TNT

TNT (trinitrotoluene) is a highly destructive block that, once activated, creates an explosion. TNT is usually recommended as a quick and efficient method for destroying large portions of undesirable blocks or structures. It can also be used as a weapon, but isn't recommended due to its destructive nature and its potential to seriously injure or even kill players if they stray too close to the blast radius. Detonating TNT in water will prevent it from destroying any blocks; however, entities will still be damaged if within the blast radius.

Explosive Properties


A TNT block can be "activated" by:
 * being right clicked with flint and steel
 * a redstone current
 * contact with fire (including a fire charge or flaming arrow) or lava
 * being in the blast radius of a nearby explosion.

Once activated, the TNT block will become a slightly smaller "Primed TNT entity" with a countdown timer. If the block was activated by redstone or fire, the timer will be 4 seconds; if it was blasted by an explosion it will be shorter. The TNT entity will flash twice a second, and emit smoke. When activated, it will jump slightly, a small fraction of a block. While it is counting down, it will obey physics, not only responding to gravity, but being moved by other explosions as well. It will pass through other entities (but not solid blocks), notably including other pieces of Primed TNT.

When the timer expires, the Primed TNT will visibly expand, and then explode. Almost all blocks (see list below), mobs, and players caught in the blast radius will take damage or be destroyed/killed outright. However, the damage to blocks (but not the player or mobs) can be prevented by detonating the TNT in a liquid. Floating items hit by the blast will be destroyed, however any block between an item and the center of the blast, no matter the size or material, will protect the item from destruction.

The TNT blast will propagate according to this formula f=e-r, where f is the force of the TNT blast after propagating through the block, e is the energy of the blast before propagating through the block, and r is the blast resistance of the block. Thus, the explosion propagates farthest (7 blocks) through air, which has a blast resistance of zero. However, TNT immediately enclosed in stone will destroy an exact 3x3x3 cube originating from the center of the blast. The damage is lethal at close range.

Numerous blocks and entities can survive TNT blasts, and even protect the player. In the case of blocks, obsidian, bedrock, and liquid source blocks are immune to TNT explosions, which allows for bomb shelters, a sealed world, and TNT Cannons, respectively. In addition, a player or mob sitting in a minecart will take minimal damage from a TNT explosion, and this effect allows them to be launched great distances.

For those who use TNT in The Nether, or deep underground, lava can and will eventually set fire to TNT, causing it to detonate. Furthermore, since TNT explosions require intensive CPU power, large explosions will cause severe stuttering in singleplayer and extreme lag while playing in multiplayer.

In addition, TNT has several interesting properties. Theoretically, an infinite amount of primed TNT can fit into one cubic meter because primed TNT will not collide with other primed TNT. Falling sand and gravel entities will react accordingly to a detonation, scattering from the point of origin, and will fall through the TNT when it is triggered. If sand or gravel fall through primed TNT while it is underwater, the TNT will detonate normally, causing an explosion.

Uses
TNT monster traps can be created, making TNT a powerful defensive tool. When exposed to a Redstone current, the TNT activates as if it had been activated by a player. Combine this with a Pressure Plate and you can create an automatic defense for your buildings. Also, if you dig two blocks down, place a TNT block, then a solid block and then a pressure plate on top you get a landmine, which is great for defense.

For the TNT to receive the circuit's signal, the Redstone needs to be directed straight into it from at least one of four sides, from either the Layer the TNT is based on, or above or below one layer. Diagonally adjacent entry will not make a connection. Redstone next to TNT will also set off the TNT, even if it is not directly connected with it (through a T connection not directly connected, or an "I" connection running parallel alongside it). TNT will only be set off by redstone if the redstone signal it is receiving turns on. This means that if it is receiving a current when it is placed, it will not be set off, but if the signal turns off and turns on again, it will be set off. There is however a bug where after flipping the signal off, sometimes only a few of the TNT blocks will become active. Redstone torches will activate a TNT block as well if directly under the TNT block, or under a block on which the TNT rests. TNT can also be detonated when a bow with Flame enchantment shoots the TNT block.

TNT is also good for clearing large amounts of dirt or gravel when mining underground. It should be noted that you should avoid using TNT to clear areas when high up in a ravine, as the TNT might destroy the block you were standing on, causing you to fall to your death, you might fall off when running away from the TNT to avoid blast damage, and if you get hit by an explosion and surviving (mostly because of armor) you will probably be knocked off by the explosion knockback. Though TNT has explosive properties, and creates a very powerful blast, no amount of it could destroy Bedrock, the layer of hard rock at the bottom that separates the Void and the Overworld that is impossible to destroy.

Because primed TNT is affected by physics, it is used as a projectile which is propelled by an explosion of a TNT charge in TNT Cannons. Also, arrows attached to TNT will fall off when it becomes a primed TNT. This can be used to create arrow traps.

