Okay, let's talk obsidian in Minecraft. You've probably seen those super tough, jet-black blocks guarding End portals or littering ravines. You need them. Badly. Maybe it's for that first Nether portal, maybe for an Enchanting Table, or perhaps you're building a fortress even creepers fear. Whatever the reason, the big question is always: how do you mine obsidian on Minecraft without wasting hours or losing your mind? I messed this up SO many times starting out. Like, staring at unbroken obsidian with a ruined iron pickaxe kind of mess-ups. Let's fix that for you.
Obsidian 101: Why This Block Matters So Much
Obsidian isn't your everyday dirt block. It's formed when water source blocks meet lava source blocks. That's key. Not flowing lava – source lava. This volcanic glass is the toughest blast-resistant block you can get early on (Resistance 1200, for the nerds). You absolutely need it for:
- Building Nether Portals: Yeah, the gateway to hellfire and ghasts requires at least 10 obsidian blocks (minimum portal size is 4x5, corners are optional). Can't skip this.
- Crafting an Enchanting Table: Want those sweet sword enchantments? You need a book, diamonds, and... you guessed it, obsidian. 4 blocks, to be precise.
- Building a Beacon Base: For full power, the Beacon pyramid needs obsidian layers. Expensive but worth it.
- Blast-Proofing: Creepers? Ghast fireballs? TNT? Obsidian laughs at them. Essential for protecting your precious stuff.
So, it's vital. But mining it? That's the tricky part. You can't just whack it with any old tool.
Remember that time I found a huge lava pool on day 3? I was buzzing! Dumped my water bucket... created tons of beautiful obsidian. Pulled out my trusty stone pickaxe... and clicked... and clicked... and nothing. Zero drops. Just wasted time and durability. Learned the hard way: you need diamond or netherite.
The Absolute Rule: You MUST Have the Right Pickaxe
This is non-negotiable. Obsidian has a hardness level that laughs at lesser tools.
| Pickaxe Material | Can Mine Obsidian? | Breaking Time (Approx. Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden/Golden/Stone | NO (Waste of time!) | Never (Block won't break, tool breaks) |
| Iron | NO (Still nope!) | Never (Block won't break, tool breaks) |
| Diamond | YES | 9.4 seconds (Feels like forever) |
| Netherite | YES | 8.35 seconds (Slightly less forever) |
Why This Matters So Much
Using wood, stone, gold, or iron on obsidian is like trying to cut a diamond with butter. It literally will not drop the obsidian block. Your pickaxe will just lose durability and eventually break. Total waste. I see new players do this constantly. Don't be that player! Diamond pickaxe is mandatory. End of story. If you haven't found diamonds yet, focus on that first.
Actually Mining Obsidian: Step-by-Step (Don't Die!)
Alright, you've got your diamond (or netherite) pickaxe. Now what? How do you mine obsidian on Minecraft safely? Found obsidian naturally? Great! But you'll likely need to make your own. Here's the full scoop:
Option 1: Mining Natural Obsidian (The Easier Way)
- Where to Look: Deep underground near lava lakes (Y-levels -54 to -58 are lava lake hotspots since the Caves & Cliffs update). Also check chests in End Cities for bonus loot!
- Safety First: Water is your best friend. Place it around the obsidian pool to turn nearby lava into cobblestone/stone, creating safe paths. Watch for hidden lava under blocks! Falling into lava holding your diamond pickaxe? Nightmare fuel.
- The Mining Process:
- Equip your diamond/netherite pickaxe.
- Aim at the obsidian block.
- Hold down the attack/mine button (left-click on PC/Java, trigger on console, tap & hold on mobile).
- Be patient. It takes roughly 9.4 seconds per block with a basic diamond pick. Feels glacial. Enchantments help massively (see below).
- Collect the dropped obsidian block. It pops right into your inventory.
Pro Tip: Light up the area! Mining in the dark is just asking for a creeper to ruin your day and your obsidian cache.
Option 2: Creating & Mining Your Own Obsidian (The Flexible Way)
This is often faster than searching ravines. You control the location and size!
- Find Lava Source Blocks: You need *still* lava, not flowing. Big underground lakes are perfect.
- Secure the Area: Build walls or platforms to prevent mobs or yourself from falling in. Seriously, falling in lava sucks. Bring multiple water buckets.
- Place Water Strategically:
- For a pool: Pour water directly onto the lava source block. Water + Lava Source = Obsidian.
- For pillars: Place lava source blocks first (using buckets) where you want them, then pour water on top or beside them. Easier than mining natural pillars.
- Mine Your Fresh Obsidian: Same as natural obsidian – diamond/netherite pick, hold mine, be patient.
Personal gripe: Water flow mechanics can be finicky sometimes. Trying to make a clean obsidian platform and accidentally turning half the lava into cobblestone instead? Yeah, done that. Takes practice to place the water *just* right.
