Elytra, being the king of traversal within Minecraft's vast worlds, are a highly valuable item on their own, but they can always be made better through enchantments. For this guide, we'll be going over some enchantments that may just make your flights all that much better!
Can Elytra Be Enchanted?
The Elytra itself, while it cannot be directly enchanted within the enchanting table, can easily be enchanted using an anvil and an enchanted book. Hope you've been saving them, as you may just find a useful one here!
Best Elytra Enchantments
#1: Mending
Mending is an enchantment that will use your gained XP to restore durability to damaged items with Mending in your main hand, offhand, or armor slots. This means that your Elytra will repair itself while equipped after collecting XP orbs, such as those dropped after your skirmishes with mobs. In other words, it's a very good way to keep your Elytra in good condition, even with prolonged flights!
#2: Unbreaking
Hot on Mending's trail is Unbreaking. Unbreaking effectively increases the durability of an item by reducing the rate the item depletes, and has a maximum of 3 levels. The higher, the better. Combining this with Mending makes the Elytra nearly indestructible, so long as you collect XP every now and again.
Best Supporting Enchantments for Elytra
The following enchantments can NOT be applied to the Elytra, but can complement or enhance its ability, open new areas of attack, or keep you alive in a pinch.
#1: Protection, Projectile Protection, Blast Protection, or Fire Protection - Armor
As the Elytra has no armor value, you will suffer more damage in combat with either players or mobs. As such, it is heavily recommended your armor is enchanted with some type of protection-based enchantment to cover for the lack of a chestplate. Your Elytra is no use if you're dead, after all!
#2: Feather Falling - Boots
While not exactly useful in the hands of an expert of the Elytra, Feather Falling can be a great safety net against surprise encounters with terrain. Feather Falling will reduce the amount of damage you take when falling to the ground, potentially saving your life if you weren't paying enough attention. Feather Falling will NOT save you if you crash headfirst into a wall or mountainside, however, so keep your eyes straight for any incoming obstacles.
Offensive Elytra Support Enchantments
#3: Multishot - Crossbow
Aerial strafing runs your type of thing? Grab yourself a Multishot enchanted crossbow! Being airborne, you'll be a difficult target for most players and mobs to handle, and with 3 arrows for the price of one, it'll be somewhat easier to hit targets on the ground. Combine this with Quick Charge to rain arrows at an alarming rate. Just be sure to pack extras!
#4: Wind Burst - Mace
Need a quick boost to get you going? Wind Burst, an enchantment for maces, is here for you! Effectively, Wind Burst causes successful smash attacks to launch you vertically upwards around 7 blocks per enchantment level. This enchantment maxes out at 3 levels, meaning you can send yourself up a good 21 blocks in an instant. While situational at best, Wind Burst can be effective at giving yourself a jumpstart without the use of fireworks, or gives you an extra opportunity to reposition following your risky maneuver.
Travel Support Enchantments
#5: Riptide - Trident
If you're flying through rain, snow, or near water, a Riptide enchanted trident can be a fantastic companion to your Elytra. Riptide launches the player in the direction they are facing, allowing you to gain speed or take off without relying entirely on fireworks. This is especially useful when traveling over oceans or during rainy weather. Just keep in mind that Riptide can only be used when the player is wet, and it cannot be combined with Loyalty or Channeling.