CrossArms

CrossArms

CrossArms is a datapack that expands the crossbow into a full weapon platform.
It adds new enchantments, reworks Multishot, introduces advanced projectile mechanics, and allows crossbows to function as automatic weapons, shotguns, high-velocity rifles, and explosive launchers.

Some enchantments are intentionally incompatible to prevent extreme stacking and to preserve distinct weapon roles.

New Enchantments

Capacity (I–IV)

Allows a crossbow to store multiple arrows per charge, turning it into a multi-round weapon.

• Increases maximum loaded arrows to 4 / 8 / 12 / 16
• Removes the need to reload after every shot
• Works only with regular arrows; other projectiles charge normally
• Increases crossbow charge time
• Incompatible with: Multishot, Acceleration, Bombard, Frenzy

Acceleration (I–V)

Greatly increases projectile initial speed, turning the crossbow into a high-velocity weapon.

• Increases projectile speed by 2× / 3× / 4× / 5× / 6×
• Faster projectiles fly farther and deal more damage
• Incompatible with: Quick Charge, Capacity, Bombard, Frenzy

Zero Drop

Disables projectile gravity while sufficient velocity is maintained.

• Greatly improves vertical accuracy
• Disables critical hits
• Incompatible with: Piercing, Bombard, Multishot

Ricochet (I–IV)

Allows arrows to bounce off blocks.

• Each level grants +1 additional bounce
• Bounces will not occur if projectile speed is too low
• Each bounce reduces arrow speed
• Incompatible with: Piercing, Bombard, Deflector

Deflector

Turns arrows into projectile reflectors.

• Fired arrows can reflect other projectiles
• Reflected projectiles copy the Deflector arrow’s speed and direction
• Cannot reflect other Deflector arrows
• Compatible with Acceleration
• Incompatible with: Piercing, Quick Charge, Ricochet, Bombard, Frenzy

Recycling (I–III)

Allows partial recovery of ammunition after hitting a target.

• 25% / 50% / 75% chance to return the arrow to the shooter
• Works only with regular arrows
• Incompatible with: Multishot

Bombard

Converts the crossbow into a true explosive weapon.

• Direct hits cause immediate explosions
• Explosions destroy blocks similarly to TNT
• Hitting a block spawns ignited TNT that explodes after 1 second
• Each shot consumes 15 durability instead of 1
• Increases crossbow charge time
• Incompatible with: Multishot, Piercing, Capacity, Acceleration, Zero Drop, Ricochet, Deflector, Frenzy

Frenzy

Turns the crossbow into a minigun-like weapon.

• Automatically feeds normal arrows from the inventory
• Introduces a heat mechanic
• Auto-loading stops when the crossbow reaches 1 durability
• Once at 1 durability, the crossbow cannot be manually loaded
• Designed for sustained fire by holding right-click
• Incompatible with: Multishot, Piercing, Quick Charge, Capacity, Acceleration, Deflector, Bombard

Heat:
Heat is applied to the player, not the weapon, and persists even if the weapon is dropped.

• Shooting with Frenzy increases heat
• Heat gradually decreases over time
• Higher heat increases Frenzy damage
• At minimal heat, Frenzy damage is reduced

Heat thresholds:

• Level 3 (red): Player begins taking fire damage (can be prevented with Fire Resistance)
• Level 5 (black): Continuing to fire will break the crossbow (down to 2 durability, allowing one final shot before becoming unusable until repaired)

Level 3 and Level 5 transitions are signaled on shot, allowing time to stop firing.

Changed

Multishot

Reworked to further embrace its shotgun role.

• Now has 3 levels instead of 1
• Each level adds 2 additional projectiles (7 at level III)
• Horizontal spread increases with each level
• At level I, the spread is lower than in vanilla
• Added Neighboring Bonus to fired arrows
• Incompatible with: Capacity, Recycling, Bombard, Zero Drop, Frenzy

Neighboring Bonus:
When multiple Multishot projectiles are close to each other, they increase each other’s damage.
This significantly boosts short-range effectiveness.
Only one arrow can register a true hit, while others may bounce off, penetrate, or be removed.
Effective range is roughly 3 blocks and may vary due to natural spread.

Piercing

Now arrows shot with the enchantment leave a particle trail.

Crossbow Skins

CrossArms also adds cosmetic crossbow skins.

• Applied via the Smithing Table
• Purely cosmetic — no gameplay advantages
• Default appearance can be restored with a stick
• Includes 11 material variants (Copper, Iron, Gold, Diamond, Netherite etc.)
• Unlock the “Locked and Loaded” advancement by collecting all skins

⚠ If installed as a datapack, CrossArms must also be installed as a resource pack to display skins correctly.