Get better at PvP on Bedrock
The basics of Bedrock combat (no attack cooldown, hit invulnerability, knockback), then a concrete training plan for phone, controller and keyboard and mouse.
Published 23 October 2026 by the PaffMC team
What the kit contains
On PaffMC, both players get exactly the same kit when the duel starts. Nothing is bought, nothing comes from a rank.
| Classic duel | Diamond sword with Sharpness IV, full diamond armour with Protection IV, 64 golden apples, 3 splash potions of Strength II, 3 splash potions of Speed II |
|---|---|
| Stick duel | The same kit, but the sword is replaced by a stick with Sharpness IV and Knockback II, with its own Elo |
| Loot duel | A loot phase with no attacks, then the fight with what you found |
With Protection IV everywhere and 64 apples, a duel is not won with a single combo: it is won by managing your resources.
The first ten seconds
- Throw a Speed potion at your feet as soon as the fight starts: it lasts, and it gives you the initiative on movement.
- Do not throw Strength right away. Wait for the first exchange: if you take the lead, that is the moment to throw it and turn the lead into a kill.
- Go for the first hit. Whoever hits first pushes the other back and keeps control.
Golden apples: when and where
A golden apple gives absorption and regeneration, but eating it takes time during which you do not hit. The rule: eat when you are far away, right after being knocked back, never in melee range. If your opponent keeps chasing you, circle an obstacle or back off diagonally to buy the seconds you need.
Splash potions
- Aim at your feet by looking down: the potion breaks on you and not next to you.
- Throw Speed again before it runs out if your opponent still has theirs.
- Keep one Strength for the end of the duel, when both players are low on apples: that is when it decides the fight.
Sudden death
On PaffMC, a duel cannot last forever. After 1 min 30 s of fighting, each player is set to 5 hearts and no healing works any more: no apples, no potions, no regeneration. At 2 min 30 s, whoever has more health wins. If health is equal, the next hit decides.
In practice: if you lead on health as 2:30 approaches, keep your distance and avoid trades. If you are behind, you have to attack. A countdown shows above your hotbar.
Ranked, quick or with friends
- /ranked: the ranked queue, with Elo (see how Elo works).
- /duel rapide: the same fight, without Elo. Ideal to practise.
- /duel name: challenge a friend, never ranked.
- /ranked stick: the ranked Stick queue, with its own Elo.
When no other player is free in the queue, a bot may offer you a match so you do not have to wait. It is always shown as a bot, and a ranked match against a bot does not change your Elo. All modes are on the Modes page.