What Does a Lightning Rod Do in Minecraft

A lightning rod is a new block in Minecraft 1.17 update that has a unique function, to attract lightning strikes in nearby areas. Despite the fact this block has its own important feature, many Minecraft builders only use lightning rods for building purposes. So in this article, let’s see what a lightning rod does in Minecraft.

Two features of a Lightning Rod in Minecraft

A lightning rod can be crafted with 3 copper ingots, which can be obtained by mining underground for copper ores. This is why you can use a lot of lightning rods because it’s actually cheap.

Let’s see what can a lightning rod do in Minecraft!

#1 Redirect lightning strikes

Whenever lightning is about to happen in 128 blocks (64 blocks in Bedrock Edition) around the lightning rod, the lightning strike will be redirected to the rod instead of a random block. This is incredibly useful if your house is fully made of flammable blocks like wood.

Lightning strikes come from throwing a trident with channeling enchantment is also affected by the lightning rod. But if you throw at an entity instead of a block, the lightning strike will strike at the entity rather than the lightning rod. So be careful!

#2 Building

Another usage of the lightning rod is for building purposes. As it has a copper texture and can be placed in any direction, the lightning rod is extremely flexible to build with. Especially for industrial and steampunk styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a skeleton horse with a lightning rod?

No, you can’t make a skeleton horse with a lightning rod! You need to wait for the lightning strike to hit somewhere else to summon the skeleton trap horses.

Will lightning rods set the wood on fire?

No, lightning rods won’t set the wood on fire. That’s why it’s super useful when it comes to wooden buildings in Minecraft.

Can I put lightning rods on wood Minecraft?

Yes, you can put lightning rods on any block and direction. This includes wood, slab, stairs, and more!