It is possible to "rocketjump" via TNT, by jumping while standing on it just before it explodes. However, this will deal damage, and possibly kill an unprotected player, so heavy armor is needed.

Both activated and non-activated TNT can be pushed with pistons. No explosion properties or damage levels are changed by the push. Like any other block, it will stop as soon as the piston is fully extended; it is not launched.

Although this may be a bug, TNT can be used to view nearby caves/underground spaces. This is done by using pistons to push TNT into where you are standing. Because TNT is transparent, this will not hurt you, but will allow you to see through all blocks that aren't adjacent to air. However, as TNT is quite dangerous and may be accidentally set off by the Redstone controlling the piston, it's best to use a block like Glowstone instead.

Mining
Mining using TNT might be faster than mining by hand but it is impractical for gathering resources; about 70% of the blocks are completely destroyed in the process. In addition, TNT is not very effective when used to mine cobblestone and ores and is only time efficient when mining blocks with a low damage resistance, such as dirt or sand. The items needed to make TNT are quite valuable and may be a waste of resources if nothing is gained out of it. Nevertheless, TNT can be a part of efficient mining techniques - as the means of removing unneeded layers of blocks and exposing underlying layers. It can also be used for clearing large volumes for underground building projects.

Water, still lava, obsidian, Anvils, bedrock, enchantment tables, ender chests, and end portal frames are the only materials that will resist a TNT explosion.

Normal lava blocks are also resistant to TNT, and will not be destroyed by it. However, “flowing” lava blocks (those which are in the process changing their flow pattern, not those which display a current) are easily destructible by explosions; therefore, multiple successive explosions (changing the environment around the lava and causing it to flow) may destroy lava.

Water as blast controller
If a layer of water is spread between a destructible block and an explosion, the block will be protected. A one-block-thick water screen will stop most explosions from reaching the other side, however, a player laying multiple blocks of TNT should mind the placement of the explosives, as primed TNT entities may launch each other through the water screen. Using water this way lets you use TNT near an important area, such as a house, base, or ore vein.

Thus, a player can use this to dig a big quarry or hole precisely and quickly by placing a "curtain" of water on the extremities of said hole and dynamiting the center.

A player could also make a TNT trap that drops TNT into a block of water, preserving the blocks around it but damaging, if not killing, the mob that activated it.

You could make a timed TNT fuse by placing redstone repeaters in a straight line and then you can select the delays. then when you turn it on you will have enough time to run from the TNT but this is advised for people that have placed a very large amount of TNT (because the blast range and damage could kill you). To make a crater all the way down to bedrock, you must commit the cardinal Minecraft sin, digging straight down. Do this to bedrock, then pillar-jump all the way back up with TNT. Then light the top block of TNT and seek shelter quickly.

Spleef
TNT can also be used in spleef arenas. Because they are destroyed in one hit, they work better than dirt or other materials and do not need a tool to destroy. Make sure nobody has redstone torch, levers, buttons, a fire charge, a pressure plate, flint and steel, or lava. Another way to make sure it's harmless would be to use a plugin to disable explosions.

Cannon
A TNT cannon can be made by laying water and TNT in a position that causes the water to keep the TNT from causing damage to blocks, but still affect entities that are within range of the blast. This means that it will launch another lit TNT block away, and the TNT block that was launched flies in the direction it was launched in until it lands or explodes. This can be useful in battles, defending a base, etc. and can kill players in multiplayer. Different sizes and setups can cause more powerful launches or different trajectories. Because falling TNT is an entity it can be launched using a TNT cannon with or without the help of pistons. Unfortunately, because of the 1.5/1.5.1 update the distance that the TNT is fired has been nerfed so the TNT often blows up in mid air.

Spawner Destruction
TNT can also be used to destroy monster spawners. They have a blast resistance of 25 but are easily destroyable with one block of TNT.

This system of destroying mob spawners has a few advantages:


 * It means the Player does not have to risk attack by any hostile mobs. It's especially useful when removing cave spider spawners in Abandoned Mine Shafts, as these spiders poison the player.
 * All mobs near the spawner are severely injured or killed outright -- little to no manual killing needed.
 * In the case of cave spider spawners, the explosion will greatly reduce the number of Cobwebs (blast resistance 20) around the spawner.

However there are a few disadvantages:


 * For this method to work effectively, you must be directly above the mob spawner.
 * When the TNT is lit, you have to vacate the area otherwise you'll risk being blown up, or taking fall damage by blowing a hole in the ground and falling into a ravine -- or worse, lava.
 * For destroying lots of spawners, you'll need to find lots of Creepers to get the gunpowder you need.
 * There is also a possibility of destroying important ores you might've needed. In a dungeon, you will certainly destroy much of the Moss Stone.
 * Naturally, you also lose any chance of "farming" the spawner.

