Minecraft:Lightning Rod

Template:ForTemplate:ForTemplate:Infobox block A lightning rod is a Minecraft:block that diverts Minecraft:lightning strikes. Getting struck by lightning causes it to emit a Minecraft:redstone signal and, if it is not Minecraft:waxed, also reduces its level of Minecraft:oxidation.

Obtaining

Breaking

A lightning rod must be mined with a stone pickaxe or better, or else it drops nothing. Template:Breaking row

Usage

Diverting lightning

Lightning rods can be oriented in different directions. Lightning rods that are the highest block in the column redirect lightning strikes within a spherical volume having a radius of 128 blocks in Java Edition and 64 blocks in Bedrock Edition. The block emits particles during thunderstorms as an indicator. If multiple lightning rods are in range, the closest to the original location of the strike is chosen.

In order to divert Minecraft:lightning bolts, a lightning rod cannot have any block (excluding Minecraft:air)Template:Only or blocks with a Minecraft:collision boxTemplate:Only at any position above its own.

A lightning rod can be struck by lightning when hit by a Minecraft:trident enchanted with Minecraft:Channeling during Minecraft:thunderstorms. This can happen as long as the blocks above the lightning rod are fully Minecraft:transparent (do not block Minecraft:sky light).

Lightning rods do not divert lightning created by a Channeling trident thrown at an entity, or lightning summoned by commands.

Unlike in real life, a lightning rod doesn't require a direct connection to ground in order to work.

Lightning strikes on lightning rods cannot summon Minecraft:skeleton trap horses.

The area where the lightning rod spreads fire is a 2-block radius sphere.The middle of the sphere is the air block right on top of the lightning rod. Inside the sphere, only two blocks never catch on fire - the lightning rod itself and the block on which it's placed. A flammable block placed anywhere else within the sphere has a chance to catch on fire.

A Cross-section wool block model showing safe flammable block placement around the lightning rod. Java Edition 1.21.5

A lightning rod emits a redstone pulse, and strongly powers the block it's attached to, at level 15 for 8 game ticks (0.4 seconds) when struck by lightning.

Lightning diverted by a lightning rod inflicts lightning damage on mobs within a 6×12×6 volume centered 4 blocks above the bottom center of the lightning rod block (that is, extending 2 below and 9 above).

When a lightning rod is struck by lightning, the lightning has a chance to set Minecraft:fire to the surrounding blocks. In Java Edition, the lightning tries to set fire to a 3×3×3 volume around the air block directly above the lightning rod. Then, fire spawning conditions apply: The block itself must be air and is either on top of a block with a solid full top or is adjacent to a flammable block.

This creates a danger zone of a 2-block radius sphere around the air block directly above the lightning rod (this sphere is all the blocks adjacent to the 3×3×3 volume and the volume itself). However, two blocks within this sphere are never set on fire by the lightning - the lightning rod itself and the block on which it's placed.

Oxidation

Template:Main Non-waxed lightning rods have four stages of oxidation (including the initial normal state). Minecraft:Lightning bolts and Minecraft:axes can remove the oxidation on lightning rods. They can be waxed with Minecraft:honeycomb to prevent oxidation from progressing.

As the block begins to oxidize (exposed), it gets discolored and green spots begin to appear. As the oxidation continues (weathered), the block is a green color with brown spots. In the last stage (oxidized), the block is teal with several green spots.

Sounds

Unique

Template:Edition: None<ref>Template:Bug</ref>

Data values

ID

Template:Edition: Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table Template:ID table

Template:Edition: Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2 Template:ID table2

Block states

Template:El: Template:Bst Template:Bst Template:Bst

Template:Edition: Template:Bst Template:Bst

History

Trivia

File:Lightning Rod Head Replace.png

Lightning rod placed on a player's head using Template:Cmd.

• According to Minecraft:Minecraft Live 2020, Ulraf had the idea of lightning rods when a Minecraft:lightning strike burned down his Minecraft:wooden house.<ref>Template:Ytl</ref>
• In Template:MCD, lightning rods can be found atop Template:MCD of Template:MCD being used to create charged creepers.
• If Template:Command is used to place a lightning rod on a player's head, the item appears upside-down and to the right of their head, somewhat resembling a robot's antenna.Template:Only

Gallery

Screenshots

• Range testing in Java 1.17.1. Glowstone marks where lightning struck.
  Range testing in Java 1.17.1. Glowstone marks where lightning struck.
• Range testing in Bedrock 1.17.34, simulation distance 12. Sea lanterns mark lightning strikes.
  Range testing in Bedrock 1.17.34, simulation distance 12. Sea lanterns mark lightning strikes.
• Lightning hitting a lightning rod and sending a redstone signal.
  Lightning hitting a lightning rod and sending a redstone signal.
• A lightning-struck lightning rod decreasing the oxidizing level of nearby blocks of copper.
  A lightning-struck lightning rod decreasing the oxidizing level of nearby blocks of copper.

Mojang screenshots

• File:Too Much Lightning.jpg
• Four stages of lightning rods.
  Four stages of lightning rods.
• A lightning rod on top of a copper building
  A lightning rod on top of a copper building

Development images

• File:Lightning Rod Strike.png
• File:JE 1.17 Development Lightning Rod.jpg
• File:JE 1.17 Dev Lightning rod testing.jpg