Minecraft: How to Counter Mace & Wind Charge Combos

Have you ever been in a tough Minecraft fight, only to be suddenly blasted into the air?

Before you know what’s happening, your opponent crashes down on you with the new Mace, and it’s game over.

This deadly Mace and Wind Charge combo is changing PvP, and it can feel totally unstoppable.

But don’t worry, it’s not hopeless. With the right tricks and a cool head, you can turn this scary new attack into an opportunity.

We’re going to walk you through exactly how to dodge, block, and fight back against this powerful combo, so you can stay in the fight and even come out on top.

Understanding the Mace & Wind Charge Combo Threat

Imagine you’re in a heated Minecraft PvP battle. Suddenly, your opponent uses a new trick that sends you flying into the air.

Before you can even react, they drop down on you with a mighty weapon, dealing massive damage.

This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it’s the terrifying reality of facing the Mace and Wind Charge combo.

This new combination, introduced in recent updates, has completely changed how players approach combat.

The Mace: A Game-Changing Weapon

The mace isn’t just another sword or axe.

It’s a heavy-hitting weapon with a unique ability: its damage scales based on how far you fall before hitting an enemy.

The higher the drop, the more devastating the hit, and it can even ignore a portion of your opponent’s armor.

Mastering this weapon alone requires understanding its mechanics, which you can learn more about in our Minecraft Mace PvP Guide 2025.

The Wind Charge: Your Enemy’s Aerial Advantage

The Wind Charge, dropped by Breezes, is essentially a throwable burst of air.

It can knock enemies away or launch them upwards, creating the perfect opening for an aerial attack.

For the player using it, it can also provide a small jump boost, perfect for gaining height quickly.

We’ve covered the basics of using Wind Charges in Minecraft PvP in another guide.

The Combo’s Lethal Synergy

When these two items work together, the result is deadly.

An opponent throws a Wind Charge at you, launching you helplessly into the air.

While you’re airborne, they use another Wind Charge on themselves to quickly gain height above you.

Then, they drop down, delivering a super-charged mace blow.

This combo can instantly knock out even well-armored players, as the mace’s bonus fall damage bypasses traditional defenses.

It’s incredibly fast and leaves very little room for reaction, making it a serious threat in multiplayer PvP.

A 2021 Statista survey found that a majority of players-62%-prefer multiplayer, increasing the chances you’ll encounter this devastating tactic.

Why This Combo is a Serious Threat

• High Burst Damage: It can deal massive, often lethal, damage in one quick sequence.
• Bypasses Armor: The mace’s fall damage bonus can largely ignore traditional armor protections.
• Mobility Control: Wind Charges dictate enemy and player movement, making escape difficult.
• Surprise Factor: It’s a relatively new tactic that can catch many experienced players off guard.

Understanding this threat is the first step toward defending against it.

Knowing what your opponent is trying to do helps you predict their moves and react effectively.

Master Defensive Counter-Strategies

When an opponent tries to hit you with a Wind Charge and Mace combo, your first instinct might be to panic.

Don’t.

A calm, strategic defense can neutralize the threat before it ever gets off the ground.

Dodge, Weave, and Listen

The best way to survive the combo is to avoid the initial Wind Charge entirely.

Listen closely for the distinct “whoosh” sound of a Wind Charge being thrown-that’s your cue to move.

Make yourself a difficult target by sprinting, strafing unpredictably, and changing direction.

Use your surroundings to your advantage by ducking behind trees or pillars to block the projectile.

Always try to keep open space around you to avoid being cornered, as this gives you room to be knocked back without suffering a fatal fall.

Use Your Shield to Block the Setup

Your shield is your single most effective tool against this combo.

You can completely block an incoming Wind Charge with your shield, which negates the knockback and prevents you from being launched into the air.

This breaks your opponent’s combo before it can even start.

Practice timing your shield deployment to raise it as soon as you see or hear the Wind Charge.

However, be aware that while the shield stops the setup, the Mace’s smash attack (if it connects from a significant height) can bypass your shield’s protection.

The goal is to block the Wind Charge and stay on the ground.

Fortify Your Defense with Armor and Enchantments

Good armor is your backbone in any PvP fight, but against the mace, certain enchantments are non-negotiable.

Since the Mace’s power comes from amplifying fall damage, reducing that damage type is critical.

• Protection IV: Reduces almost all incoming damage. This should be on every piece of your armor.
• Feather Falling IV: Drastically reduces fall damage. This is the most important enchantment for countering the Mace.
• Unbreaking III & Mending: These enchantments ensure your armor lasts longer and can be repaired with experience, keeping you protected throughout the fight.

Having the right gear can be the difference between surviving a hit and instant defeat.

For a deeper dive, check out our guide on the Best Armor Enchantments for Minecraft PvP.

Escape Mid-Air with Key Utility Items

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you’ll get launched into the air. When this happens, quick thinking and the right utility items can save your life.

• Ender Pearls: Your “get out of jail free” card. If you get launched, immediately throw an Ender Pearl toward safe ground. This will teleport you away, denying the Mace user their fall damage bonus and breaking the combo.
• Water Bucket: The classic MLG water bucket save is vital. As you fall, aim at the ground and place water just before you land to completely negate all fall damage. This move requires practice but makes you nearly immune to fall-based attacks.
• Potion of Slow Falling: If you have time to drink one as you’re launched, this potion is a hard counter. It completely nullifies the Mace’s fall damage bonus by making you descend slowly, turning your opponent’s greatest strength into a weakness.

Keeping these items on your hotbar is crucial for reacting in time.

To learn more about mastering evasive tools, read our guide on Master Ender Pearls: Your Guide to PvP Escapes & Attacks.

Aggressive Counters & Turning the Tide

Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense.

Instead of waiting to react, taking an aggressive approach can disrupt the Mace and Wind Charge combo and put the fight back in your control.

Don’t Let Them Get High

The mace combo relies on fall damage.

If your opponent can’t get above you, their weapon is far less threatening.

As soon as you see them pulling out Wind Charges or trying to gain height, rush them.

Closing the distance quickly forces them to fight on your terms-on the ground, where the Mace’s primary advantage is nullified.

Use Ender Pearls to teleport directly to them or simply sprint to apply pressure and disrupt their setup.

Shoot Them Out of the Sky

An airborne opponent is a predictable target.

When they use a Wind Charge to propel themselves upward, they often move in a simple, straight arc.

This is the perfect opportunity to punish them with ranged weapons.

A well-aimed bow shot or a volley from a Quick Charge crossbow can deal significant damage, knock them off course, and disrupt their attack.

Deciding between these two powerful ranged weapons can be tough.

You can learn more about which is right for you in our guide: Quick Charge Crossbow vs Power V Bow: Which is Better?



Exploit the Landing Window

Even if a mace user successfully lands a strike, they are briefly vulnerable the moment they hit the ground.

This small window, often called a “recovery frame,” is your chance to counter-attack.

Anticipate where they will land and be ready with your sword or axe.

A critical hit or a swift combo can punish their recovery and allow you to seize the offensive momentum.

Key Aggressive Tools for Counters

Having the right tools on your hotbar allows you to switch from defense to offense seamlessly.

• Bow/Crossbow: To punish airborne targets.
• Ender Pearls: For closing gaps or gaining a superior position.
• Potions (Swiftness, Strength): To boost your speed and damage for a decisive rush.
• Blocks: To quickly build up and disrupt your opponent’s fall path or line of sight.

Remember, being aggressive doesn’t mean being reckless.

It means being proactive and using intelligent pressure to dismantle your opponent’s strategy before they can execute it.