Can I Light a Nether Portal with Crying Obsidian? An Expert’s Guide
The short answer is a resounding NO. You absolutely cannot light a Nether Portal with Crying Obsidian. While it shares a name and visual similarity with regular Obsidian, Crying Obsidian in Minecraft serves a different purpose altogether. It’s a decorative block and a key ingredient for crafting Respawn Anchors, but it’s entirely useless for creating the gateway to the Nether. Let’s dive deeper into why, and explore the fascinating world of Crying Obsidian.
Understanding the Basics: Obsidian vs. Crying Obsidian
To understand why Crying Obsidian can’t be used for Nether Portals, we need to clarify the differences between it and its regular counterpart.
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Obsidian: This is the classic, dark, and durable block essential for Nether Portals. It’s created when water flows onto lava, or vice versa. You need a diamond pickaxe (or netherite) to mine it, and it’s blast-resistant.
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Crying Obsidian: Introduced in the 1.16 Nether Update, Crying Obsidian is a darker variant that emits purple particles, resembling tears. You can only obtain this block by bartering with Piglins in the Nether, which involves giving them gold ingots and hoping they will drop it.
While they share the “obsidian” name and are aesthetically related, their functionality is drastically different. Think of them as cousins rather than twins. One builds portals, the other decorates and enables Nether respawning.
Why Crying Obsidian Doesn’t Work for Nether Portals
The game’s code and mechanics are very specific. The Nether Portal activation sequence is programmed to recognize only regular Obsidian. The game simply doesn’t recognize the crying version to activate this function.
Trying to build a Nether Portal frame with Crying Obsidian and then igniting it with flint and steel will result in nothing happening. The portal just won’t light up. It’s an exercise in futility that will only waste your Crying Obsidian.
The Correct Way to Light a Nether Portal
So, if Crying Obsidian is a no-go, how do you light a Nether Portal? Here’s the process:
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Gather Obsidian: Obtain at least 10 blocks of regular Obsidian. The easiest method is to pour water onto lava.
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Build the Frame: Construct a rectangular frame. The minimum size is 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall, but you can go larger, up to 23×23. The corners aren’t necessary.
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Ignite the Portal: Use a Flint and Steel to click on the inside of the Obsidian frame. This will activate the portal, filling it with the swirling purple texture that we all know.
Other Ways to Light a Nether Portal
While Flint and Steel is the standard method, there are alternative ways to ignite a Nether Portal:
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Fire Charges: These can be crafted from coal, gunpowder, and blaze powder. Right-clicking a fire charge on the inside of the Obsidian frame will light the portal.
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Lava and Wood: Setting a wooden block on fire near the Obsidian frame can sometimes ignite the portal, though this method is less reliable.
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Lightning: In rare circumstances, lightning strikes can ignite a Nether Portal. Good luck trying to make that happen.
What is Crying Obsidian Good For?
So, if Crying Obsidian can’t build Nether Portals, what’s its purpose? Its primary function is crafting Respawn Anchors.
A Respawn Anchor allows you to set a respawn point within the Nether. This is crucial because beds explode in the Nether, making them unusable as respawn points. To craft a Respawn Anchor, you’ll need six Crying Obsidian and three Glowstone.
The Respawn Anchor needs to be charged with Glowstone to function. Each Glowstone charge allows you to respawn in the Nether once. If you die without charging the Anchor, you will respawn at your Overworld spawn point.
Crying Obsidian is also a decorative block, adding a unique aesthetic to your builds with its dark color and “crying” particles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crying Obsidian
Here are some common questions about Crying Obsidian and its uses:
1. Can you use Crying Obsidian to make an Enchantment Table?
No, you cannot directly use Crying Obsidian to make an Enchantment Table. There has been an idea floating around for a more powerful version of the enchantment table that uses crying obsidian, allowing for enchantments to be more powerful, but would require more lapis and/or xp.
2. Is Crying Obsidian harder than regular Obsidian?
Currently, both Obsidian and Crying Obsidian have the same hardness rating. They both require a diamond or netherite pickaxe to mine efficiently.
3. Can you break Crying Obsidian with a wooden pickaxe?
No. Like regular Obsidian, Crying Obsidian can only be mined with a diamond or netherite pickaxe. Using any other pickaxe will take an extremely long time and won’t yield any blocks.
4. Can you use Crying Obsidian for an Ender Chest?
While there’s no official Crying Obsidian Ender Chest in the game, some players have suggested crafting one using eight Crying Obsidian and an Eye of Ender. This would just be a modded version of the game, but it is an interesting idea.
5. What’s the fastest way to get Crying Obsidian?
The fastest way is to barter with Piglins in the Nether. Bring plenty of gold ingots and trade with them. Keep in mind that the drop rate for Crying Obsidian is only 9%, so it might take several trades.
6. How long does it take to break Crying Obsidian with your fist?
It takes an incredibly long time to break Obsidian (or Crying Obsidian) by hand – approximately 250 seconds. And you won’t get any blocks from it.
7. How do you make Crying Obsidian Respawn?
You cannot make Crying Obsidian “respawn.” It’s a block you must obtain through trading. However, you can craft a Respawn Anchor using Crying Obsidian and Glowstone, which allows you to set a respawn point in the Nether.
8. Does Crying Obsidian attract mobs?
No, Crying Obsidian does not attract mobs. Mobs spawn based on other factors like light level and block type.
9. Is Crying Obsidian stronger than glass?
Yes, Obsidian (and therefore Crying Obsidian) is harder than window glass.
10. Does entering a Nether portal made of Crying Obsidian to the Overworld make it rain?
There is a rumor of this happening, but this is false. Crying Obsidian does not cause rain,
11. Does Crying Obsidian have any uses besides Respawn Anchors?
Aside from Respawn Anchors, Crying Obsidian is primarily used for decorative purposes. Its unique texture and “crying” effect make it a distinctive building block.
12. Is Crying Obsidian found naturally in the world?
No, Crying Obsidian cannot be found naturally. The only way to obtain it is through bartering with Piglins.
13. Can you dye nether portals?
This is not an available function on the current build of the game, however, it is a fun and interesting concept.
14. What happens if you light a nether portal in the end?
Nether portals can only be activated in the Overworld or the Nether; they cannot be activated in the End and customized dimensions.
15. Can I break Crying Obsidian with TNT?
Both obsidian and crying obsidian have a hardness of 50 which means that it can withstand the power of a TNT.
Conclusion
Crying Obsidian is a fascinating and useful block in Minecraft, but it simply cannot be used to create Nether Portals. Stick to regular Obsidian for your portal-building needs, and use Crying Obsidian for its decorative properties and its essential role in creating Respawn Anchors in the Nether. Happy mining!
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