Obsidian
minecraft:obsidianObsidian is one of the toughest blocks obtainable in Survival, with a blast resistance of 1,200 — among the highest in the game. It forms when water flows over a lava source block, turning the volcanic glass into a near-indestructible material used for portals, storage, and high-value crafting.
Uses
- Nether Portal — Forms the frame of a Nether portal, a vertical rectangle from 4x5 up to 23x23 activated with flint and steel.
- Enchanting Table — Crafted from 1 book, 2 diamonds, and 4 obsidian.
- Ender Chest — Crafted from 8 obsidian and 1 eye of ender for shared, cross-dimensional storage.
- Beacon Base — Combined with glass and a nether star to craft a beacon.
Found In
- Overworld — Ruined portals, cold ocean ruins, and woodland mansions.
- The Nether — Ruined portals, fortress chests, and bastion remnants.
- The End — The spawn platform, obsidian pillars, and End ships.
Drops
- obsidian× 1
FAQ
What tool do I need to mine obsidian?
A diamond or netherite pickaxe. Weaker tools break it slowly and drop nothing; a diamond pickaxe takes about 9.4 seconds.
Is obsidian the strongest block in Survival?
Its blast resistance of 1,200 is the highest of any block obtainable in Survival, tied with crying obsidian, anvils, and netherite blocks.
Can anything destroy obsidian?
Blue wither skulls ignore blast resistance and can break obsidian — the wither is the only mob capable of it.
Can pistons move obsidian?
No. Neither normal nor sticky pistons can push or pull it.
How do I farm obsidian without mining it?
Direct water onto lava source blocks to create it on demand; End platforms and portal frames also regenerate obsidian.
Tags
- pickaxe_mineable
- needs_diamond_tool
- blast_resistant
- crafting