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Minecraft/Resources & crafting
Obsidian
Resources & crafting

Obsidian

Java Edition · crafting, gathering and project requirements.

Java Edition
WHERE & HOW TO FARM

Create and harvest obsidian

Overworld — lava source pool where water can flow across its surface.

Create obsidian by letting flowing water touch lava source blocks, then mine the converted blocks with the required pickaxe. Track remaining lava around the deposit so you do not mistake flowing lava for a safe source to work over.

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SEE WHERE TO GO

Interactive location map

Interactive maps & location tools

Your world seed map · Java 26.3

Enter your world seed, generation version and dimension to locate biomes and structures. Ore deposits still require the depth and tool instructions below.

Match the version that generated your chunks. Biome maps do not show exact ore blocks.

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GET STARTED

How to farm

Before you go

  • Water source.
  • Lava source blocks.
  • Diamond or netherite pickaxe for obsidian drops.
  • Safe footing and room to collect blocks.
  1. Find a lava pool with source blocks that can be reached safely from its edge.
  2. Place water so it flows over lava source blocks and converts them to obsidian.
  3. Check the resulting surface and surrounding pool for remaining lava before stepping onto it.
  4. Mine the obsidian with a diamond or netherite pickaxe.
  5. Collect the drops and check the newly exposed area for additional lava.
  6. Repeat water placement over accessible source blocks as needed.
  7. Carry the obsidian home and use it for the intended portal or build.

Farming tips

  • The key interaction is flowing water touching a lava source block; flowing lava alone is not the target.
  • Work from safe footing and keep track of the pool as each layer is exposed.

Repeat, collect and use

Repeatable while additional lava source blocks are available, but each converted block is consumed when mined.

Common mistakes

  • Mining obsidian with an insufficient pickaxe: use diamond or netherite tier to obtain it.
  • Assuming all visible lava is a source: verify blocks before flooding and mining.
  • Stepping onto a pool before checking for remaining lava: secure the surface first.

When to stop or switch

Stop when you have enough obsidian for the intended project or when no safe source blocks remain nearby.

Sources & fact checks
minecraft.wiki ↗

Other ways to get it

Mine a ruined portal

Ruined portal structures in the Overworld or Nether

  • Diamond or netherite pickaxe.
  1. Locate a ruined portal and identify ordinary obsidian blocks.
  2. Mine those blocks with the required pickaxe.
  • Crying obsidian is a different block.
Sources & fact checks
minecraft.wiki ↗
REWARD DETAILS & CONDITIONS

Sources & rewards

Farming route

Mine a ruined portal

Ruined portal structures in the Overworld or Nether

  • Diamond or netherite pickaxe.
Rate not listed
Farming route

Create and harvest obsidian

Overworld — lava source pool where water can flow across its surface.

  • Water source.
  • Lava source blocks.
  • Diamond or netherite pickaxe for obsidian drops.
  • Safe footing and room to collect blocks.
Rate not listed
Gathering

Ender Chest

Java 26.3 · Blocks

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Use a suitable tool; enchantments and explosion rules may change the result.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Gathering

Obsidian

Java 26.3 · Blocks

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Use a suitable tool; enchantments and explosion rules may change the result.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Chest

Bastion Other

Java 26.3 · Chests

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Open the specified chest type; generated loot depends on world context.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Chest

Nether Bridge

Java 26.3 · Chests

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Open the specified chest type; generated loot depends on world context.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Chest

Ruined Portal

Java 26.3 · Chests

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Open the specified chest type; generated loot depends on world context.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Chest

Village · Village Weaponsmith

Java 26.3 · Chests

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • Open the specified chest type; generated loot depends on world context.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
Rate not listed
Bartering

Piglin bartering

Java 26.3 · Gameplay

  • Vanilla Java Edition 26.3.
  • A barter reward roll; item consumption and practical timing are not modeled.
  • Datapacks, plugins and modified servers are outside this baseline.
8.5288% per barter
WHAT IT IS FOR

Used for

Newest items appear first in each group. Quantities include all listed upgrades; costs vary by level or recipe.

Projects 2
Enchanting SetupEnchanting SetupFull build · default recipes ×4↗× 4per craft or build
Nether Travel KitNether Travel KitFull build · default recipes ×10↗× 10per craft or build
Components & recipes 3
Enchanting TableEnchanting TableCrafting Shaped ×4↗× 4per craft or build
BeaconBeaconCrafting Shaped ×3↗× 3per craft or build
Ender ChestEnder ChestCrafting Shaped ×8↗× 8per craft or build

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