South-east rule

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The south-east rule, also known as the Z-X rule, is an unintentional mechanic in Minecraft wherein various effects occur based on the cardinal directions, specifically in a south-east variant.

Effects

The following list contains effects that happen in Minecraft, relating to the south, east, or south-east cardinal directions, including:

• Rails curve south or east when they are initially placed at a "T" intersection or a "+" intersection. They also curve away from the south or east when powered.
  • An exception to this is if there is an intersection on a downhill rail track, the minecart continues on the downhill track, even if the south-east rule applies. (see Rail#Downhill rule)
• Any mobs that are spawned by spawn eggs, /summon, monster spawners, the player, or by breeding, always appear to be facing the southern direction initially.
• TNT cannons tend to fire farther when facing east or south.
• Many bugs cause problems relating to south and east, such as villagers trying to cram into the house that is mostly in the southern-eastern area of the village.
• When the player is exactly inside the middle of a block, they are pushed out of the block north-east.
• 2×2 trees are unable to grow, if north, west or northwest diagonal block is occupied up to the final height of the tree.
• When the player first spawns into the world, they spawn facing south.

Model/Texture orientation

Blocks can be split into 3 categories based on the model behavior.

• Always the same way (only has 1 orientation, no other facing version exists); for example, cobblestone, planks, bookshelf, obsidian, ores, etc.
• The texture orientation is based on the location of the block, not dependent on the placing direction (dirt, grass blocks)
• Based on the mode of placing, it uses a certain predictable orientation/block state (glazed terracotta, furnace, piston, logs)

History

See also

• Coordinates
• Compass
• Debug screen