South-east rule

The South/West rule is an unintentional mechanic in Minecraft wherein various effects occur based on compass rose directions. Generally, these effects occur in a South/West variant.

This mechanic may 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's base which would require use of a compass.

Today, it is easier to get your compass rose direction by opening the debug screen and looking the value "f" under coordinates. In f, 0 is South, 1 is West, 2 is North and 3 is East.

Block directionality
Blocks are placed at a fixed orientation. Knowing this, it is possible to use the textures on the vertical faces of the blocks to orientate oneself as if with a compass.

The South/West rule also occurs in certain other items.
 * Minecarts will favor south or west motion at a "+" intersection due to the fact they favor "starting" at the North or East edge.
 * 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. (Fixed in 1.6)
 * 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-west.

Règle du sud-ouest