Tutorials Dual wielding

Info

Main hand & off-hand

You can change your main hand in the options. This might be handy for players who are left-handed.

Before we begin the tutorial, it is important to recognize these two terms: main hand and off-hand. In default, your main hand is your right hand. Respectively, your off-hand is your left hand. Keep in mind that there is an option located in Skin Customization labeled "Main Hand" to swap your main hand and off-hand. This option may be helpful (or handy) for players that are left-handed.

Videos

What is it?

Dual wielding is when you hold two weapons Weapons may refer to: Sword - A melee weapon that has a sweep attack. Bow - A ranged weapon that shoots arrows to deal damage. Arrow, Spectral Arrow and Tipped Arrow - Items that can , one in each hand, during combat This article may need cleanup to comply with the style guide. Please help improve this if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. A mob is any creature in the game, whether hostile, passive, . Despite the fact that dual wielding is not widely practiced in real life, it is used extensively in various action and role-playing games, and is generally designed to provide the player more effectiveness or convenience in battle. Dual wielding in Minecraft can be used in combat, but it also can be used in other everyday activities, such as building, mining "Punch" redirects here. For the enchantment, see Enchanting#Punch. The Player punches trees and gets wood (click to view animation). Breaking, digging, punching, or mining is one of the most fundamental activities in Minecraft, performed (by , and eating See the gameplay mechanic. For the status effect, see Status effect#Hunger. The Food Bar is seen on the right, opposite the Health Bar. Hunger is an aspect of Minecraft that governs several . It does have a few major limits, but learning through them and applying dual wielding to practical use can give players a large boost in productivity and a greater advantage above other players in PvP This article may need cleanup to comply with the style guide. Please help improve this if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. PvP, an abbreviation of Player versus Player, refers to combat in combat in-game.

How to equip something to your off-hand

The off-hand slot is highlighted on the bottom-right corner of the player avatar.

In the inventory "GUI" redirects here. For items like health bars and crosshairs, see Heads-up display. Inventory pop up screen A filled and sorted inventory Chest inventory The inventory is the pop-up menu that the player uses to , there is a slot on the bottom-right side of the player avatar that looks like an outline of a shield. This is called the off-hand slot. When you put something in it, you should see it being held on your off-hand (your left hand on default). Your other hand should also appear on the screen in first person view (you should see two hands on the screen). You should also see an extra slot with the off-hand item appear beside your HUD The HUD and all its components in the PCPersonal Computer edition in 1.8.9 and earlier versions. The heads-up display or HUD appears on screen while the Player is in the game. It is superimposed on his hotbar; this should be on the opposite side of your main hand.

For easy equipping to the off-hand slot, press F by default. This is configurable in the Controls Minecraft uses the standard control scheme of mouse and keyboard controls as input. The game cannot be played using only a mouse or only a keyboard using the default control scheme. The controls menu is settings. Using this, you can quickly equip something into your off-hand slot in your inventory and switch between the items in your hotbar and off-hand. Practice using this key until you are able to fluently swap between items in your hotbar and your off-hand.

How the off-hand is used

"Right-click will throw the ender pearl, because the sword doesn`t have a `use`."

The off-hand can use the item it holds when there are no items in the main hand, or the item held on the main hand is not usable, e.g. swords and pickaxes.

Arrows that are held on the off-hand take priority over arrows in any other slot when you shoot a bow Bow Type Combat Durability 385 Renewable Yes Stackable No First appearances See History Data value dec: 261 hex: 105 bin: 100000101 Name bow A bow is a ranged weapon that fires arrows. Contents 1 Obtaining 1.1 Skeletons 1.2 . This allows you to fire a specific arrow by selecting it using your off-hand. Conveniently, you can do vice-versa and hold the bow on the off-hand with arrows selected on your main hand. This also allows you to fire a specific arrow by selecting it using your main hand.

Limitations

"Left-click only swings my main hand. The off-hand can`t be used for attacking."

