot from a Piercing crossbow can pass through the number of entities equal to the enchantment level (for a total of level + 1 entities damaged). The shot arrows can still be retrieved after piercing a mob, allowing for infinite use of all arrow types, including spectral arrows and tipped arrows. Arrows do not change direction upon piercing a mob, meaning they hit only mobs in the line of flight.

Piercing ignores shields even when they are blocking.

Piercing does not ignore:

• The shell of a closed shulker
• The wither's 'wither armor' when it reaches half-health
• A breeze's wind armor

In all these cases, the arrow bounces off like normal.

Piercing has no effect on firework rockets fired from a crossbow.

If commands are used to increase the enchantment level beyond 127, the piercing effect stops working and hits only one mob instead.

Piercing also affects arrows shot from a bow if applied using commands or an anvil in Creative mode.

Arrows shot from a Piercing crossbow cannot hit the same mob twice, and will pass through previously hit mobs.

Piercing and Multishot are mutually exclusive. However, if combined using commands, both enchantments function as normal, with the two arrows added by the Multishot enchantment getting the effect as well.

Java Edition:

Bedrock Edition:

Issues relating to "Piercing" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.