Description
A damaged anvil is a version of the anvil block that shows visible wear and tear while still functioning as a practical tool for repairing and renaming items in Minecraft. Anvils have three visual states that show increasing amounts of damage and bending. The damaged anvil has a bent top and chipped edges that make it clear that repairs have been performed on it many times. Despite its worn appearance the damaged anvil continues to provide the same core functions as a normal anvil. Players can place items on the anvil to repair tools gear and weapons at the cost of experience levels and materials. The damaged anvil still accepts enchantment combining and renaming operations though the cost can vary based on prior work and the items involved. One important game mechanic is that anvils have a chance to further degrade each time they are used. Over time a normal anvil will progress to a slightly damaged state then to a damaged state and finally to a very damaged state at which point it may break when used again. This creates a natural lifecycle for anvils and encourages players to manage resources and plan repairs carefully. The damaged anvil remains a popular sight in survival bases and workshops because it signals active use and maintenance of items. Players who like to establish themed builds often include damaged anvils in repair shops to give a lived in authentic look. Because anvils can fall when there is no block beneath them the placement of a damaged anvil requires care to avoid accidental destruction. The damaged anvil is both a useful gameplay tool and an atmospheric decoration that enhances the realism of a working base in survival mode.
What is Damaged Anvil?
A damaged anvil is one of the visual stages of the anvil block that indicates heavy use and partial breakage while still allowing repairs renaming and enchantment combining. It looks bent and chipped compared to a new anvil but keeps the functional mechanics that make anvils valuable for item maintenance. The block is part of the anvil family which has predictable degradation behavior so players can plan for eventual replacement. When used repeatedly an anvil will wear down from a fresh state through damaged states and finally to a broken salvage state. Using a damaged anvil still consumes experience levels for repairs and can require material cost depending on the repair method chosen. The damaged anvil is commonly found in player built workshops or themed environments where the aesthetic of maintenance and repair is desired. It serves both as a functional gameplay object and as a decorative detail that signals activity in a base.
Where to find Damaged Anvil
Damaged anvils do not spawn naturally in the world and must be created or result from player use of a normal anvil. Players craft a normal anvil using iron blocks and iron ingots then place it in the world. After repeated use the anvil will change its visual state to show increasing damage. You may also find anvils as loot in certain structures on some maps but in standard survival play the damaged anvil usually appears because players used the anvil frequently until it degraded. The need to craft and then maintain anvils means they are often found near furnaces workbenches and storage areas in player bases. Because anvils can fall due to gravity they are sometimes placed on solid ground or supported by blocks to prevent accidental drops that can destroy the anvil.
How to get Damaged Anvil
To obtain a damaged anvil players first craft a normal anvil from iron materials then use it repeatedly until it degrades to the damaged state. The crafting recipe requires three iron blocks across the top row and four iron ingots arranged in the center spaces of the remaining two rows to make a single anvil. Place and use the anvil to repair items combine enchantments or rename gear. Each use has a chance to increase the anvil wear so over time the anvil will change its appearance from new to slightly worn to damaged. If you need a damaged anvil immediately for aesthetic reasons you can craft a fresh anvil and then use it a few times on low value items to accelerate the degradation. In creative mode you can give yourself a damaged anvil directly using the game command shown below.
Release Information
First introduced: Anvil blocks were added in Minecraft 1.4 The Pretty Scary Update in 2012 with degradation states introduced as part of the anvil mechanics
Give Command
/give @p minecraft:damaged_anvil
How to use Damaged Anvil
Players use a damaged anvil exactly like a regular anvil for repairing combining and renaming items. Right click the anvil to open the repair and rename interface then place the item and materials in the correct slots to perform repairs or to combine enchantments. The experience levels required and the material cost are displayed before confirming the action. Because the anvil is damaged there is a chance that further use may increase the wear or break the anvil entirely so plan repairs carefully especially when working with expensive items. Anvils can also be used to apply name tags or to reset item names. In addition the falling anvil mechanic makes anvils useful in traps and redstone contraptions but be cautious as falling anvils can destroy items or harm players.
Recipes for Damaged Anvil
This item cannot be crafted.