Basics of survival in Minecraft: Building a campfire in the game

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

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A campfire in Minecraft is not only a light source but also an excellent tool for cooking food and repelling enemies. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to create a campfire, the materials you'll need, and how to maximize its utility.

Table of Content ---

• 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 in Minecraft is a versatile block that serves multiple purposes: it illuminates the area, cooks food, acts as a signal fire, and can be used in mechanisms and for decoration. Unlike other fire sources, it doesn't require fuel, and its smoke can rise high into the sky, making it an excellent landmark.

You can walk through a campfire without taking damage, provided you don't stand directly on it. However, it will damage mobs and players if they remain on it for too long. In addition to the standard campfire, Minecraft also features 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 then relight it using flint and steel, lava, or fire arrows.

How to create?

Crafting a campfire in Minecraft is straightforward. You'll need three logs of any type (spruce, birch, etc.), three sticks, and one piece of coal or charcoal. To craft, open your crafting table, place the logs in the bottom row, arrange the sticks in a triangle above them, and put the coal in the center. Voila! You now have a cozy, fuel-free light and heat source that won't be extinguished by rain.

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Unfortunately, Minecraft doesn't allow you to start a fire by rubbing sticks together, so make sure to gather the necessary materials beforehand.

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Main functions of the fire

A campfire in Minecraft is a vital survival tool, not just a decorative element. Here are its key functions:

• Lighting and Mob Protection: It emits light almost as well as a torch, helping to keep zombies, skeletons, and other mobs at bay. However, creepers are still a threat, so consider adding fences for extra security.
• Free Kitchen: Unlike a furnace, a campfire allows you to cook up to four pieces of meat simultaneously without using coal. Just be vigilant, as cooked food drops to the ground and can be lost if not collected promptly.
• Signal Fire: The smoke from a campfire can be seen from a distance, especially if you place hay above it to make the smoke rise higher. This is perfect for navigation or signaling your camp's location to friends.
• Mob Trap: Campfires deal damage to mobs standing on them, making them useful for setting up traps without any additional effort.
• Decorative Element: Campfires enhance the aesthetic appeal of medieval villages, campsites, or fireplaces. You can extinguish them with a shovel to create a textured hearth for a cozy atmosphere.

Don't underestimate this small but versatile block—it makes life in Minecraft easier and more immersive.

Extra features and life hacks

Beyond its basic functions, the campfire offers several clever tricks that can enhance your gameplay:

• Smoke Beacon: Adding hay above a campfire makes the smoke rise up to 25 blocks high, serving as an excellent landmark in vast landscapes.
• Safe Honey Harvesting: Placing a campfire under a beehive calms the bees, allowing you to gather honey or honeycombs without getting stung. This works even with an extinguished campfire.
• Decorative Extinguished Campfire: Hitting a campfire with a shovel extinguishes it, leaving a textured block perfect for sidewalks, fireplaces, or minecart tracks.
• Automatic Mob Trap: Since campfires deal 1 damage per second without destroying items, you can use them in mob traps, particularly useful for chicken or cow farms.
• Safe for Wooden Structures: Unlike lava or fire, campfires won't set trees or buildings ablaze, making them safe to use in wooden structures.
• Controllable Fire: You can extinguish and relight campfires using a shovel, water, or flint and steel, offering control over your environment.

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

While campfires and soul campfires share similarities, there are key differences. The soul campfire has a distinctive blue flame, emits less light, and repels piglins, making it useful in the Nether. It's also valuable in mechanisms and trap systems due to its unique properties.

For decoration, regular campfires are preferred for their brighter light and cozy ambiance, while soul campfires lend a mystical touch, fitting well in Nether-themed builds or darker settings.

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How to effectively use a campfire in survival?

To make the most of your campfire in Minecraft survival, consider these tips:

• Strategic Placement: Position your campfire near your camp or base center to provide light and repel mobs. Adding a fence or wall can deter creepers.
• Cooking: Use the campfire to cook food when coal is scarce. It can cook up to four pieces of food at once, but remember to collect the cooked items quickly to avoid losing them.
• Honey Harvesting: Place a campfire under beehives to safely gather honey without agitating the bees.
• Decoration: Enhance your camp or village with campfires for a cozy atmosphere. The crackling sound adds realism to your world.
• Defense: Utilize campfires in mob traps to damage zombies or skeletons. This can be particularly effective in farming setups.

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In summary, the campfire is a multifaceted tool in Minecraft, essential for survival, illumination, cooking, and protection from mobs. Its diverse functions significantly enhance your gameplay, making it indispensable whether you're setting up a cozy camp or devising clever traps.