If you're just starting to master the basics of survival in Minecraft, learning how to light a campfire is one of the most essential skills you'll need from the very beginning. Far from being just a decorative feature, as some might assume, a campfire is a crucial survival tool.

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A campfire in Minecraft serves as both a light source and an effective way to cook food while also keeping enemies at bay. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of creating one, the materials you'll need, and how to maximize its potential in your gameplay.

Table of Contents

• What is it?
• How to create?
• Main functions of the fire
• Extra features and life hacks
• What is the difference between a campfire and a soul campfire?
• How to effectively use a campfire in survival?

What is it?

A campfire is a versatile block that fulfills multiple roles: it illuminates the area, cooks food, acts as a signal fire, and can be used in mechanisms and for decoration. It doesn't require fuel, and its smoke can rise high, making it an excellent landmark.

You can walk through a campfire without taking damage as long as you're not standing directly on it. However, it does cause damage to mobs and players who linger too long on it. Besides the standard campfire, there's also the soul campfire, which has a blue flame, repels piglins, and emits slightly less light.

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You can extinguish a campfire with water or a shovel and relight it using flint and steel, lava, or fire arrows.

How to create?

Creating a campfire in Minecraft is simpler than surviving your first night amidst creepers. You'll need three logs, three sticks, and one piece of coal or charcoal. The type of log doesn't matter—spruce, birch, or any other will do.

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The crafting process is straightforward: open your crafting table, place the logs in the bottom row, arrange the sticks in a triangle above, and position the coal in the center. Voila! You now have a cozy, fuel-free source of light and heat that won't be extinguished by rain.

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Unfortunately, Minecraft doesn't let you start fires by rubbing sticks together, so it's best to gather the necessary materials in advance.

Main functions of the fire

The campfire in Minecraft is much more than just a decoration; it's an all-in-one survival tool. Here are its key functions:

• Lighting and Mob Protection: It emits light similar to a torch, helping to keep zombies, skeletons, and other mobs away from your base. However, creepers can still approach, so consider adding fences.

• Cooking: Unlike a furnace, a campfire allows you to cook up to four pieces of meat simultaneously without using coal. Be vigilant, as cooked food drops to the ground and can be lost.

• Signal Fire: Its smoke column is visible from a distance. Placing hay above it makes the smoke rise even higher, helping you avoid getting lost or signaling your camp's location to friends.

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• Mob Trap: Standing on a campfire causes damage over time. Use this to trap mobs or, playfully, your friends.

• Decoration: It adds charm to medieval villages, campsites, or fireplaces. Extinguish it with a shovel for a perfect hearth texture.

Don't underestimate this small but mighty block; it enhances your Minecraft experience, making it both easier and more atmospheric.

Extra features and life hacks

Beyond lighting and cooking, the campfire offers several useful tricks to enhance your gameplay:

• Smoke Beacon: With hay placed above it, the smoke can rise up to 25 blocks, serving as an excellent landmark.

• Safe Honey Harvesting: Positioning a campfire under a beehive calms the bees, allowing you to collect honey or honeycombs without getting stung. This works even with an extinguished campfire.

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• Decorative Uses: Hitting a campfire with a shovel extinguishes it, turning it into a great texture for sidewalks, fireplaces, or minecart tracks.

• Automatic Mob Trap: It deals 1 damage per second without destroying items, making it ideal for mob farms, especially for chickens or cows.

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• Safe Fire: Unlike lava or fire, a campfire won't ignite trees or buildings, making it safe for wooden structures.

• Controllable Fire: You can extinguish it with a shovel, water, or a water bottle and relight it with flint, fire arrows, or lava, offering control over its use.

What is the difference between a campfire and a soul campfire?

While they may look similar, the soul campfire has distinct features. It has a blue flame, emits slightly less light, and repels piglins, making it useful in the Nether. It's also valuable in mechanisms and with certain mobs, such as in trap systems.

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For decoration, the regular campfire is often preferred for its brighter light and cozy ambiance, while the soul campfire adds a mystical touch, fitting for Nether structures or darker themes.

How to effectively use a campfire in survival?

To make the most of a campfire in survival mode, consider these tips:

• Placement: Position it near your camp or base center to light up the area and deter mobs. Surround it with a fence or wall to keep creepers at bay.

• Cooking: Use it to cook food when coal is scarce. It can handle up to four pieces at once, but be quick to collect the cooked items to avoid losing them.

• Honey Collection: Place it under a beehive to safely gather honey without bee aggression.

• Decoration: Use it to create a cozy campsite or country house atmosphere. The crackling sound adds realism and warmth to your world.

• Defense: Incorporate it into mob traps. Trapped mobs will take damage over time, making it useful for farms.

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The campfire is not just a decorative element but a versatile tool that enhances survival, illuminates your surroundings, cooks food, and protects against mobs. Its functions significantly expand your gameplay possibilities, especially when used creatively and strategically. Whether you're setting up a cozy camp or a trap for enemies, the campfire will always be a guardian of your comfort and safety.