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Can You Break Crying Obsidian with an Iron Pickaxe? The Definitive Guide

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The short answer is a resounding no. You cannot effectively break crying obsidian with an iron pickaxe in Minecraft. While you can swing away at the block, and technically break it eventually, you won’t get anything out of it and you’ll waste a considerable amount of time. Crying obsidian requires either a diamond or netherite pickaxe for a successful harvest. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating block and address common questions surrounding its properties and acquisition.

Understanding Crying Obsidian

What is Crying Obsidian?

Crying obsidian is a unique block introduced in the 1.16 Nether Update. Its distinguishing feature is the constant dripping of purple particles, resembling tears, hence the name. It emits a light level of 10, making it a useful, albeit somewhat eerie, light source. It is primarily used in crafting respawn anchors, allowing players to set a respawn point within the Nether.

Why Can’t I Break It with an Iron Pickaxe?

Minecraft has a hierarchical system for tool tiers. An iron pickaxe, while capable of mining a large variety of ores and blocks like gold, redstone, and diamond ore, simply isn’t strong enough to effectively break blocks such as obsidian and crying obsidian and allow you to harvest them. You can break the block after prolonged effort, the game is programmed to prevent it from dropping the block item unless mined with diamond or netherite. The same principle applies to regular obsidian. Think of it as needing a specific key to unlock a chest; the iron pickaxe simply isn’t the right key for crying obsidian.

Harvesting Crying Obsidian

The Right Tools for the Job

As stated earlier, you’ll need either a diamond pickaxe or a netherite pickaxe to successfully harvest crying obsidian.

Diamond Pickaxe: This is the more accessible of the two options. Diamond is relatively common, and crafting a diamond pickaxe is a straightforward process. It will still take a noticeable amount of time to mine the block, though.
Netherite Pickaxe: This is the superior choice. Netherite tools are stronger and more durable than their diamond counterparts. However, obtaining netherite is a more involved process, requiring venturing into the dangerous depths of the Nether and crafting netherite ingots from ancient debris.

Where to Find Crying Obsidian

Crying obsidian isn’t a naturally generating block in the overworld. There are three primary ways to obtain it:

Bartering with Piglins: This is arguably the most consistent method. Piglins, found in the Nether, are attracted to gold. By tossing them gold ingots, they will randomly give you items in return, including crying obsidian (with about a 9% chance). This is a gamble, of course, but it is renewable as long as you have a source of gold.
Ruined Portals: You can sometimes find Crying Obsidian in chests in the Ruined Portals, but this isn’t guaranteed
Bastion Remnants: You can sometimes find Crying Obsidian in chests within the Bastion Remnants, another structure found in the Nether.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crying Obsidian

Here are some frequently asked questions about crying obsidian to further your understanding of this intriguing block:

How long does it take to break crying obsidian with a diamond/netherite pickaxe? The exact time depends on whether the tool is enchanted. Using an unenchanted diamond pickaxe, it takes 9.4 seconds. Using an unenchanted Netherite pickaxe, it takes 8.3 seconds.
Is crying obsidian easier to break than obsidian? No. Crying obsidian and regular obsidian have the same blast resistance (1200) and require the same tools to mine effectively. Their hardness is identical.
Can crying obsidian be used to make a Nether portal? No. Crying obsidian cannot be used to create the frame of a Nether portal. Only regular obsidian can be used for this purpose. Crying obsidian is for decoration or crafting respawn anchors.
Can the Ender Dragon destroy crying obsidian? No. The Ender Dragon cannot destroy crying obsidian or obsidian. Both blocks have high blast resistance.
Can you make an Ender chest with crying obsidian? No, in vanilla Minecraft, you cannot craft an Ender chest using crying obsidian. There may be mods or data packs that allow this, but in the base game, this is not a feature. Some people have made mods that allow to craft a crying ender chest crafted with eight Crying Obsidian in a ring with a Eye of Ender in the middle.
Does crying obsidian attract mobs? No. Neither obsidian nor crying obsidian attract mobs. Mobs are generally drawn to light levels and specific block types (like crops for some farm animals), but obsidian doesn’t influence their behavior.
Can you use crying obsidian to make an enchantment table? No. You cannot use crying obsidian to create a vanilla enchantment table. However, some have suggested using crying obsidian instead of obsidian in a crafting recipe.
What can I do with crying obsidian? The primary use for crying obsidian is crafting respawn anchors. These devices allow you to set a respawn point within the Nether, preventing you from being sent back to the Overworld upon death. They can also be used for decorative purposes due to their unique appearance and light-emitting properties.
How do you craft a respawn anchor? A respawn anchor requires 6 crying obsidian blocks and 3 glowstone blocks. Place three crying obsidian blocks in the top row of the crafting table, three glowstone blocks in the middle row, and the remaining three crying obsidian blocks in the bottom row.
Does water affect the Ender Dragon? The Ender Dragon is immune to water damage and will destroy any water source blocks it comes into contact with. So, using water as a weapon against it is ineffective.
What pickaxe can break obsidian? Only a diamond pickaxe or a netherite pickaxe can efficiently break obsidian. While other pickaxes may eventually break the block, they will not yield the obsidian block itself.
Can you break things with mining fatigue? Yes, but it becomes incredibly slow. Mining fatigue drastically reduces your mining speed, making it difficult and time-consuming to break even simple blocks. The higher the level of mining fatigue, the slower you mine.
What does a respawn anchor do and how does it work? A respawn anchor allows you to set a respawn point in the Nether. To charge it, you need to use glowstone. Each glowstone charge allows for one respawn. You can charge a respawn anchor up to four times. Attempting to use a respawn anchor in the Overworld or End will cause it to explode.
How much obsidian do I need for a Nether portal? You need a minimum of 10 obsidian blocks to create a functional Nether portal frame. However, using 14 blocks makes building the portal frame easier and allows for a fully enclosed rectangular shape.
How is Minecraft useful for education? Minecraft, and games in general, can be amazing tools for educational purposes. They are useful in STEM education and also for teaching soft skills. To learn more about this topic, visit the website of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

In Conclusion

While an iron pickaxe is a valuable tool in Minecraft, it simply lacks the power to efficiently harvest crying obsidian. A diamond or netherite pickaxe is essential for obtaining this valuable block. Remember, crying obsidian is primarily acquired through bartering with piglins and is a key component in crafting respawn anchors, enabling safe exploration and survival within the Nether. So, gear up with the right tools and venture forth to gather this unique resource!