Griefing
TNT is a very popular griefing weapon as it is capable of destroying a large amount of blocks. It is used to destroy houses/buildings, to make traps, and to kill other players. It can also be used on servers as a "bargaining" tool against uncooperative users.

Elevators
TNT can be used to make an effective elevator system. If you set up a block of TNT with a button, with a water block alongside the TNT, you can jump at the right moment and launch yourself up into the air.

Minecart with TNT
As of 13w02a, you can craft TNT and a Minecart together to make a Minecart with TNT, which may be activated by using an Activator Rail. This may be able to be used in many adventure maps and in some other ways unknown at the moment. It can also explode in the air, and when it hits the ground, it will explode, which is an easy alternative to a cannon.

Primed TNT
Primed TNT is an entity. It is spawned at the center (+0.5,+0.5,+0.5) of a powered TNT block, while itself is a cube with an edge length of 0.98. Its fuse lasts 40 (redstone) ticks (4 seconds/80 game ticks) if activated by redstone or fire, or a random number between 10 to 30 game ticks (.5 to 1.5 seconds) if it's destroyed by an explosion.

Once spawned, the primed TNT is given a vertical velocity of 0.2 m/tick, and a horizontal velocity of 0.02 m/tick in a random direction. If it does not collide with another block, it will travel 0.166m horizontally on flat ground before it stops and explodes. A primed TNT can be lit on fire in the same manner as arrows can, but it does nothing.

When TNT is primed in light, it flashes white. However, when primed in darkness, it flashes black.

Trivia

 * In Beta TNT could be lit by breaking it.
 * An activated or "primed" block of TNT will fall 77 blocks before exploding.
 * Destroying TNT makes the same sound as destroying a grass block.
 * In multiplayer, the burning fuse sound TNT makes before it explodes cannot be heard.
 * Like the arrows, primed TNT will catch on fire if it is shot through lava.
 * If a Spawn Egg is set to spawn Primed TNT using a mod, then an explosion will immediately follow when the egg is used. That is because the fuse is 0 ticks.
 * If TNT is blown up just as an arrow passes by, then the arrow is redirected opposite of the blast.
 * Detonating a large amount of TNT may cause Minecraft to severely lag or even crash.
 * To have a TNT block drop down and destroy blocks underwater, before the Redstone current is applied, a block of gravel should be added on top of the TNT. The gravel will fall with the TNT, the TNT will land below the water, and the gravel will land and form a block around the TNT, which will allow the TNT to destroy blocks underwater.
 * TNT and the Command block are the only solid blocks that break instantly.
 * As of 1.2.5, if the player is standing in a 2 block deep by 1 block wide hole and has Sticky Pistons push TNT into him/her, he/she will be given an x-ray view of surrounding caverns. It can be used for locating Spawners and some exposed Ores ( not the veins, like in mods ). This can also be done with glowstone.
 * Although flint & steel cannot light fires in Adventure Mode, it can still ignite TNT.
 * While under the effects of a Potion of Night Vision, TNT will appear fullbright as usual, but will ignore the potion's effect and take on the light around it when primed, because it's an entity when it's primed.
 * If TNT, when primed, hops up and just barely lands on a block directly below and next to it,and then slides off, the TNT will fall, but the explosion will appear where the TNT almost landed before sliding off.
 * By combining TNT cannons and player launching devices, one can make a "firework base" that shoots TNT into the air, letting it explode like professional-grade fireworks in real life.
 * When the player primes TNT and the primed block falls into the end, the TNT block will detonate when the player enters the end. This gives the player an opportunity to detonate hundreds of TNT blocks instantaneously.
 * You can see primed TNT from about (at the most) 70 blocks away.
 * TNT is available for building in Pocket Edition creative mode, but it cannot be ignited because PE creative lacks flint and steel.
 * As of Official Release 1.5, Mobs killed by Player-ignited TNT (via Flint and Steel or by Flaming Arrows) will drop EXP orbs as though they were killed by the player in regular combat. This makes for effective EXP and Mob drop farming.
 * TNT ignited via Redstone signals or Fire will otherwise cause mobs to drop no EXP.
 * The crafting recipe for TNT (sand and gunpowder) may be a reference to the fact that early gunpowder was made by mixing powders together (sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal), and to the fact that Creeper gunpowder used to be called Sulfur. Real-life TNT is made by repeatedly treating toluene with concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids.
 * When primed TNT is directed towards a Nether Portal, it will only pass through said blocks and not travel into the Nether. (Tested with a TNT cannon).
 * Although primed TNT will get caught in Cobwebs, TNT propelled fast enough will fly through them without slowing down at all.