What Blocks Will Mobs Try To Walk On But Fall

Jordan Emanuel

2 min read

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28-12-2024

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Minecraft's mob AI is surprisingly complex, particularly regarding pathfinding and block interactions. While most mobs will traverse most solid blocks, there are certain blocks that present unique challenges, causing mobs to attempt to walk on them, only to fall through. Understanding this mechanic can be beneficial for both trap building and general gameplay.

Blocks That Often Fool Mobs

Several blocks share the common trait of appearing solid from a distance, but lacking the underlying properties to support mob movement:

• Soul Sand & Soul Soil: These blocks are notorious for this behavior. While they appear walkable, their unique friction properties cause mobs to move slowly, and often they'll simply fall through if their pathfinding isn't perfectly precise. This is particularly useful for creating mob traps.

• Water & Lava: While not exactly "walkable," mobs will attempt to navigate these blocks, frequently resulting in them falling to their doom (or at least being significantly inconvenienced). This makes these a classic, albeit somewhat obvious, method for controlling mob movement.

• Fences & Walls: These blocks only partially obstruct passage. While many mobs will attempt to traverse them, often they will find themselves unable to complete the traversal and fall through gaps. Careful placement can create effective but slightly unpredictable traps.

• Half-Slabs: These present only a partial surface. While some smaller mobs might manage to walk on them, larger ones will often find themselves falling through. This can be combined with other blocks to create more elaborate traps.

• Carpets: Similar to half-slabs, carpets are too thin to support many mobs. They might attempt to walk on them, but often will fail.

Understanding Mob AI and Pathfinding

It's important to remember that mob AI isn't perfect. Their pathfinding isn't always the most efficient, and occasional glitches or unpredictable behaviors can occur. What works consistently for one mob might not work for another, particularly with larger or more intelligent mobs like creepers or endermen.

Practical Applications

Knowing which blocks mobs will fall through can be highly beneficial for:

• Mob Trapping: Creating efficient and effective mob farms often relies on exploiting this mechanic.

• Building Challenges: Understanding this behaviour allows for more creative and less predictable building designs, particularly if you're attempting to design things like mob-proof structures.

• Gameplay Strategy: Using this knowledge can greatly aid in escaping dangerous mobs or even herding them in desired directions.

By understanding the subtle differences in how different blocks interact with mob AI, you can significantly enhance your Minecraft experience. Experimentation is key to mastering this knowledge!