Java Edition guides/Redstone Update

Redstone Update
Edition

Java Edition

Official name

Redstone Update

Version(s)

This guide is a simplified overview of all the changes in the Redstone Update (Java Edition 1.5.x releases), which assumes at least some familiarity with the Pretty Scary Update (Java Edition 1.4.x releases).

Mobs

Changed

Name Image Changed
All mobs No longer walk over rails unless they are pursuing the player.
Skeletons
  • Now shoot from 15 blocks away, instead of 10.
  • Now shoot faster when their target is close, depending on difficulty.
Slimes Spawn rates in swamps now depend on the current moon phase.
Zombies
  • Now group up on targets.
  • They can now set players on fire when on fire themselves.
  • Increased zombies attack damage.
  • Increased player detection range.

Blocks

New

Name Image Obtaining Tool Required Uses
Activator rail
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Iron Ingot +
Stick +
Redstone Torch
Pickaxe
  • Minecarts eject their passengers, if on an activated rail.
  • Can be used to explode TNT minecart.
Block of redstone
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Redstone
Invicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: Redstone
Invicon Block of Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Block of Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Block of Redstone with description: Block of Redstone
Pickaxe Acts as a redstone power source.
Daylight sensor
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Glass +
Nether Quartz +
Any Wooden Slab
Invicon Glass.png: Inventory sprite for Glass in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Glass with description: GlassInvicon Glass.png: Inventory sprite for Glass in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Glass with description: GlassInvicon Glass.png: Inventory sprite for Glass in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Glass with description: GlassInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Oak Slab with description: Oak SlabInvicon Spruce Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Spruce Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Spruce Slab with description: Spruce SlabInvicon Birch Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Birch Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Birch Slab with description: Birch SlabInvicon Jungle Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Jungle Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Jungle Slab with description: Jungle SlabInvicon Acacia Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Acacia Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Acacia Slab with description: Acacia SlabInvicon Dark Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Dark Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Dark Oak Slab with description: Dark Oak SlabInvicon Mangrove Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Mangrove Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Mangrove Slab with description: Mangrove SlabInvicon Cherry Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Cherry Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cherry Slab with description: Cherry SlabInvicon Pale Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Pale Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Pale Oak Slab with description: Pale Oak SlabInvicon Bamboo Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Bamboo Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Bamboo Slab with description: Bamboo SlabInvicon Crimson Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Crimson Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Crimson Slab with description: Crimson SlabInvicon Warped Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Warped Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Warped Slab with description: Warped SlabInvicon Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Oak Slab with description: Oak SlabInvicon Spruce Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Spruce Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Spruce Slab with description: Spruce SlabInvicon Birch Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Birch Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Birch Slab with description: Birch SlabInvicon Jungle Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Jungle Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Jungle Slab with description: Jungle SlabInvicon Acacia Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Acacia Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Acacia Slab with description: Acacia SlabInvicon Dark Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Dark Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Dark Oak Slab with description: Dark Oak SlabInvicon Mangrove Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Mangrove Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Mangrove Slab with description: Mangrove SlabInvicon Cherry Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Cherry Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cherry Slab with description: Cherry SlabInvicon Pale Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Pale Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Pale Oak Slab with description: Pale Oak SlabInvicon Bamboo Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Bamboo Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Bamboo Slab with description: Bamboo SlabInvicon Crimson Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Crimson Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Crimson Slab with description: Crimson SlabInvicon Warped Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Warped Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Warped Slab with description: Warped SlabInvicon Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Oak Slab with description: Oak SlabInvicon Spruce Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Spruce Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Spruce Slab with description: Spruce SlabInvicon Birch Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Birch Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Birch Slab with description: Birch SlabInvicon Jungle Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Jungle Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Jungle Slab with description: Jungle SlabInvicon Acacia Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Acacia Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Acacia Slab with description: Acacia SlabInvicon Dark Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Dark Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Dark Oak Slab with description: Dark Oak SlabInvicon Mangrove Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Mangrove Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Mangrove Slab with description: Mangrove SlabInvicon Cherry Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Cherry Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cherry Slab with description: Cherry SlabInvicon Pale Oak Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Pale Oak Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Pale Oak Slab with description: Pale Oak SlabInvicon Bamboo Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Bamboo Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Bamboo Slab with description: Bamboo SlabInvicon Crimson Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Crimson Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Crimson Slab with description: Crimson SlabInvicon Warped Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Warped Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Warped Slab with description: Warped Slab
