Obsidian

For the crying variant, see Crying Obsidian. For other uses, see Obsidian (disambiguation).
Obsidian
Obsidian.png: Infobox image for Obsidian the block in Minecraft
Invicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: Obsidian
Renewable

Yes

Stackable

Yes (64)

Tool

Blast resistance

1,200

Hardness

50

Luminous

No

Transparent

No

Flammable

No

Catches fire
from lava

No

Map color (JE)


 29 COLOR_BLACK

Obsidian is a block found naturally in all dimensions, and created when water flows over a lava source. It has high hardness and blast resistance, making it immune to normal explosions. Obsidian can be used to craft beacons, enchanting tables, and ender chests, and build the frame of a Nether portal.

Obtaining

Breaking

Obsidian drops itself only when mined with a diamond or netherite pickaxe; otherwise, it drops nothing.

Block
Hardness 50
Tool
Breaking time (sec)[A]
Default 250
BlockSprite oak-planks.png: Sprite image for oak-planks in MinecraftWooden 125
BlockSprite cobblestone.png: Sprite image for cobblestone in MinecraftStone 62.5
ItemSprite copper-ingot.png: Sprite image for copper-ingot in MinecraftCopper
50
ItemSprite iron-ingot.png: Sprite image for iron-ingot in MinecraftIron 41.7
ItemSprite diamond.png: Sprite image for diamond in MinecraftDiamond 9.4
ItemSprite netherite-ingot.png: Sprite image for netherite-ingot in MinecraftNetherite 8.35
ItemSprite gold-ingot.png: Sprite image for gold-ingot in MinecraftGolden 20.85
Legend
  • incorrect tool, drops nothing
  • correct tool, drops nothing or something other than the block itself
  • correct tool, drops the block itself
  • italicized can be instant mined
  1. These durations ignore other influential factors (e.g. Mining Fatigue), and are measured in seconds. For more information, see Breaking § Speed.

Enchanting a pickaxe with Efficiency and using a beacon with Haste both drastically decrease the mining time. See the obsidian farming tutorial for more information.

8 obsidian blocks are dropped by an ender chest when broken without a tool enchanted with Silk Touch.

Natural generation

Naturally occurring obsidian.
Water pouring onto lava springs, forming obsidian.

Obsidian generates naturally in all dimensions:

Generated loot

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition and Bedrock Edition
Bastion Remnant Generic chest 4–6 24.4%
Nether Fortress Chest 2–4 8%
Ruined Portal Chest 1–2 46.4%
Village Weaponsmith's chest 3–7 25.6%

Bartering

Piglins may barter a block of obsidian when given a gold ingot with a chance of 8.71%.

Post-generation

Using a water spring to mine obsidian.

Obsidian is formed when flowing water touches a lava source block, and it can be found naturally where water from a spring or aquifer has flowed over a nearby lava pool. This provides a renewable way of obtaining obsidian, as lava can be farmed via cauldrons under pointed dripstone.

Obsidian is created when a Nether portal is generated in the Nether or the Overworld. This portal can then be mined, providing another way of obtaining obsidian renewably. In Java Edition, if a Nether portal is generated midair, 4 extra obsidian is generated at the bottom of the portal.

When an entity enters the End via an End portal, it always spawns on a platform consisting of 25 obsidian. This platform can then be mined, and regenerates whenever an entity enters the End, providing another way of obtaining obsidian renewably. Obsidian pillars also regenerate when the ender dragon respawns.

Usage

Obsidian is useful for building explosion-resistant structures as it has a blast resistance of 1,200, the highest of all blocks obtainable in Survival mode (tied with crying obsidian, anvils, and netherite blocks). Obsidian also cannot be destroyed by the ender dragon. These qualities make obsidian an extremely effective defensive block, and it is commonly used in many bases in multiplayer servers as protection from griefers.

Obsidian is, however, not immune to the wither. Although black wither skulls have merely the explosive power of a ghast fireball, blue wither skulls ignore blast resistance, which means they can destroy obsidian. The wither's body can also destroy obsidian, either through block-breaking behavior upon taking damage, or its dash attack‌. The wither is the only mob in the game that can break obsidian.

Obsidian is one of the two blocks an End crystal can be placed on; the other is bedrock.

Nether portals

Obsidian is used to create a Nether portal frame, which is then ignited using fire. The frame must be a vertical rectangle any size from 4×5 to 23×23. The corners of the frame are not required for an operational portal.

