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Can Sticky Pistons Move Crying Obsidian? A Minecraft Expert’s Guide

The short answer is: no, sticky pistons cannot move crying obsidian. Neither regular pistons nor sticky pistons can push or pull crying obsidian in Minecraft. This immovable property makes it a unique block with specific uses in decoration and redstone contraptions, particularly for creating light sources that are immune to piston mechanics. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of crying obsidian, its properties, and how it interacts with pistons, as well as explore related questions to enhance your understanding of this intriguing block.

Understanding Crying Obsidian and Its Properties

Crying obsidian is a variant of obsidian that emits light and displays dripping “tears.” It shares the same blast resistance and hardness as regular obsidian, meaning it requires a diamond or netherite pickaxe to mine and is resistant to explosions. However, unlike regular obsidian, it cannot be used to create a Nether portal. The primary uses of crying obsidian are decorative lighting and as a component in crafting respawn anchors, which allow players to set their respawn point in the Nether.

The Immovable Nature of Crying Obsidian

The inability of pistons to move crying obsidian stems from its inherent properties as a “heavy” block, similar to obsidian, bedrock, command blocks, and end portal frames. These blocks are programmed in the game to be immovable by piston forces. This characteristic is vital for preventing exploits and maintaining the integrity of structures and mechanics within Minecraft.

Why Netherite and Ancient Debris CAN Be Moved (Despite Their Strength)

Interestingly, while netherite blocks and ancient debris are also extremely durable and require diamond or netherite tools to mine, they can be moved by pistons. This might seem counterintuitive, but it comes down to specific programming. The game designers intentionally made these blocks movable to allow for more complex contraptions and resource gathering systems, especially in the Nether. The cost associated with acquiring netherite and ancient debris balances the potential for automated mining or relocation.

Pistons and Block Movement: A Minecraft Mechanic Deep Dive

Pistons are fundamental redstone components used to push or pull blocks. There are two types: regular pistons, which only push, and sticky pistons, which both push and pull. However, there are limitations to which blocks pistons can interact with.

Blocks Pistons Cannot Move

Aside from crying obsidian, several other blocks are immune to piston movement:

Obsidian: The base variant of crying obsidian, also immovable.
Bedrock: Found at the very bottom and top of the world, indestructible and immovable.
Command Blocks: Used for advanced commands and coding within Minecraft.
End Portal Frames: Essential for accessing the End dimension.

The Role of Slime Blocks and Honey Blocks

Slime blocks and honey blocks offer an interesting twist. While they can be moved by pistons, they also “stick” to adjacent blocks, allowing them to drag along other blocks when pushed or pulled. However, even with slime or honey blocks, you cannot circumvent the immovable nature of crying obsidian. If a slime or honey block is connected to crying obsidian, the piston will retract without moving the crying obsidian.

Lava Pistons

The article incorrectly mentions the existence of a “lava piston.” Lava pistons do not exist in standard Minecraft. This is a misinterpretation or a reference to a modded version of the game. In vanilla Minecraft, there are only regular and sticky pistons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Crying Obsidian and Pistons

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and uses of crying obsidian in Minecraft:

Can I use crying obsidian to build a Nether portal? No, crying obsidian cannot be used to construct a Nether portal. Only regular obsidian can be used for this purpose.
How do I obtain crying obsidian? Crying obsidian is primarily obtained by bartering with Piglins in the Nether using gold ingots. They have a 9% chance to give you crying obsidian per gold ingot.
Is crying obsidian harder to break than regular obsidian? No, crying obsidian and regular obsidian have the same hardness and blast resistance. Both require a diamond or netherite pickaxe for efficient mining.
Can TNT destroy crying obsidian? No, crying obsidian is resistant to explosions, including TNT.
What is the light level emitted by crying obsidian? Crying obsidian emits a light level of 10, making it a useful decorative light source.
Can I use crying obsidian to grow crops? While crying obsidian emits light, its primary use isn’t crop farming. Other light sources, like torches or glowstone, are more efficient for that purpose.
Can sticky pistons move chests or furnaces? Yes, sticky pistons can move chests and furnaces, as long as they are not part of the immovable blocks mentioned earlier.
Can sticky pistons move ender chests? Yes, sticky pistons can push and pull ender chests.
What is the maximum number of blocks a sticky piston can pull? A sticky piston can effectively pull up to 12 blocks if they are connected via slime blocks or honey blocks, as part of a complex chain reaction. Otherwise, it only directly pulls the block it’s attached to.
Can crying obsidian be used in redstone circuits? Yes, but indirectly. Its primary use in redstone is as a static block that provides light or for decorative purposes, rather than as a movable component.
Can I craft crying obsidian? No, crying obsidian cannot be crafted. The only way to obtain it is through bartering with Piglins.
Are there any mods that allow pistons to move crying obsidian? Yes, there are mods that alter the game’s mechanics and allow pistons to move blocks that are normally immovable. However, these are not part of the vanilla Minecraft experience.
Why does crying obsidian have “tears”? The in-game lore suggests that the “tears” on crying obsidian represent regular obsidian that has been used too much for Nether travel, resulting in its unique appearance.
Can a sticky piston move a block into another block? No, Minecraft’s game engine will prevent the piston from pushing one block into the space occupied by another block. The piston will simply retract.
What are some creative uses for crying obsidian in builds? Crying obsidian can be used to create unique lighting effects, add texture to builds, or create the illusion of dripping water or tears. It’s especially useful for creating a Nether-themed build that requires a subtle, eerie glow.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the properties of different blocks and how they interact with pistons is crucial for mastering Minecraft mechanics. Crying obsidian, with its unique characteristics and immovable nature, offers both challenges and opportunities for creative builders and redstone engineers. Remember, experimentation is key in Minecraft! You can always test different scenarios and contraptions to further your understanding of the game. If you’re interested in the educational aspects of gaming and how games can be used for learning, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Their research explores how games can enhance cognitive skills and promote educational outcomes.

Can sticky pistons move crying obsidian?