How to Avoid the "Too Expensive!" Anvil Message by Swapping Items

In survival, an anvil refuses an operation that costs too many levels and shows "Too Expensive!". Sometimes the reversed item order brings the cost down enough to get past this. The swap button can help.

Steps

1. Place your items in the anvil and see whether the result shows "Too Expensive!" or a very high cost.

2. Check whether the swap button is glowing.

3. If it glows, click it. The items trade slots.

4. Look at the new cost. If it's lower, you can collect the result if you have enough levels.

5. If the button doesn't glow, swapping can't reduce the cost, so you'll need another approach.

Other Ways to Cut Cost

• Combine items in a different sequence. Merging small pieces before the final step often costs less than adding one book at a time to a heavily worked item.
• Remember that each anvil use on an item makes later operations pricier, so plan your combines before starting.
• Check the swap button at every step, not just the last. A saving early on can keep the later costs manageable.

The swap won't change the final enchantments, so you give up nothing by using it.