South-east rule

The South-East Rule is an unintentional mechanic in Minecraft wherein various effects occur based on compass rose directions. Generally, these effects occur in a South-East variant.


 * Minecarts will favor South or East motion at a "+" (four way) intersection because they favor "starting" at the North or West edge.
 * Unpowered tracks will curve south or east when they are initially placed at a "T" intersection.

This mechanic may be used to help build simple railways and predict minecart travel.

Furthermore, this mechanic may also be used to help determine direction without the use of a compass, if one is in the Nether and it does not function properly, or if the player is underground without a compass and cannot see the sun. Since a compass does not determine direction, merely direction towards the spawn point, in SMP one might wish to find another player's base which would require use of a compass.

History
Prior to 1.6, a dispenser will fire arrows, eggs, or snowballs through a solid block right next to the dispenser if the dispenser is facing West or South.

In 1.9pre4, the South-West rule was changed to the South-East rule.

Trivia

 * The debug screen displays direction using the value "f" under coordinates such that 0 is South, 1 is West, 2 is North and 3 is East.
 * When a block is being broken, its cracks always maintain a certain cardinality.
 * Trees in the Nether warp when grown, and this warping is parallel to a line going south-east.
 * Other consistent directional behaviors are listed on the Trivia: Block Orientation page.

Règle du sud-ouest