Minecraft: Everything You Need To Know About Soul Sand

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Back in the summer of 2020, we were given the 1.16 Minecraft update. This update overhauled the Nether, adding new biomes and blocks. With this update, we were given new ways to use and find soul sand. In this guide, we are going to go over everything you need to know about soul sand including characteristics, where to find it, and what to craft with it.

Soul Sand Characteristics

Soul sand is a unique block that affects movement. Soul sand will slow down both players and mobs when they walk over it. You will notice that your movement speed dramatically decreases when on soul sand — this is because you will sink into soul sand a little.

To combat this, you can enchant your boots with Soul Speed. This essentially lets you move fast while on soul sand. This enchantment isn't the most useful, but it is a bit rare. The Soul Speed enchantment can only be obtained from bartering with piglins or in bastion remnants.

When placed in water, soul sand will create a bubble column. The block will create bubbles that rise to the top. You can use soul sand to create water elevators to reach new heights.

In addition to affecting movement, soul sand is required to summon the Wither. You will need 4 blocks of soul sand and 3 wither skulls. Check out our full guide on how to defeat the Wither for more information.

Lastly, soul sand is the only block that nether wart can grow on. Nether wart is a material used in a variety of potions. To make almost every potion, you will need a base of an awkward potion, which is brewed with nether wart. It's very useful, so try to have a nether wart farm set up in your base.

Where to Find Soul Sand

Soul sand is found within the Soul Sand Valley biome in the Nether. The biome has a blue 'mist,' and a majority of the blocks will be either soul sand or soul soil. Soul Sand Valleys are uncommon, but not impossible to find. Bring tools, armor, food, and extra blocks when you set out to find this biome. When you are exploring the Nether, you will definitely know when you come across one. These biomes also have bone structures spread across the soul sand.

This is the best way to find soul sand, but you can also search below Y=34 in Nether Wastes. This biome is consists of large stretches of netherrack and lava seas. Nether Wastes are the most common biome you will encounter in the Nether. However, there is no guarantee that you will find soul sand while digging.

Overall, you'll want to search for a Soul Sand Valley for a practically infinite supply of soul sand.

Soul Sand vs. Soul Soil

Once you get to a Soul Sand Valley, you may notice two different types of soul blocks. Soul soil has a smooth appearance and does not cause slowing, while soul sand appears to have faces on the surface. Additionally, soul soil does not create a pillar of bubbles while underwater. Fortunately, both of these blocks can craft the same items.

How To Mine Soul Sand

You can mine soul sand with any tool, but a shovel will be the quickest method. When using a shovel, soul sand will mine almost instantly. Although you can mine really quickly, remember to always be cautious when mining in the Nether — there may be lava hidden anywhere. Lava moves faster in the Nether, and you don't want to die during your mining excursion.

What To Craft With Soul Sand

Soul sand can be used to craft a variety of items. All of these items can be crafted with soul soil as well. Let's go over the craftable items and the materials needed:

Soul Torch	1 stick 1 soul sand 1 coal
Soul Campfire	1 soul torch 8 iron nuggets
Soul Lantern	3 logs 1 soul sand 3 sticks

These items function a little differently than their normal counterparts. The flame/light that comes from these three items is blue. In the image above, you can see the lantern, campfire, and torch with blue flames.

Blue flames are not as luminant as normal fire, but they will repel piglins. This Nether mob tends to stay away from any blue flame, so placing soul torches, soul campfires, and soul lanterns around a Nether base is a great way to keep piglins away. Additionally, using flint and steel on soul sand or soul soil will create blue fire.

Overall, these crafted items may not be super helpful, but they look amazing. Adding soul lanterns to any build will give it a unique touch. If you want a Nether-themed base, then these items will definitely come in handy.

Now, you should know all about soul sand! After your find the Soul Sand Valley and collect the soul sand, head on over to our guide on how to ride a Strider to explore the rest of the Nether.

Next: Minecraft: Everything You Need To Know About Deepslate Blocks

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