Mastering Enchantments: A Guide to the Chosen Enchantments Data Pack
Enchanting in Minecraft can sometimes feel like a gamble. You toss your gear onto the enchanting table, feed it lapis lazuli, and hope for something useful—only to end up with Bane of Arthropods for the fifth time. The Chosen Enchantments data pack changes that by giving you direct control over which enchantment you get, at least at level 1. Whether you're preparing a new set of tools or simply want a reliable way to stockpile specific enchanted books, this data pack removes the randomness and puts the power in your hands.
What is the Chosen Enchantments Data Pack?
Chosen Enchantments is a lightweight data pack that introduces a crafting-like system for creating enchanted books. Instead of relying on the enchanting table's unpredictable offers, you rename a regular book with the exact name of the desired enchantment, and through a simple process, it transforms into an enchanted book of that type. It supports all standard enchantments, including rare ones like Mending, but by default excludes treasure enchantments—though that can be changed. The pack works in vanilla Minecraft without any mods, making it server-friendly and easy to share with friends.
How It Works: Version 3+ Simplified
In the latest versions of the data pack, the process has been streamlined to a single step. Here's what you do:
- Take a regular book and rename it using an anvil. The name must match exactly the enchantment you want—for example, "Sharpness", "Respiration", or "Mending". Do not include a level number; only the enchantment's base name is needed.
- Once the book is named correctly, it will automatically convert into an enchanted book containing that level 1 enchantment. No additional items or blocks are required.
This direct approach makes it incredibly fast to generate specific books for your enchanting setup. It's perfect for players who want to avoid grinding for librarian villagers or endlessly cycling the enchanting table.
The Classic Method: Versions 1 and 2
If you're using an older version of the data pack, the original method is a bit more involved but equally reliable. The ritual-like process adds a touch of magic to the transformation:
- Rename a book with the exact enchantment name, just as in the newer version.
- Throw the renamed book onto an enchanting table.
- Toss a piece of lapis lazuli onto the enchanting table as well.
- If the name matches an enchantment, particles will appear, a sound will play, the lapis will be consumed, and the book will turn into the corresponding enchanted book.
This method feels more integrated with vanilla mechanics, using the enchanting table as a catalyst. Many players still prefer this version for its immersive quality, even though the newer one is more convenient.
Customization and Treasure Enchantments
By default, treasure enchantments—like Frost Walker, Soul Speed, or Swift Sneak—cannot be created using this data pack. This is a deliberate design choice to keep those special enchantments rare and valuable. However, if you want to unlock them, the data pack includes a configuration file that's easy to edit. Inside the pack's .zip file, navigate to data/cho_chant/functions/config.mcfunction. There, you'll find settings that control which enchantments are allowed. A quick tweak can enable treasure enchantments, making the pack fully customizable to your playstyle.
When tinkering with config files, it's handy to have a launcher that simplifies data pack management. For instance, the foxygame.net launcher provides a flexible, modern interface where you can install and toggle data packs directly from the menu, saving you from digging through game folders manually. This kind of tool makes experimenting with different configurations a breeze.
Troubleshooting and Tips
If your renamed book isn't transforming, the issue is almost always spelling or capitalization. The data pack is case-sensitive, so "mending" will not work—it must be "Mending". Always double-check the official Minecraft Wiki for the exact enchantment names. Also, remember that this pack only supports English enchantment names as of its current release. If you play in another language, you may need to switch to English or seek a translated version.
Another common mistake is accidentally including the level number in the book's name. For example, naming a book "Sharpness I" will fail because the pack expects only "Sharpness". Keep it simple, and the transformation will trigger reliably.
Conclusion
The Chosen Enchantments data pack is a small but mighty addition to any Minecraft world. It eliminates the frustration of random enchantments while still feeling balanced—you only get level 1 books, so you'll still need an anvil to combine them into higher levels. Whether you prefer the instant conversion of version 3 or the ritualistic throw-and-wait of the original, this pack gives you agency over your gear without breaking the game's progression. If you've ever wished for a more predictable enchanting system, this data pack is well worth adding to your collection.