“	You cannot dual wield weapons Weapons may refer to: Sword - A melee weapon that has a sweep attack. Bow - A ranged weapon that shoots arrows to deal damage. Arrow, Spectral Arrow and Tipped Arrow - Items that can . Well, I mean, you could, but you can only attack from your main arm so it`ll be pointless.	„
	— Dinnerbone Nathan Adams Real name Nathan Adams Date of birth Jul. 23, 1991 (age 25) 1] Occupation Game developer Nationality British Website dinnerbone.com Known for Bukkit Minecraft Wiki name Dinnerbone Reddit name Dinnerbone @@@#@@@Twitter(twitter.com)###@### name @Dinnerbone Bug

Players cannot use both hands at the same time, and there is always a slight delay between using the main hand and off-hand. Thus you cannot instantly perform two actions together, such as placing and breaking blocks simultaneously or shooting two bows at once.

The main hand always takes priority when trying to use an item. For instance, if you had stone in your main hand and dirt in your off-hand, you will always place the stone. The item in the off-hand will only be used if the item in the main hand lacks a use, or if it`s holding nothing. If the item in the main hand cannot be used due to certain circumstances, then the off-hand is used. For instance, if you have a block equipped on the main hand and a snowball on the off-hand, and then right-click towards an empty void, the snowball will be thrown instead of placing the block. This is because the block cannot be placed anywhere, and so your off-hand is used instead.

The main hand is also the only hand that can hit or break (left-click), even if there are no items in the main hand. This means that the off-hand cannot left-click with an item. This makes most weapons and tools unusable in the off-hand, with the exception of ones that have a right-click function.

Weapons that can be used on the off-hand:

• 
  Bow
• 
  Chicken egg s Egg Type Food Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 7 PE: 82 Network ID PC: 62 Entity ID egg First appearances See History Data value dec: 344 hex: 158 bin: 101011000 Name egg This
• 
  Lingering potion s Egg Type Food Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 7 PE: 82 Network ID PC: 62 Entity ID egg First appearances See History Data value dec: 344 hex: 158 bin: 101011000 Name egg This
• 
  Snowball s Egg Type Food Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 7 PE: 82 Network ID PC: 62 Entity ID egg First appearances See History Data value dec: 344 hex: 158 bin: 101011000 Name egg This
• 
  Splash potion s Egg Type Food Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 7 PE: 82 Network ID PC: 62 Entity ID egg First appearances See History Data value dec: 344 hex: 158 bin: 101011000 Name egg This

Tools that can be used on the off-hand:

• 
  Bucket
• 
  Ender pearl
• 
  Fishing rod
• 
  Flint and steel
• 
  Hoe (e.g. right-click on dirt Dirt Transparency No Luminance No Blast resistance 2.5 Tool Renewable No Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops Itself Data value dec: 03 hex: 3 bin: 11 Name dirt See Dirt. For the similar block, see to turn it into farmland Farmland Transparency PC: Partial (Blocks light) PE: Yes Luminance No Blast resistance 3 Tool Renewable No Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops Dirt (1) Data value dec: 60 hex: 3C bin: 111100 Name farmland “ Want to live )
• 
  Lead
• 
  Shears (right-click on a sheep Sheep Health points 8 () Size Adult: Height: 1.3 Blocks Width: 0.9 Blocks Baby: Height: 0.65 Blocks Width: 0.45 Blocks Spawn Opaque blocks with at least two block space above them. First appearances See History )
• 
  Shield
• 
  Shovel (right-click on a grass block Grass Block Transparency No Luminance No Blast resistance 3 Tool Renewable No Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops Dirt (1) Data value dec: 02 hex: 2 bin: 10 Name grass See the dirt block with to turn it into a path Grass Path Transparency Computer: No Pocket Edition: Partial (allows light to pass through) Luminance No Blast resistance 3.25 Tool Renewable No Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops 1 Dirt Data values Computer: dec: 208 hex: D0 bin: 11010000 )
• 
  Torch
• 
  Potion s Egg Type Food Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 7 PE: 82 Network ID PC: 62 Entity ID egg First appearances See History Data value dec: 344 hex: 158 bin: 101011000 Name egg This