Crafting ingredient

Name Ingredients Crafting recipe
Beacon Glass +
Nether Star +
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 Glass.png: Inventory sprite for Glass in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Glass with description: GlassInvicon Nether Star.png: Inventory sprite for Nether Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Nether Star with description:Invicon Glass.png: Inventory sprite for Glass in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Glass with description: GlassInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: Obsidian
Invicon Beacon.png: Inventory sprite for Beacon in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Beacon with description:
Enchanting Table Book +
Diamond +
Invicon Book.png: Inventory sprite for Book in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Book with description: BookInvicon Diamond.png: Inventory sprite for Diamond in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Diamond with description: DiamondInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Diamond.png: Inventory sprite for Diamond in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Diamond with description: DiamondInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: Obsidian
Invicon Enchanting Table.png: Inventory sprite for Enchanting Table in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Enchanting Table with description: Enchanting Table
Ender Chest  +
Eye of Ender
Invicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Eye of Ender.png: Inventory sprite for Eye of Ender in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Eye of Ender with description: Eye of EnderInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: ObsidianInvicon Obsidian.png: Inventory sprite for Obsidian in Minecraft as shown in-game with description: Obsidian
Invicon Ender Chest.png: Inventory sprite for Ender Chest in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Ender Chest with description: Ender Chest

Note Blocks

Obsidian can be placed under note blocks to produce "bass drum" sounds.

Piston interactivity

Obsidian cannot be pushed by pistons. It also cannot be pushed nor pulled by sticky pistons.

Sounds

Java Edition:

BlockSprite stone.png: Sprite image for stone in Minecraft stone sound type
SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
​Block brokenBlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.stone.breaksubtitles.block.generic.break1.00.816
​Block placedBlocksWhen the block is placedblock.stone.placesubtitles.block.generic.place1.00.816
​Block breakingBlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenblock.stone.hitsubtitles.block.generic.hit0.250.516
​Something falls on a blockEntity-DependentFalling on the block with fall damageblock.stone.fallsubtitles.block.generic.fall0.50.7516
​FootstepsEntity-DependentWalking on the blockblock.stone.stepsubtitles.block.generic.footsteps0.151.016

Bedrock Edition:

BlockSprite stone.png: Sprite image for stone in Minecraft stone sound type
SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokendig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placeddig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.stone0.370.5
PlayersFalling on the block with fall damagefall.stone0.41.0
PlayersWalking on the blockstep.stone0.31.0
BlocksJumping from the blockjump.stone0.121.0
BlocksFalling on the block without fall damageland.stone0.221.0

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormBlock tagsTranslation key
BlockSprite obsidian.png: Sprite image for obsidian in Minecraft ObsidianobsidianBlock & Itemdragon_immune
mineable/pickaxe
needs_diamond_tool
block.minecraft.obsidian

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
BlockSprite obsidian.png: Sprite image for obsidian in Minecraft Obsidianobsidian49Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]tile.obsidian.name
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. Available with /give command.
  3. The block's direct item form has the same ID as the block.

Achievements

IconAchievementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)Gamerscore earnedTrophy type (PS)
PS4Other
EnchanterConstruct an Enchantment Table.Pick up an enchantment table from a crafting table output.20Bronze
Into The NetherConstruct a Nether Portal.Light a nether portal.30Bronze

Advancements

IconAdvancementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)
EnchanterEnchant an item at an Enchanting TableInsert an item in an enchanting table, then apply an enchantment.
Ice Bucket ChallengeObtain a block of ObsidianHave a block of in the inventory.
We Need to Go DeeperBuild, light and enter a Nether PortalEnter the Nether dimension.

