Can Sticky Pistons Not Move Obsidian? Unveiling the Secrets of Minecraft Mechanics
The short answer is a resounding yes, generally. In most versions of Minecraft, sticky pistons cannot directly move obsidian. Obsidian’s high blast resistance and programming within the game render it immune to the pushing or pulling forces of regular pistons, including sticky pistons. This is a fundamental aspect of Minecraft’s block mechanics, preventing players from easily manipulating structures built with obsidian and maintaining the integrity of certain game features. However, there are nuances and version-specific behaviors to explore, so let’s delve deeper.
The Immovable Nature of Obsidian
Obsidian’s immovability by pistons is a deliberate design choice by Mojang. Here’s why:
- Preventing Exploits: Imagine being able to easily move obsidian blocks with pistons. Players could dismantle essential structures like Nether portals or create mobile obsidian shields, significantly altering gameplay balance.
- Maintaining World Stability: Obsidian often forms essential parts of world generation, such as the boundaries around the End dimension. Allowing pistons to move these blocks could lead to glitches and world corruption.
- Blast Resistance: Obsidian’s exceptional blast resistance makes it ideal for protecting against explosions. This characteristic reinforces its intended role as a sturdy, immovable building material.
The inability to move obsidian with standard pistons applies to both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition of Minecraft, although there are some key differences in how other blocks interact with slime blocks and sticky pistons between the two versions.
Lava Pistons and Experimental Mechanics
The information about “Lava Sticky Pistons” moving obsidian is inaccurate and potentially stemming from a mod or a misunderstanding of experimental mechanics in older Minecraft versions. There are no official “Lava Sticky Pistons” in the base game that possess special properties allowing them to move obsidian. However, it’s always possible that mods or custom implementations introduce such functionality. This is a good example of why its important to reference verified resources of information, such as the Minecraft Wiki.
Considerations for Block Movement in Bedrock vs. Java
While both versions generally prevent moving Obsidian, they differ on how other blocks interact with sticky pistons and slime blocks:
- Java Edition: Many blocks are immune to being pulled by slime blocks connected to sticky pistons, allowing for more controlled block manipulation in complex contraptions.
- Bedrock Edition: Fewer blocks are immovable by slime blocks, making it more challenging to design intricate piston mechanisms. In Bedrock, only Obsidian, Bedrock, and End Portal Frames are immovable in this way.
Workarounds and Edge Cases
While standard sticky pistons can’t move obsidian, creative players have discovered indirect workarounds or exploit version-specific bugs. It is crucial to understand these techniques often rely on unintended game behavior and might be patched in future updates. None, however, currently allow the direct manipulation of obsidian with a piston.
FAQs: All About Pistons and Immovable Blocks
Here are some frequently asked questions that expand on the topic of pistons and immovable blocks in Minecraft:
1. What other blocks can’t sticky pistons move?
Aside from obsidian, other blocks that are generally immovable by standard pistons include:
- Bedrock: An unbreakable block found in the lowest layers of the Overworld and the top and bottom of the Nether.
- Command Blocks: Blocks used for executing commands and controlling gameplay mechanics.
- End Portal Frames: Essential components of End portals.
- Reinforced Deepslate
- Nether Portals: These can only be broken, not moved.
2. Can slime blocks move obsidian?
No. Any block that a regular piston can’t move, a slime block won’t stick to. This rule keeps things consistent within the game mechanics. The following blocks cannot be moved by slime blocks:
- Obsidian
- Bedrock
- Note Block
- Chest
- Furnace
- Dispenser
- Monster Spawner
- Extended Piston
3. Why won’t my sticky piston pull a block?
There are several reasons why a sticky piston might fail to pull a block:
- No Direct Redstone Power: Ensure the piston receives direct redstone power from a wire, block, or component.
- Block is Immovable: The block might be on the list of immovable blocks.
- Block is Attached: The block may be attached to another immovable block.
- Too Many Blocks: The piston might be trying to pull more than one block.
4. Can a sticky piston pull two blocks?
A sticky piston can only pull one block directly. However, it can push up to twelve blocks in a row if properly configured. Keep in mind, this rule is a general rule and has exceptions.
5. Can crying obsidian be moved by a piston?
No. Similar to regular obsidian, crying obsidian is also immovable by pistons. Its properties align with regular obsidian in this regard.
6. What blocks are immovable in Bedrock Edition?
In Bedrock Edition, the blocks that are immovable by slime blocks connected to sticky pistons are:
- Obsidian
- Bedrock
- End Portal Frames
This is a more restricted list compared to Java Edition.
7. Why is my redstone not working with my sticky piston?
Common reasons include:
- Insufficient Power: Redstone signal strength might be too low.
- Incorrect Placement: Redstone components might be misplaced, not providing power directly to the piston.
- Redstone Dust Direction: Redstone dust needs to be pointing directly at the piston or powering a block adjacent to it.
8. Can a sticky piston move a slab?
A sticky piston will pull a top slab up, or a bottom slab down. It will retract but not move the slab. If you push a top slab up, it becomes a bottom slab.
9. Can a sticky piston move a redstone block?
Yes, a sticky piston can move a redstone block. This is often used in redstone circuits to create toggleable switches and other contraptions.
10. What tools can break obsidian?
Obsidian can only be mined and collected with a diamond pickaxe or a Netherite Pickaxe. Any other tool will break the block after a long time, but without dropping the obsidian.
11. What is the second strongest block in Minecraft?
While “strength” can be subjective, based on blast resistance and other factors, some contenders for the second strongest block are:
- Barrier Block: Invisible and indestructible in Survival mode.
- Bedrock: Virtually unbreakable.
- Command Blocks: Highly resistant.
- End Portal Frame: Very resistant.
- Reinforced Deepslate
12. Can sticky pistons move trapdoors?
Yes, sticky pistons can move trapdoors. They can be used to push or pull trapdoors to create hidden entrances and other mechanisms.
13. Why won’t my sticky piston push a slime block?
This can happen if the slime block is already attached to an immovable block or if the redstone powering the piston is not configured correctly. Double-check all connections and attached blocks.
14. Is there a way to make a sticky piston unsticky?
No, there is no legitimate way to turn a sticky piston into a regular piston.
15. What is “powered obsidian”?
“Powered obsidian” is an inaccurate term that likely refers to powered observers. There’s no game mechanic that provides a different attribute to obsidian itself based on it being powered with a Redstone signal.
Conclusion: Mastering Piston Mechanics
Understanding the limitations of sticky pistons and the properties of blocks like obsidian is essential for advanced Minecraft building and redstone engineering. While sticky pistons can’t directly move obsidian, the knowledge of these restrictions opens the door to ingenious workarounds and creative problem-solving within the game’s framework. By experimenting and learning the intricacies of Minecraft’s mechanics, you can unlock the full potential of pistons and create truly impressive contraptions. Exploring resources like the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ can provide further insights into the educational aspects of game mechanics and problem-solving.