Mass Production Trick (The "Rectangle Method")
Need tons of obsidian fast? Here's how I farm for big projects:
- Dig a 2-block deep rectangular pit (e.g., 4x6).
- Fill the bottom completely with lava SOURCE blocks.
- Pour a water source block at one edge of the pit. It will flow across the entire surface.
- Boom! Instant obsidian platform. Mine away. Easy to repeat.
This is way faster than placing individual lava sources. Just ensure the pit is shallow enough for water to cover it all in one flow.
Speed Up Your Obsidian Mining Dramatically: Efficiency & Enchantments
9.4 seconds per block is painful. Especially when you need 14 for a portal. Here's how to cut that time down:
| Enchantment | Effect on Mining Speed | Approx. Break Time (Diamond Pick) | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Enchantment (Base) | 1x Speed | 9.4 seconds | N/A |
| Efficiency I | 1.3x Speed | ~7.2 seconds | Enchanting Table (Low Level) |
| Efficiency II | 1.6x Speed | ~5.9 seconds | Enchanting Table (Mid Level) |
| Efficiency III | 2.0x Speed | ~4.7 seconds | Enchanting Table (High Level) |
| Efficiency IV | 2.5x Speed | ~3.8 seconds | Enchanting Table (Max Bookshelves) or Villager Trading |
| Efficiency V | 3.0x Speed | ~3.1 seconds | Combining Books or Villager Trading (Master Level) |
| Efficiency V + Haste II Beacon | Insanely Fast! | ~0.9 seconds | Late-Game Beacon Power |
See that? Efficiency V cuts the time down to a much more bearable 3 seconds! Haste II from a beacon makes it feel like mining stone. Game changer. Worth grinding for if you build with obsidian a lot.
Conduit Power underwater? Doesn't help with mining speed on land, sadly. Stick to Efficiency and Beacons.
BE CAREFUL: Silk Touch vs. Fortune
This trips people up:
- Silk Touch: Mines the obsidian block itself. This is what you want. You get one obsidian block per block mined. Essential for collecting portal frames or intact blocks for building.
- Fortune: DOES NOTHING ON OBSIDIAN. Seriously. Zero benefit. Obsidian always drops one block, period. Putting Fortune on your obsidian pickaxe is a complete waste of an enchantment slot. Learned *that* the hard way too. Stick to Silk Touch if you have a choice, but it's not required unless you specifically need the block itself untouched (like for moving a portal frame). A regular unenchanted diamond pick works fine for getting obsidian drops.
Finding Obsidian Sources: Natural vs. Self-Made Efficiency
Where's the best place to get it? Depends on your needs and gear.
| Source | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Ravines/Caves (Lava Lakes) | No resource cost (just mining), Can find chests nearby | Can be dangerous (mobs, lava), Often limited quantity, Might be inconveniently located |
| Ruined Portals | Free obsidian! (~10-25 blocks usually), Frame is partially built | Quantity varies, May require clearing dangerous areas/mobs guarding it |
| The End (End Cities) | Obsidian pillars (lots!), End City chests sometimes contain obsidian | Hard to access (need Eyes of Ender, defeat Dragon), Extremely dangerous environment |
| Crafting Your Own (Water + Lava) | Unlimited supply (if you have lava), Safe location (you choose!), Faster setup than deep exploration | Requires buckets (iron), Requires finding significant lava source pools |
Honestly? For your first portal, a ruined portal is gold. Saves so much hassle. For large-scale builds, farming your own obsidian near your base using the rectangle method is king. Deep cave mining is risky unless you're geared up.
Fixing Common Obsidian Mining Headaches (Troubleshooting)
Things go wrong. Here's how to deal with it:
- "I mined it but got nothing!" You used the wrong pickaxe. Guaranteed. Check the tool table above. Diamond or Netherite only.
- "Water just makes cobblestone, not obsidian!" You used flowing lava instead of a lava source block. Find a pool of still lava, not a lava fall. Pouring water on flowing lava makes cobble/stone.
- "Mining takes forever!" Get Efficiency enchantments. See the speed table. Efficiency V is a dream. Also, make sure you're holding down the mine button solidly.
- "I fell in the lava with my good pickaxe!" Ouch. We've all cried over lost gear. Water buckets are crucial for safety. Place water near lava edges to create safe zones. Fire Resistance potions are late-game lifesavers. Build walls!
- "Ghasts keep blowing up my obsidian!" Yep, Nether hazard. Build a roof over your portal in the Nether, or enclose it completely with cobblestone (ghasts can't blow that up). Mining obsidian near lava in the Overworld is safer.
- "Can I move Obsidian with Pistons?" Nope. Pistons, sticky or regular, won't budge obsidian. End Crystals and the Ender Dragon can break it, but that's not helpful. You have to mine it the old-fashioned way.