Video

History

Java Edition Classic
0.28 Added obsidian.
Obsidian is extremely tough to break and drops one cobblestone block when broken.
Java Edition Infdev
20100227-1414Added the obsidian wall, which marks the X and Z axis, intersecting at 0,0. This creates two intersecting planes extending just above the surface of the solid material that surrounds them.
20100313The obsidian wall has been removed.
20100617-1531Obsidian is now created when water touches a lava source.
20100618Obsidian now drops itself when broken.
Obsidian's explosion resistance increased. Before this, obsidian had the same blast resistance as stone.
Java Edition Alpha
v1.0.14Obsidian made indestructible to TNT.
v1.2.0previewIntroduced the Nether portal, made using obsidian, which also makes obsidian renewable.
However, since diamond pickaxes are not yet renewable, obsidian cannot be fully renewably obtained.
Java Edition Beta
1.8Pre-releaseObsidian can be moved by endermen.
Java Edition
1.0.0Beta 1.9 PrereleaseObsidian can no longer be moved by endermen.
Beta 1.9 Prerelease 3The enchantment table has been introduced, which is crafted using obsidian.
Beta 1.9 Prerelease 4Introduced the End, with obsidian platform and obsidian pillars.
Beta 1.9 Prerelease 6Obsidian mining time has been decreased from 15 to 2.5 seconds.
RC1Obsidian mining time has been increased from 2.5 to 9.4 seconds.
1.112w01aObsidian can now be found in village blacksmith chests.
1.3.112w21aThe ender chest has been introduced, which is crafted using obsidian.
As diamond pickaxes can now be purchased from blacksmith villagers, obsidian is now renewable.
1.4.212w36aThe beacon block has now received a crafting recipe, which uses obsidian.
12w38aThe wither's blue wither skull projectile has been introduced, which produces a special explosion that can destroy obsidian.
1.7.213w36aObsidian can now be destroyed with explosives by summoning a fireball with custom data.
1.814w25aAn infinite obsidian glitch (MC-4239, allowing conversion of redstone into obsidian) has been fixed during the implementation of the new block metadata format.
14w30aObsidian can now be found inside chests in Nether fortresses.
1.915w31aObsidian now generates as part of the End cities.
15w43aThe obsidian yield from Nether fortress chests has been slightly decreased.
1.1116w39aObsidian now generates in woodland mansions.
July 18, 2017 Jeb tweets an image of an updated obsidian texture.
July 19, 2017 Jeb tweets an image of an updated obsidian texture.
July 11, 2018 Jasper Boerstra tweets an image of an updated obsidian texture.
? This texture of obsidian was shown at some point (not in game).
1.1318w09aObsidian now generates in some underwater ruins.
1.1418w43a The texture of obsidian has been changed.
18w44a The texture of obsidian has been changed, once again.
1.1620w07aObsidian has a 1109 (~0.92%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
20w09aObsidian now has a 10113 (~8.85%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1–5.
20w10aObsidian now has a 40411 (~9.73%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
20w11aObsidian now has a 40417 (~9.59%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
20w13aObsidian now has a 40424 (~9.43%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
20w16aObsidian now generates in bastion remnants chests.
Obsidian can now spawn as part of ruined portals or be found in its chests.
20w20aObsidian now has a 40423 (~9.46%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
1.16.220w28aObsidian now has a 40459 (~8.71%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
20w30aThe chance of finding obsidian in bastion remnant chests has been decreased from 31.5% to 24.4%.
Pocket Edition Alpha
Pre-release Added obsidian.
v0.2.0In Survival mode, obsidian drops itself when mined with any pickaxe.
v0.3.0Obsidian now only drops itself when mined with a diamond pickaxe. This makes obsidian's item form unobtainable as diamond pickaxes are not legitimately obtainable in this version.
v0.3.2Diamond pickaxes are now legitimately obtainable, making the obsidian item obtainable once again.
v0.5.0Glowing obsidian has been added, which drops a block of regular obsidian when mined.
The newly added Nether reactor structure generates a "spire" of obsidian when activated.
v0.6.0The "spires" generated by Nether reactors are now made of netherrack, instead of obsidian.
v0.9.0build 1Obsidian can now be found in villages within blacksmith chests.
v0.12.1build 1Obsidian can now be used to form Nether portals.
Obsidian is now used to craft enchantment tables.
v0.13.0build 2Obsidian now requires 6.5 seconds to mine, rather than 3.
v0.16.0build 4Obsidian is now used to craft beacons.
The wither's "blue wither skull" projectile has been introduced, which produces a special explosion that can destroy obsidian.
Pocket Edition
1.0.0alpha 0.17.0.1Obsidian is now used to craft ender chests and End crystals.
Obsidian now generates naturally in the End as obsidian platforms, obsidian pillars and some parts of End ships in End cities.
1.1.0alpha 1.1.0.0Obsidian now generates in woodland mansions.
Bedrock Edition
1.4.0beta 1.2.20.1Obsidian now generates in some underwater ruins.
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3 The texture of obsidian has been changed.
Obsidian can now be found in village weaponsmith chests.
1.16.0beta 1.16.0.51Obsidian can now be obtained from bartering.
?Obsidian breaking time is now 9.6 seconds instead of 6.2 seconds.
beta 1.16.0.57Obsidian now has a 10106 (9.43%) chance of being offered by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 1.
Obsidian now be found in bastion remnants chests.
Obsidian can now generate as part of ruined portals and can be found in its chests.
Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360Xbox OnePS3PS4PS VitaWii USwitch
TU1CU11.001.001.00Patch 11.0.1 Added obsidian.
TU7The enchantment table has been introduced, which is crafted using obsidian.
TU9Introduced the End, with obsidian platform and obsidian pillars.
TU141.04The ender chest has been introduced, which is crafted using obsidian.
TU19CU71.121.121.12Obsidian can now be used to craft beacons.
TU31CU191.221.221.22Patch 3Obsidian can now be found inside chests in Nether fortresses.
TU46CU361.381.381.38Patch 15Obsidian now generates as part of the End cities.
TU54CU441.521.521.52Patch 241.0.4Obsidian now generates in woodland mansions.
TU69 1.761.761.76Patch 38 Obsidian now generates in some underwater ruins.
1.90 The texture of obsidian has been changed.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0 Added obsidian.

Data history

Java Edition
1.814w06aObsidian now uses the newly-implemented model json file models/block/cube.json; previously the geometry was defined in the game code itself.
1.1317w47aPrior to The Flattening, this block's numeral ID was 49.

Issues

Issues relating to "Obsidian" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

  • Obsidian is one of the hardest blocks to destroy in Minecraft. In reality, obsidian has characteristics similar to glass, being a brittle material.
  • Geologically, obsidian is a volcanic glass that forms when lava is flash-cooled. It is the only igneous rock that's glassy.
  • 71.25 times the explosive power of TNT would be required to destroy a block of obsidian; however, additional TNT increases the blast radius, not explosive power. It is possible to /summon an explosion strong enough to destroy obsidian.
  • While working on the Texture Update, Jasper Boerstra expressed great difficulty over redesigning obsidian.[1]

Gallery

Screenshots

In other media

See also

References

External links

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