Artem "Artem" Noiman If you are just starting to master the basics of survival in Minecraft, learning how to light a campfire is one of the most important skills that will come in handy from the very first days. It serves more than just a decorative function, as inexperienced players might think.
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Campfire is both a light source and a great way to cook food and fend off enemies. In this article, we will discuss how to create it, what materials you need, and how to use it to its fullest potential.
What is it?
It is a special block that performs several functions at once: it lights up the area, helps cook food, serves as a signal fire, and even works in mechanisms and decoration. It does not require fuel, and its smoke can rise high into the sky, making it a useful landmark.
You can safely walk through a fire without taking damage, as long as you don't stand directly on it. However, it does deal damage to mobs and players if they stay on it for too long. Besides the standard campfire, there is also the soul campfire in the game – its flame is blue, it repels piglins, and it emits a slightly weaker light.
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A fire can be extinguished with water or a shovel, and then relit using flint and steel, lava, or fire arrows.
How to create?
Creating a campfire in Minecraft is easier than surviving your first night in a world full of creepers. You will need three logs, three sticks, and one piece of coal (or charcoal if mining isn’t your thing yet). The logs can be any type – spruce, birch, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect anything.
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The crafting process is simple: open your crafting table, place the logs in the bottom row, arrange the sticks in a triangle above, and place the coal proudly in the center. And there you go – you have a cozy light and heat source that doesn’t require fuel, won’t be extinguished by rain, and is always ready to crackle with warmth.
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If you happen to feel like a true caveman and want to spark a fire with your hands, sadly, Minecraft doesn’t allow you to strike sparks with sticks. So, it’s better to gather the necessary materials in advance and not hope for a miracle.
Main functions of the fire
The fire in Minecraft is not just a decoration, but a real all-in-one survival tool. Here are its superpowers:
It provides lighting and mob protection. It gives off light almost like a torch, so it helps keep zombies, skeletons, and other mobs away from your base. However, creepers will still happily pay you a visit, so don’t forget about fences.
A free kitchen. Cooking usually requires a furnace and fuel, but the campfire allows you to cook up to four pieces of meat at once without any coal. Just don’t get distracted, as cooked food falls to the ground and can be accidentally lost.
A signal fire. It releases a column of smoke that can be seen from a distance. If you place hay above it, the smoke will rise even higher – a perfect way to avoid getting lost or show your friends where your camp is.
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A mob trap. The campfire deals damage if you stand on it for too long. You can use this to trap mobs (or particularly annoying friends) in the fire to take damage without any effort on your part.
A decorative element. It looks great in medieval villages, campsites, or even fireplaces – simply extinguish it with a shovel, and you’ll get the perfect texture for a cozy hearth.
So, don’t underestimate this small but very useful block. It makes life in Minecraft not only easier but more atmospheric.
Extra features and life hacks
The campfire isn’t just a light source and cooking tool. It has some cool tricks that can make your gameplay more convenient and even fun.
A smoke beacon. An ordinary fire releases smoke, but if you place hay above it, it will rise up to 25 blocks high! This makes it a handy landmark, especially if you tend to get lost in forests or are traveling across plains.
A safe way to harvest honey. If you place a fire under a beehive, you can gather honey or honeycombs without risking getting attacked by a swarm of bees. The smoke calms the bees, and they won’t attack you. This works even with a campfire that is extinguished!
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An extinguished campfire – a cool decoration. If you hit a fire with a shovel (yes, this is normal in game), it will go out and become a great texture for sidewalks, fireplaces, or even minecart tracks. A great option for creative builders!
An automatic mob trap. It deals 1 damage per second, but it doesn’t destroy items. You can use this for traps – for example, trap mobs in an enclosure with a fire at the bottom, and they will slowly die, leaving their drops intact. This is especially useful for chicken or cow farms.
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An infinite campfire without accidental fires. Unlike lava and fire, the fire won’t set trees or buildings on fire. So, you can safely use it in wooden structures without worrying about starting a "fiery night in the village."
A fire that you can turn on and off. You can extinguish a fire with a shovel, water, or water bottle, and then relight it with flint, fire arrows, or lava. If you have a wooden house and you’re not sure about the design, this is a great way to control the situation.
What is the difference between a campfire and a soul campfire?
At first glance, the campfire and soul campfire might look similar, but there are a few important differences. First, the soul fire has a blue flame, unlike the regular orange one. This not only changes its visual appeal but also gives it additional properties. The soul variant emits slightly less light than the regular campfire, but its unique feature is that it repels piglins. This can be useful if you need to move around the Nether without attracting their attention.
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Additionally, the soul fire is not just a decorative object. It can also be used in mechanisms and with certain mobs. For example, it can be used to create trap systems where the blue flame is essential, or for creating various effects with other blocks and mechanisms.
When it comes to decoration, the regular is often preferable since it provides brighter light and is better suited for creating cozy camps or village fireplaces. Meanwhile, the soul campfire looks more mystical and is more appropriate for themes such as Nether structures or objects with a dark atmosphere.
How to effectively use a campfire in survival?
It can become your reliable companion if you approach its use wisely. So, how can you avoid losing all your dreams of a comfortable life in this harsh world?
For starters, placement of the campfire matters. Place it near your camp or in the center of your base – it will not only light up the area but also repel those annoying mobs. This is especially useful at night when zombies and skeletons try to sneak into your house through the window, and here – a bright fire. Of course, creepers might still think you deserve a good explosion, so maybe it’s a good idea to surround your campfire with a fence or wall.
Using the fire for cooking food is a real lifesaver when coal is running low, and you’re looking for wood. Just cook meat, fish, or potatoes right on the fire without any fuel, and the best part is you can cook up to four pieces of food at once. It’s like a barbecue, but without the hassle. Just don’t forget: if you don’t take the meat in time, it will burn, and all you’ll have left is regret for the lost time.
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If you have bees, the campfire will help you gather honey without fear of getting stung. Place it under the hive, and the bees will become so peaceful that you can collect honey without worrying about their aggression.
Additionally, it is great for decorative purposes. Want to create the atmosphere of a cozy campsite or country house? The campfire is your best friend. Not only will it provide light, but the crackling sound will add realism. Place a few fires around your buildings – and your world will feel just a little bit warmer.
And don’t forget about its defensive properties. It can become part of your mob trap. If you trap zombies or skeletons in a pit, they’ll take damage as long as they stand near the fire. Actually, this is a great idea for farms. Oh, and if you want to experiment a bit, try luring a friend into a campfire. Watch them jump around trying not to burn – it’s fun!
The campfire is not just a decorative element, but a versatile tool that helps with survival, illuminates the area, allows you to cook food, and serves as protection from mobs. Its functions significantly expand the player’s possibilities, especially if used wisely and creatively. Whether you’re building a cozy camp or setting up a trap for enemies, the fire will always guard your comfort and safety.
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