Tutorial:Using TNT
TNT is an explosive block in Minecraft that can be crafted using sand and gunpowder. This article explains how to use it safely and effectively.
Ignition
[edit | edit source]There are multiple ways to ignite TNT. These include:
- Using a flint and steel or fire charge on it
- Redstone signal
- Shooting it with an arrow on fire, most easily by using a bow the Flame enchantment
- Using an item enchanted with Fire Aspect on it[Bedrock Edition only]
- Allowing it to be present in the radius of nearby explosions
After ignition
[edit | edit source]Primed TNT is affected by gravity and can be pushed by flowing fluids. Be especially cognizant of the former when placing down TNT. If in Survival mode, a player should run as far from the TNT as possible, as it may result in them being killed by their own explosion. A good practice would be to wear armor (preferably enchanted with Protection or Blast Protection); this is to reduce the damage and knockback from the explosion.
To reduce explosion damage, you can do the following:
- Place a block in front of your legs.
- Use a shield and point it at the explosion.
Uses
[edit | edit source]The uses of TNT include:
- clearing land
- destroying structures
- discovering ores (especially ancient debris as it cannot be destroyed by explosions)
- killing mobs or players
- traps
If TNT is lit with an arrow which is on fire, the player who shot the arrow will receive kill credit for any mobs killed, meaning that they will drop special drops (i.e, potatoes from a zombie). This can be used to get kill credit for a large number of entities all at once.
Traps
[edit | edit source]TNT can also be used for mob/player traps. These require some redstone skill. However, a simple one could be chaining a pressure plate to a block of TNT.
What not to do
[edit | edit source]Never play with TNT. It can result in massive destruction of the world and your structures. Mass-detonating TNT in particular can generate enormous amounts of lag, crashing your game.
In a massive multiplayer server, hide your TNT in a chest. Do not let others know about your TNT reserves.
Never accidentally detonate TNT by hitting it with a sword with Fire Aspect or a bow with Flame.
Do not use excessive amounts of TNT. Additional damage is minimal and it is a huge waste of resources.
Trivia
[edit | edit source]- When underwater, TNT does no damage to the terrain but still hurts mobs and players.
- However, in Minecraft Education, there exists a variant of TNT called underwater TNT that is able to destroy blocks underwater.
- The explosion of a minecart with TNT receives bonus power, scaled depending on its velocity at detonation, for a maximum bonus of 7.5.
- A creeper's explosion is 1.5× as powerful as TNT. For a charged creeper, it is 3x as powerful.
- TNT generates naturally in desert pyramids and woodland mansions.