Summary

• Players can now use both hands to do different actions with the left and right mouse buttons.
  • For instance, if a player has a pickaxe in their main hand and a torch in their off-hand, right-clicking will place the torch.
    • This happens because a pickaxe lacks a right-click use, and therefore the game tries to then treat the other item as if it`s being right-clicked.
  • The player cannot click both buttons at the same time.
• Players can put an item on the "off-hand slot" in their inventory to hold it on their off-hand.
  • It is distinguished by an outline of a shield like symbol.
  • Pressing F (by default) will switch whatever item is selected in the hotbar with the item in the off-hand (including no item).
  • The off-hand slot is displayed next to the HUD when it`s not empty (left for right-handed players and vice versa).
• Only the main hand can be used for attacking or breaking.
  • An exception is items which do damage upon using them, such as bows or splash potions.
• Bows determine what type of arrow to shoot based on the player`s inventory and off-hand.
  • Arrows in the off-hand take priority over arrows in any other slot.
    • Else, the closest stack of arrows to the first slot is used.
  • If the bow is in the off-hand, the selected hotbar slot takes priority.
  • If there are multiple arrow types and none held on the off-hand or main hand, the arrow on the first hotbar slot will shoot first.
• The off-hand is invisible in first person view while it`s empty.

Final note

Dual wielding a pickaxe in the main hand and a torch in the off-hand. This reduces the time lighting up tunnels when mining.

Dual wielding is a useful addition to the game with many applications. It is entirely optional for players whether or not they want to utilize dual wielding; players can completely ignore the off-hand slot and, with few exceptions aside, continue to play like it was before 1.9. Some players who use dual wielding may experience efficiency and relief, but others may just experience more setbacks. Some may only use dual wielding to its minimal extent. Ultimately it is up to each player and their own style of playing to employ this mechanic into their gameplay.

Uses

Below is a list of practical dual wielding uses.

