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.
Dispensers and TNT
A dispenser holding TNT does not shoot the block: it spawns lit TNT in the space in front of it, with a small upward push and a small random sideways push. Dispensers can also light a TNT block in front of them using flint and steel. That makes them common in factions cannons wherever TNT duplication is not allowed.
What does a dispenser do with TNT?
| Item in the dispenser | What happens (minecraft.wiki) |
|---|---|
| TNT | Spawns a primed TNT entity in the block it faces, with upward motion and a small random horizontal push |
| Flint and steel | Lights a TNT block it faces (or places fire in an empty space above a block) |
| Fire charge | Fired as a small fireball projectile |
| Minecart with TNT | Placed onto a rail in front |
The random push is the same 'prime motion' as any lit TNT, so dispenser TNT is usually lined up against a block before firing. See how TNT works.
Why do factions cannons use dispensers?
minecraft.wiki's automatic cannon page calls dispenser cannons the alternative to duper cannons wherever duping is not allowed, and notes factions cannons commonly also use hand-loaded sand, while some servers ban dispensers too. Servers often add a command that fills every dispenser in range from a faction TNT bank; see TNT bank and dispenser filling.
How tough are dispensers?
A dispenser has a blast resistance of 3.5, much weaker than stone (6), so a cannon's dispensers need protecting, usually with water and the cannon's own walls. See blast resistance.
How are dispenser cannons wired?
Each dispenser fires once per redstone pulse, so cannons use repeaters for timing and observers or block update detectors to chain stages. A CosmicPE raiding guide describes a factions cannon built from symmetrical booster and power modules full of dispensers, plus a 'nuker' module using dispensers and sticky pistons. Wiring basics: cannon redstone and redstone basics.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dispenser shoot TNT?
No, it spawns lit TNT in the block in front of it, with a small upward and random push.
Can a dispenser light TNT?
Yes, with flint and steel inside, it lights a TNT block it faces.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.