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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[1]. 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 with the Halloween Update, but it was postponed until a later update.[2] Until then, torches are permanent.

Properties

Torches

Torches in various positions

Torches act as a full square, 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, making it possible to build a roof completely out of these materials. If sand or gravel fall onto a torch they break, if they are placed directly above a torch they act as if they were on any other solid material. This allows 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 winter maps. 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

Block Name Torch Place-able
Bedrock Yes
Obsidian Yes
Water No
Brick Yes
Cobblestone Yes
Diamond Block Yes
Gold Block Yes
Iron Block Yes
Jukebox Yes*
Moss Stone Yes
Cobblestone Stairs Yes*
Double Slab Yes
Single Slab No
Stone Yes
Iron Door Yes*
Mob Spawner Yes*
Furnace Yes*
Coal Ore Yes
Diamond Ore Yes
Wooden Door Yes*
Fence No
Gold ore Yes
Torch No
Block Name Torch Place-able
Iron ore Yes
Redstone ore Yes
Wooden Stairs Yes*
Wooden Planks Yes
Chest Yes*
Workbench Yes*
Log Yes
Bookshelf Yes
Jack-O-Lantern Yes
Pumpkin Yes
Sign Post No
Wall Sign No
Wool Yes
Rails No
Clay Yes
Farmland Yes
Grass Yes
Gravel Yes
Sponge Yes
Dirt Yes
Ice No
Lever No
Stone Pressure Plate No
Wooden Pressure Plate No
Block Name Torch Place-able
Sand Yes
Soul Sand Yes
Stone Button No
Cactus Yes*
Ladders No
Netherrack Yes
Glass No
Glowstone Yes
Leaves Yes**
Snow Block Yes
Snow No
Crops No
Red rose No
Yellow flower No
Fire No
Lava No
Brown Mushroom No
Red Mushroom No
Portal Yes*
Redstone Wire No
Redstone Torch No
Sugar Cane No
Sapling No
TNT Yes

* 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.

** Torches can be placed on the block if fast graphics is on. Switching to fast graphics, placing the torch and then switching back to fancy will not remove the torch.

Crafting

Ingredients Input » Output Description
Stick +
Coal
Template:Grid/Crafting Table Used to generate light. Torches also melt snow and ice.

Trivia

  • If the key to toggle fog (Default : F) 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.
  • 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.
  • Were going to be re-skined and become Lanterns (with new crafting recipe) and the new torch would have to be re-lit with Flint and Steel(with original crafting recipe).
  • 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.
  • Torches can be used to allow unlimited time underwater. Torches have the unique property of, when placed underwater, displacing a 1x1 block whilst allowing the player to occupy the same block. To use this for unlimited underwater breathing simply find, build, or dig in a way which has a block at head level with you character and while facing said block place a torch on it side. This will create a momentary air pocket before the torch is smothered and will reset your air meter.

Glitches

File:Brokentorches.png

A torch glitch, caused by placing a sequence of torches under sunlight.

  • 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.

External links

References

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