Torch

The Torch is a type of block found in Indev onwards since the support for dynamic lighting. It is one of the many blocks that emit light. In addition, it adjusts its model in relation to how it is placed on a block, so that it can be made to attach to any side of a block except the bottom side. They look similar to Redstone torches in appearance.

From just one log and eight pieces of coal or charcoal 32 torches can be made, making them an easily obtainable item.

Notch announced that torches will become temporary sources of light that will eventually go out. They will need to be relit with flint and steel. The permanent torch will be replaced with Lanterns, and all torches that exist already in saved games whether placed, stored or in inventory will become lanterns. This was supposed to take effect on October, 31st 2010 with the Halloween Update, but it was postponed until a later update. Until then, torches are permanent. Torches will have a warmer light in Beta 1.8 Adventure Update. They can also be found in abandoned mine shafts and NPC villages.

Properties
Torches act as a full block, for the purpose of placing other objects or torches in the same area. Being a solid brick, this even prevents sand and gravel from falling down past a square with a torch on it. Sand or gravel break when they fall on a torch If they are placed directly above a torch they act as if they were on any other solid material, allowing them to be used as environmental triggers, such as Airlocks. Players can pass through torches, and therefore a torch can be placed directly under the player without the player needing to move or jump. Torches also melt nearby snow and ice, making them useful to keep skylights from being snowed over and lakes from freezing in snow biomes. Since monsters spawn in darkness, it is common to use torches as light sources. However, some people use alternatives, such as fire and lava lighting. The smoke from a torch extends up 2½ blocks. So if you are building a secret room with torches, be sure to put it down at least 3 blocks from the roof.

Torch placement
'' * Torches may be placed on the sides of openable blocks such as chests by having another block which a torch cannot be placed on (such as glass or another torch) also facing the cube where the torch should be placed, and attempting to place a torch on it. Or trying to place the torch on a ceiling next to a wall. The torch will instead attach to an acceptable block such as the chest. Since Beta 1.7 torches can be placed on fences.

** As of Beta 1.7, torches cannot be placed on leaves, whether they are found naturally on a tree or placed after being trimmed with shears.

Trivia

 * In 1.8, if you pay very close attention to the light emitted by a torch, you can see that it slightly flickers, like a real flame.


 * If the key to toggle fog (Default : ) is rapidly pressed, the flames from a torch can be seen. This is useful if you are lost in a cave and need to find your way back. You can also find a dungeon with this method. However, since the F key does not toggle fog anymore since the 1.8 update, this no longer works.


 * In Indev 0.31 Torches had an alternative fashion in your inventory, appearing much shorter:Minecraftindevtorch.jpg


 * When a torch is placed in water, it will be detached, as if you had destroyed it. The block it was placed in will have no water in it afterwards, unless two adjacent water sources cause a third to be created.


 * If you jump on a placed torch, you will hear a sound of stepping on a wooden block. This is only the sound effect however, so you will not actually stand on it. You must also be moving in a horizontal direction as well, so running and jumping on them is the way to check it.


 * It would take 1.26018466 × 10^14 torches to light the entire surface of a minecraft map. It would take approximately double that number to cover everything in a minecraft map, caves and all, counting the 12 million blocks as the edge of the map.


 * If a block falls onto a torch (Sand or Gravel), it breaks the block and gives the player the resource, but the gravel will not drop Flint.


 * In an early version of the game, when removing the block torch leaned on moved the torch on another available block, if there was one.

Glitches

 * There is a glitch that causes torches to not work properly if exposed to direct sunlight. This can be fixed by replacing the torch.
 * A glitch was introduced in the Beta 1.2 update that allows a torch to be affixed to the bottom of a block. This makes it appear the torch is floating on air, however the torch is removed when the upper block is removed. This was promptly fixed in 1.2_01.
 * Before Beta, there was a glitch where you could place torches on leaf blocks to copy them.
 * You can place blocks on top of the torch itself.
 * If you were playing when the Beta 1.6.4 update happened, any torches placed would give off no light, even while still showing the smoke and flame animations.
 * Removing a wall-mounted torch on a server and placing a new torch on another wall-block or floor block (with the torch itself in the same block) before the item has "Dropped" will place the new torch on the same wall block, regardless of where it is placed.
 * In 1.8 Torches that are generated in say a ravine do not emit light until destroyed and replaced.
 * Also in 1.8, if you place a torch at the bottom of a body of water, the torch will immediately break and drop into an item. However, the light from the torch remains, allowing you to see the ground under water.