Invicon Daylight Detector.png: Inventory sprite for Daylight Detector in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Daylight Detector with description: Daylight Detector
Any Produces redstone power only during the day.
Dropper
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Cobblestone +
Redstone
Invicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: CobblestoneInvicon Redstone.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone with description: RedstoneInvicon Cobblestone.png: Inventory sprite for Cobblestone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cobblestone with description: Cobblestone
Invicon Dropper.png: Inventory sprite for Dropper in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Dropper with description: Dropper
Pickaxe Ejects item entities out of its inventory, can be used for item transport.
Hopper
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Iron Ingot +
Chest
Invicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron IngotInvicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron IngotInvicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron IngotInvicon Chest.png: Inventory sprite for Chest in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Chest with description: ChestInvicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron IngotInvicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron Ingot
Invicon Hopper.png: Inventory sprite for Hopper in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Hopper with description: Hopper
Pickaxe Picks up item entities into its inventory, can be used for item transport.
Redstone comparator
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Redstone Torch +
Nether Quartz +
Stone
Invicon Redstone Torch.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone Torch in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone Torch with description: Redstone TorchInvicon Redstone Torch.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone Torch in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone Torch with description: Redstone TorchInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Redstone Torch.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone Torch in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone Torch with description: Redstone TorchInvicon Stone.png: Inventory sprite for Stone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Stone with description: StoneInvicon Stone.png: Inventory sprite for Stone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Stone with description: StoneInvicon Stone.png: Inventory sprite for Stone in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Stone with description: Stone
Invicon Redstone Comparator.png: Inventory sprite for Redstone Comparator in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Redstone Comparator with description: Redstone Comparator
Any Compares redstone signals.
Trapped chest
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Chest +
Tripwire Hook
Invicon Chest.png: Inventory sprite for Chest in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Chest with description: ChestInvicon Tripwire Hook.png: Inventory sprite for Tripwire Hook in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Tripwire Hook with description: Tripwire Hook
Invicon Trapped Chest.png: Inventory sprite for Trapped Chest in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Trapped Chest with description: Trapped Chest
Axe Can be used for traps.
Weighted pressure plates
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Iron Ingot
Invicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron IngotInvicon Iron Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Iron Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Iron Ingot with description: Iron Ingot
Invicon Heavy Weighted Pressure Plate.png: Inventory sprite for Heavy Weighted Pressure Plate in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Heavy Weighted Pressure Plate with description: Heavy Weighted Pressure Plate
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Gold Ingot
Invicon Gold Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Gold Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Gold Ingot with description: Gold IngotInvicon Gold Ingot.png: Inventory sprite for Gold Ingot in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Gold Ingot with description: Gold Ingot
Invicon Light Weighted Pressure Plate.png: Inventory sprite for Light Weighted Pressure Plate in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Light Weighted Pressure Plate with description: Light Weighted Pressure Plate
Pickaxe
  • More items on pressure plate increases the redstone signal.
    • Full signal strength on light weighted plate is reached at 60 items.
    • Full signal strength on heavy weighted plate is reached at 600 items.
Nether quartz ore Generates in any Nether biome. Pickaxe (drops Nether quartz unless Silk Touch is used) Source of Nether quartz.
Block of quartz
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Nether Quartz
Invicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether QuartzInvicon Nether Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Quartz with description: Nether Quartz
Invicon Block of Quartz.png: Inventory sprite for Block of Quartz in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Block of Quartz with description: Block of Quartz
Pickaxe Can be used as a decorative block.
Quartz pillar
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Block of Quartz
Pickaxe Can be used as a decorative block.
Chiseled quartz block
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Quartz Slab
Invicon Quartz Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Quartz Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Quartz Slab with description: Quartz SlabInvicon Quartz Slab.png: Inventory sprite for Quartz Slab in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Quartz Slab with description: Quartz Slab
Invicon Chiseled Quartz Block.png: Inventory sprite for Chiseled Quartz Block in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Chiseled Quartz Block with description: Chiseled Quartz Block
Pickaxe Can be used as a decorative block.
Quartz slabs and stairs

Ingredients Crafting recipe
Block of Quartz
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Block of Quartz
Pickaxe Can be used as decorative blocks.

