Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, community sites named in the text and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Arrow Launchers and Sand Cannons
Cannons do not only throw TNT. An arrow launcher speeds arrows up with TNT; arrows deal more damage the faster they fly, so TNT-boosted arrows can kill many targets outright unless a totem saves them. Sand cannons throw sand or other falling blocks, which fly like TNT, mostly to clear water or build towers.
How does an arrow launcher work?
minecraft.wiki's cannon guide explains that faster arrows hit harder, so arrows sped up by TNT can be lethal to targets without a totem of undying. Arrows fired from dispensers scatter randomly, so an arrow launcher does not need precise aim and can hit several targets with one shot.
How does a sand cannon work?
Sand and other falling blocks fly the same way as TNT, apart from TNT only flying for under 4 seconds before it explodes. When several falling blocks are pushed downward together, they can form a tower up to the height of their speed, rounded up. Those towers are usually used to remove water, and could be used to build structures at range. Falling blocks can also be stored while inside moving pistons.
Can falling blocks hurt players?
Some can. Anvils and pointed dripstone damage what they land on: minecraft.wiki's falling block page says anvils deal 2 damage per block fallen after the first, and the cannon guide notes hitting a moving player with them is hard. Falling blocks only hurt on landing, not when they pass through someone in mid-air.
Where are these used?
- Sand towers for removing water, as minecraft.wiki describes; on factions walls this idea leads to hybrid cannons and sand stacking.
- Arrow launchers against players or mobs in cannon fights.
- Anvil drops as traps.
Falling block rules: falling blocks. Bow and arrow damage in normal PvP: bow PvP.
Frequently asked questions
Why are TNT arrow launchers so deadly?
Arrows deal more damage the faster they fly, and TNT can make them very fast.
What is a sand cannon for?
Mostly for clearing water or building towers at range, since falling sand flies like TNT and ignores water.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.