Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Obsidian and Crying Obsidian in Minecraft
Obsidian forms when flowing water touches a lava source block. It needs a diamond or netherite pickaxe, takes a long time to mine, and is immune to normal explosions, which makes it the classic Nether portal and blast-proof block. Crying obsidian is a glowing purple version found in ruined portals and from piglin bartering; it crafts respawn anchors but cannot make portals.
How do you get obsidian?
- Pour water onto still lava; every lava source the water flows onto becomes obsidian.
- Mine it with a diamond or netherite pickaxe; anything else drops nothing.
- Break an ender chest without Silk Touch for 8 obsidian.
- Find it in ruined portals, End pillars, bastions and woodland mansions.
- Generators: obsidian generators.
What is obsidian used for?
Nether portal frames (at least 10 blocks, 14 for a full frame), enchanting tables, ender chests and beacons, and blast-proof walls. See Nether portals and beacons.
What is crying obsidian?
It drips purple particles and glows faintly. It comes from ruined portals, where each obsidian block has a 15% chance to be crying, and from piglin bartering, about 8.5% of trades for 1-3 blocks, its only renewable source. It has the same 1,200 blast resistance but cannot frame a Nether portal. Use 6 with 3 glowstone to craft a respawn anchor; see respawn anchors.
Obsidian tips
Use a bucket of water on a lava pool's edge to make obsidian quickly, but leave the lava below you alone. Obsidian cannot be pushed by pistons, and the ender dragon cannot destroy it. Efficiency V and Haste make mining it much faster; see mining speed.
Frequently asked questions
What pickaxe mines obsidian?
Diamond or netherite.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.