Nether Reactor Core

This article describes content that has been officially made unobtainable.

It can still be obtained using third-party software. However, this can cause unexpected behavior such as bugs and crashes.

This feature is exclusive to Bedrock Edition and Pi Edition.

The nether reactor core is an unused block that cannot be obtained with the use of commands.

Obtaining

Nether reactor cores are currently unobtainable in new worlds except through inventory editing or add-ons. It is not available through commands or Creative. The block is, however, still usable for decoration in older worlds that had the block prior to it becoming unobtainable. In Survival Mode, new Nether Reactor Core cannot be crafted, including in worlds with the block, so once placed, the block would be lost if broken. In Creative Mode it is still possible to use Pick Block on existing Nether Reactor Cores to get the block into the inventory.

Breaking

Mining a nether reactor core using a pickaxe enchanted with Silk Touch yields the same drop as an unenchanted pickaxe. They drop 3 diamonds and 6 iron ingots.

Block	Nether Reactor Core
Hardness	3
Tool
Breaking time^[A]
Default	4.5
Wooden	2.25
Stone	1.15
Iron	0.75
Diamond	0.6
Netherite	0.5
Golden	0.4

↑ Times are for unenchanted tools as wielded by players with no status effects, measured in seconds. For more information, see Breaking § Speed.

Usage

Prior update 0.12.0 when Mojang added the nether dimension, the nether reactor core served as a placeholder to obtain nether-exclusive items like glowstone and nether quartz while the nether is yet to be implemented. It is activated by placing and tapping the nether core in a specific pattern using gold blocks and cobblestone.

Even though the nether core is removed after 0.12.0, it doesn't get removed in old worlds. Players can break the nether core to get back the diamonds and iron ingots that was used to craft it. It is treated as a novelty item by veteran minecraft players.

Sounds

Source	Description	Resource location	Volume	Pitch
Blocks	Once the block has broken	`dig.stone`	1.0	1.1-1.2
Blocks	When the block is placed	`use.stone`	1.0	1.2-1.25
Blocks	While the block is in the process of being broken	`hit.stone`	0.3	0.75
Players	Falling on the block with fall damage	`fall.stone`	0.4	1.0
Players	Walking on the block	`step.stone`	0.35	1.0
Players	Jumping from the block	`jump.stone`	0.12	1.0
Players	Falling on the block without fall damage	`land.stone`	0.22	1.0

Data values

ID

Name	Identifier	Numeric ID	Form	Item ID^{[i 1]}	Translation key
Nether Reactor Core	`netherreactor`	`247`	Block & Ungiveable Item^{[i 2]}	Identical^{[i 3]}	`tile.netherreactor.name`

↑ ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
↑ Unavailable with /give command
↑ The block's direct item form has the same id as the block.

Name	Savegame ID
Block entity	`NetherReactor`

Block data

See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

History

Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.5.0		Added nether reactor cores.
		Nether reactor cores could be crafted with the following recipe:
		Nether reactor cores could be used to create Nether reactors, which would generate a square tower made of obsidian centered on the reactor, known as the Nether Spire.
v0.6.0		The Nether Spire is now made out of netherrack.
v0.12.1	build 1	Nether reactor cores no longer have a function due to the addition of the Nether.
		Nether reactor cores now drop 6 iron ingots and 3 diamonds.
		Nether reactor cores have been removed from creative inventory.
		Nether reactor cores no longer make Nether reactors.
		Nether reactor cores can no longer be crafted.
v0.15.0	build 1	The default textures of nether reactor cores have been switched with the one in the plastic texture pack. This is confirmed to be a bug that would not be fixed. ^[1] As a result, if the player uses the plastic texture pack, the nether reactor cores will have their normal texture.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0		Added nether reactor cores, which are unused.
Pi Edition
0.1		Added nether reactor cores, which are unused.
0.1.1		The active texture has been changed to match Pocket Edition.