What Blocks Can Endermen Not Pick Up

What Blocks Can Endermen NOT Pick Up? A Comprehensive Guide

Endermen, those mysterious, teleporting mobs from Minecraft, are known for their ability to pick up and place blocks. This unique ability adds a thrilling element to the game, but also leaves players wondering: what are the limits to an Enderman's block-lifting powers? This guide will delve into the specifics, covering which blocks endermen can't pick up and explaining the underlying mechanics. Understanding this can significantly impact your survival strategies and base building.

Understanding Enderman Block Picking Mechanics

Before we dive into the list, it's important to understand how endermen pick up blocks. They aren't simply grabbing any block; they need a solid, non-transparent block that can exist independently within the world. This immediately rules out many things. The selection process itself is also random, with no specific targeting mechanism beyond the block's material properties.

The Blocks Endermen Refuse to Carry

While endermen are capable of moving a surprising array of blocks, there are several categories and specific examples they stubbornly refuse to touch:

Blocks Related to Structures and Generated Features

• Spawners: These crucial blocks, responsible for generating mobs, are thankfully immune to an Enderman's thievery. This protects your carefully planned mob farms from sudden relocation.
• Chests and their contents: While endermen can place chests (and often do, to the dismay of unprepared players), they cannot pick them up, preventing a chaotic reshuffling of your valuable loot.
• Beds: These essential survival items are safe from the grasp of Endermen, thankfully. You can rest easy (pun intended) knowing your bed is securely anchored to the ground.
• Specific types of naturally generated structures: Endermen will typically ignore the blocks that make up complex structures like Nether fortresses or ocean monuments. This is likely due to the extensive block placement algorithms involved in creating these features.

Blocks with Unique Properties

• Obsidian: This incredibly strong block is essential for building Nether portals and resisting explosions. Fortunately, it's immune to Enderman shenanigans.
• Bedrock: The unbreakable foundation of the Minecraft world remains untouched by these shadowy entities.
• End Portal Frames: These crucial components for accessing the End dimension remain undisturbed, preventing accidental portal relocation.
• Anvils: These blocks, used for repairing and renaming items, are far too heavy for even an Enderman to lift.
• Brewing Stands: These are essential for potion brewing, and thankfully, they're safe from Enderman thievery.

Blocks Requiring Special Interactions

• Blocks requiring Redstone interactions: Endermen don't seem to interact with redstone circuits or devices like levers, pressure plates, and redstone torches. They are unable to pick up anything that is somehow part of a working redstone circuit.
• Non-solid blocks: Things like water, lava, and air are obviously out of the question. Endermen deal with solid blocks only.

Practical Implications for Players

Understanding which blocks endermen can't pick up is crucial for strategic base building. Building with obsidian, bedrock, or utilizing the aforementioned blocks provides a powerful defense against these troublesome mobs. This knowledge, combined with understanding their behavior and movement patterns, will dramatically enhance your Minecraft survival experience.

Conclusion

While endermen's block-lifting abilities add a dynamic element to Minecraft, understanding their limitations is key to surviving and thriving in the game's challenging environments. By strategically utilizing the blocks they cannot pick up, you can significantly improve your base defenses and protect your valuable resources. Happy building!