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. Since the Adventure Update, torches have warmer light when placed. They can also be found naturally in Abandoned Mine Shafts, Strongholds 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.

History

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


 * 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.


 * 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

 * 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. This can also be used to regain air while underwater.


 * 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 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. However, if the torch is placed quickly enough after removing the base of a stack of falling blocks, the stack remains in place.

Bugs

 * Any torches placed before the Beta 1.6.4 update will emit 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 Beta 1.8 Torches that were generated in, for example, an Abandoned Mine Shaft, did not emit light until destroyed and replaced.
 * Also in Beta 1.8, if you placed a torch at the bottom of a body of water, the torch would immediately break and drop into an item. However, the light from the torch remained, allowing you to see the ground under water. This bug was patched as of 1.9 Pre-Release.