Category	Use	Main Hand	Off-hand	Description
Basic	Eating	Empty/ Tool/Weapon	Food	Having food Foods (or Foodstuffs as considered by the Creative inventory) are consumable items that when eaten restore hunger points and sometimes cause status effects. They are essential to the player s survival, as going without them will in your off-hand can cut a large amount of time in your gameplay. Simply right-click when you`re hungry without having to select it on the hotbar. Food is not wasted as you can`t consume food when the hungerbar is full. Having your food in the off-hand also frees a space on your hotbar, so you can put another item to use. Equipping a golden apple Golden @@@#@@@Apple(apple.com)###@### Type Food Restores Golden AppleTechnology company 4 () Absorption (2:00) Regeneration II (0:05) Enchanted Golden AppleTechnology company 4 () Absorption IV (2:00) Regeneration II (0:20) Fire Resistance (5:00) Resistance (5:00) Cookable No Renewable Golden Apple on your off-hand allows you to quickly eat your apple before going immediately into combat with your opponent, but do note that you can consume a golden apple while your hunger is still full, so this method may be reserved until you are certain that you will go into battle soon.
	Teleporting	Empty/ Tool/Weapon	Ender pearl/Chorus fruit	Use ender pearls Ender Pearl Type Raw materials Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (16) Internal ID PC: 14 PE: 87 Network ID PC: 65 Entity ID ender_pearl First appearances See History Data value dec: 368 hex: 170 bin: 101110000 Name in the off-hand to escape a fight or travel long distances without having to switch between items in the hotbar. Chorus fruits Chorus Fruit Type Food Restores 4 () Cookable Yes Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (64) First appearances See History Data value dec: 432 hex: 1B0 bin: 110110000 Name chorus_fruit See the fruit that drops from chorus can be used for teleporting in enclosed spaces or caverns.
Combat	Blocking	Sword/Axe	Shield	Equip a shield Shield Type Combat Durability 337 Renewable Yes Stackable No First appearances See History Data value dec: 442 hex: 1BA bin: 110111010 Name shield Shields are tools used for protecting the player against attacks. Contents 1 Obtaining 1.1 Crafting on the off-hand for protection while having a melee weapon equipped on the main to attack. Left-click to hit and block Blocking is a gameplay mechanic which allows players to block attacks. Contents 1 Usage 1.1 Computer edition 1.2 Console edition 2 Video 3 History 4 Issues 5 Trivia 6 See also Usage edit | edit attacks by right-clicking. Shields are unusable with ranged weapons like bows as they both require right-clicking.
	Arrow swapping	Bow	Arrows	Any arrows Arrow Type Combat Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable Yes (64) Internal ID Normal / Tipped: PC: 10, PE: 80 Spectral: PC: 24 Network ID Normal / Tipped: PC: 60 Spectral: PC: 91 Entity ID Normal in your off-hand is used up first when you fire your bow. Switch between different arrows by selecting them on the hotbar with the main hand and pressing F to swap them with the arrows in the off-hand.
	Arrow swapping (alternative)	Arrows	Bow	This alternative method works as well, since any arrow in your main hand (selected on the hotbar) is prioritized first when you fire a bow with your off-hand. This method is actually more efficient as you can simply scroll between the arrows in your hotbar to select your desired ammunition.
	Melee-ranged set	Sword/Axe	Bow	You can fire a bow Bow Type Combat Durability 385 Renewable Yes Stackable No First appearances See History Data value dec: 261 hex: 105 bin: 100000101 Name bow A bow is a ranged weapon that fires arrows. Contents 1 Obtaining 1.1 Skeletons 1.2 with your off-hand and hit mobs and players with your sword Sword Type Combat Durability Wooden: 60 Golden: 33 Stone: 132 Iron: 251 Diamond: 1562 Renewable Yes Stackable No Data values See Data values Name See Data values Swords are melee weapons that are mainly used or axe Axe Type Tools Durability Wood: 60 uses Stone: 132 uses Iron: 251 uses Golden: 33 uses Diamond: 1562 uses Renewable Yes Stackable No First appearances See History Data values See Data values Name See Data at close range, giving you dominance throughout the entire battlefield.
	Imbue/Cure effects	Weapon	Potions/Milk	Have a potion Potion Type Potions Durability N/A Renewable Yes Stackable No First appearances See History Data values See Data values Name See Data values See the drinkable potions. For the throwable potions, see Splash readily equipped on your off-hand to drink it and boost you with status effects right before going to battle. Alternatively, have milk equipped instead to quickly cure yourself when you get inflicted with a harmful effect.
Construction	Pillaring with ladders	Ladder	A block	Ladders can only be placed next to a block, so your off-hand will place a block on the ground first before you place the ladder on it. Holding the forward key and the right-click button will repeatedly place blocks and ladders while simultaneously climbing up.
	TNT destruction	TNT	Flint and steel	Run around your objective while right-clicking, and once you can`t place anymore or run out of TNT, you`ll proceed to ignite each of them with the flint and steel.
Farming	Plowing and planting crops	Hoe	Seeds	Players can right-click and hold to hoe dirt into farmland then instantly plant a seed on that block. Since seeds cannot be planted on anywhere else except farmland, players don`t have to worry about accidentally misplanting elsewhere.
	Bonemeal crops	Bonemeal	Seeds	If there is already a patch of farmland Farmland Transparency PC: Partial (Blocks light) PE: Yes Luminance No Blast resistance 3 Tool Renewable No Stackable Yes (64) Flammable No Drops Dirt (1) Data value dec: 60 hex: 3C bin: 111100 Name farmland “ Want to live , players can plant seeds then instantly grow them to crops if they hold bonemeal on their main hand with seeds on the off-hand, or vice-versa. Bonemeal won`t be wasted as you cannot use it on a full grown crop.
	Herding animals	Anything	Food	Hold a specific food Foods (or Foodstuffs as considered by the Creative inventory) are consumable items that when eaten restore hunger points and sometimes cause status effects. They are essential to the player s survival, as going without them will item on the off-hand to herd or breed animals, while freeing up the main hand to preform other tasks. Players can also hold two different foods on each hand and effortlessly lead multiple types of animals.
Information	Mini-map	Anything	Map	Maps held on the off-hand shrinks down to a mini-map that is displayed on the bottom-left or right corner of the screen. This is extremely helpful for players who want to record a map or indicate themselves in the world while preforming other tasks with the main hand.
	Keeping time	Anything	Clock	Clocks held on the off-hand can be used to conveniently display the time on-screen.
	Tracking the spawn point	Anything	Compass	Compasses held on the off-hand can be used to display the direction of the spawn point.
Mining	Lighting up caves	Pickaxe	Torch	Having a torch in the off-hand saves a considerable amount of time by eliminating the need to switch back and forth from your pickaxe when lighting up dark caves. It also saves a slot in the hotbar for another item.
	Cooling lava pools	Pickaxe	Water bucket	Players can quickly dump and refill water above pools of lava with a water bucket while mining in the lower levels of caverns without having to constantly switch their tools.
	Nether mining	Pickaxe	A block	Mining in the Nether is dangerous enough, until the player encounters one-block lava pockets. Lava in the Nether flows much quicker than in the Overworld, so players need to act fast when blocking it before it comes to contact. Having a block already equipped on your off-hand can potentially save precious seconds from a possible fiery death.