Advanced Obsidian Tactics & Weird Uses
Once you've mastered how do you mine obsidian on Minecraft, here's some niche stuff:
- Respawn Anchor (Nether): Requires crying obsidian (found in ruined portals) and glowstone. Lets you set your spawn point in the Nether. Essential for long expeditions.
- Ender Chests: Crafted with obsidian and an Eye of Ender. Super useful – contents are unique to you, no matter which chest you access. Great for secure item storage.
- Enchanting Table Base: Looks cool! Place bookshelves around it properly for max enchanting levels (15 bookshelves, 1 block air gap).
- Beehive Blast Shields: Obsidian protects your precious bees from accidental explosions. Apiary security!
- Wither Cages: Trapping and fighting the Wither? Obsidian is one of the few blocks that can withstand its initial explosion blast. Build the spawning chamber out of it.
Is obsidian pretty? Debatable. It's very... black. Smooth basalt or deepslate tiles sometimes look nicer for builds, but nothing beats obsidian for pure, unbreakable utility.
Obsidian Mining FAQs (Your Questions, Answered)
Q: Can you mine obsidian with an iron pickaxe in Minecraft?
A: Absolutely not. Iron pickaxes, stone, wood, or gold pickaxes simply cannot break obsidian. You will get zero drops, and your pickaxe will just break faster. It's wasted effort. Diamond or Netherite pickaxes are mandatory. This is the number one mistake new players make when figuring out how do you mine obsidian on Minecraft.
Q: How long does it take to mine one obsidian block?
A: With a basic, unenchanted diamond pickaxe, it takes about 9.4 seconds of continuous mining per block. With a basic Netherite pickaxe, it's slightly faster at about 8.35 seconds. This time reduces significantly with Efficiency enchantments. See the speed table above for exact times!
Q: Does Fortune work on obsidian?
A: No, Fortune does absolutely nothing for obsidian mining. Obsidian always drops exactly one block when mined correctly (with diamond or netherite), regardless of Fortune level. Using Fortune is a waste of an enchantment on your obsidian pickaxe. Silk Touch will give you the block itself, which is useful for preserving portal frames, but doesn't increase yield.
Q: What's the best way to get obsidian fast early game?
A: Find a Ruined Portal! These structures spawn with 10-25 obsidian blocks already part of their frame. It's the quickest way to get enough for your first Nether portal without needing massive diamond mining expeditions or huge lava pools. Just be prepared to fight any zombies or other mobs guarding it. Once you have diamonds, creating your own near a lava pool is efficient.
Q: Can Endermen pick up obsidian?
A: No, thankfully not. Endermen can only pick up certain blocks like grass blocks, dirt, sand, gravel, etc. Obsidian is way too heavy and tough for them to move. Your carefully mined obsidian stash is safe from their teleporting fingers.
Q: Do I need Silk Touch to mine obsidian?
A: No, Silk Touch is not required. A regular unenchanted diamond or netherite pickaxe will successfully mine obsidian and drop the block for you to pick up. Silk Touch is only necessary if you specifically need the obsidian block itself placed directly into your inventory without "breaking" it (like if you want to move an intact Nether portal frame block). For simply collecting obsidian material, a normal diamond pick works perfectly fine.
Q: How does obsidian form in Minecraft?
A: Obsidian forms only when a flowing water block collides directly with a lava source block. Water flowing onto flowing lava creates cobblestone or stone. Water flowing onto a lava source block creates obsidian. You can create it yourself by pouring water from a bucket onto a lava source block.
Q: Is obsidian blast-proof?
A: Yes, obsidian has extremely high blast resistance. It has a blast resistance value of 1200, meaning it can withstand explosions from creepers, ghast fireballs, TNT, and even the initial blast when the Wither is spawned. Only the Ender Dragon, End Crystals, Bed explosions in the Nether/End, and the Wither's *blue* skulls can break obsidian. It's the best widely available blast-resistant block.
Q: What's the difference between obsidian and crying obsidian?
A: Regular obsidian is solid black and used for portals, enchanting tables, etc. Crying Obsidian has a purple, tear-like particle effect and is found primarily in Ruined Portals. Its key uses are crafting the Respawn Anchor (for setting spawn in the Nether) and light emission (it has a light level of 10). You mine crying obsidian the same way as regular obsidian – with a diamond or netherite pickaxe.
Final Nuggets of Obsidian Wisdom
Figuring out how do you mine obsidian on Minecraft is a rite of passage. It feels slow at first, but once you get Efficiency on your pick, it's manageable. Creating your own farm beats spelunking for hours. Ruined portals are an early-game blessing. Diamond pickaxe is non-negotiable. Water bucket is your lava safety net.
Is mining obsidian fun? Not particularly. It's a chore. But getting that first portal lit, or finally crafting that Enchanting Table? That's the good stuff. That's progress. Now get out there, find some lava (carefully!), and start mining. You got this.
Seriously though, bring extra water buckets. Always.
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