Changed

Name Image Changed
Beacon Increased effect radius from 16/24/32/40 blocks to 20/30/40/50 blocks.
Brewing stand, chest, detector rail and jukebox Now emit a redstone signal into an adjacent comparator. Signal strength depends on the fullness of the block.
Dispenser
  • Now equip armor to players that are up to 1 block away.
  • Can place and activate TNT.
  • Now use bone meal on a crop or sapling in front of them.
  • Can create fire in front of them with flint and steel, which consumes durability.
  • They can now face all 6 directions and use a different texture when facing up or down.
  • No longer fire while updated, instead they fire when their input becomes powered.
  • Now emits a redstone signal into an adjacent comparator. Signal strength depends on the fullness of the dispenser.
Lava
  • Flows faster in the Nether.
  • Updated texture.
Nether brick block Now has a crafting recipe of 4 Nether brick items.

Items

New

Name Image Obtaining Uses
Nether brick (item)
Ingredients Smelting recipe
Netherrack +
Any fuel
Invicon Netherrack.png: Inventory sprite for Netherrack in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Netherrack with description: Netherrack
Invicon Coal.png: Inventory sprite for Coal in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Coal with description: CoalInvicon Charcoal.png: Inventory sprite for Charcoal in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Charcoal with description: CharcoalInvicon Oak Log.png: Inventory sprite for Oak Log in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Oak Log with description: LogInvicon Oak Planks.png: Inventory sprite for Oak Planks in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Oak Planks with description: Overworld PlanksInvicon Lava Bucket.png: Inventory sprite for Lava Bucket in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Lava Bucket with description: Lava BucketInvicon Block of Coal.png: Inventory sprite for Block of Coal in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Block of Coal with description: Block of Coal

Invicon Nether Brick.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Brick in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Brick with description: Nether Brick
Can be used to make Nether brick blocks.
Nether quartz Is now dropped from Nether quartz ore.

Changed

Name Image Changed
Bone meal
  • Now picks a random stage of growth each time, as opposed to automatically pushing them to the final growth stage.
  • Saplings take 2–4 bone meal to sprout into a tree.
  • Gives off green particles when used.

Non-mob entities

New

Name Image Creation Drops Note
Minecart with hopper
Ingredients Crafting recipe
Hopper +
Minecart
Invicon Hopper.png: Inventory sprite for Hopper in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Hopper with description: HopperInvicon Minecart.png: Inventory sprite for Minecart in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Minecart with description: Minecart
Invicon Minecart with Hopper.png: Inventory sprite for Minecart with Hopper in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Minecart with Hopper with description: Minecart with Hopper
  • Can only be emptied by passing over a hopper.
  • Can pick up items from containers when it passes under them.
Minecart with TNT
Ingredients Crafting recipe
TNT +
Minecart
Invicon TNT.png: Inventory sprite for TNT in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to TNT with description: TNTInvicon Minecart.png: Inventory sprite for Minecart in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Minecart with description: Minecart
Invicon Minecart with TNT.png: Inventory sprite for Minecart with TNT in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Minecart with TNT with description: Minecart with TNT
  • Gets triggered by activator rails.
  • Explodes more violently the faster it goes.
  • Doesn't destroy rails, supporting blocks or redstone materials.
Minecart with spawner Can only be spawned in through commands. Functions the same as a spawner, but can move like a minecart.

Structures

Changed

Name Image Changed
Mineshaft Now generates loot in minecarts with chests, instead of chests.

Enchantments

Changed

Name Changed
Fortune Now affects apples and potatoes.
Efficiency Tools enchanted with Efficiency now only speed up the mining of blocks that the tool is intended for.

See also