TL;DR: Crying Obsidian leaks purple particles. Found in Ruined Portals, Bastion Remnants, and Piglin barters. Cannot replace regular obsidian in a portal frame. Six pieces craft a Respawn Anchor — the only legitimate way to set spawn in the Nether.
What it does
Visually weirdest block in the game — slightly translucent obsidian with purple tint, constantly drips downward purple particles.
Mechanically almost identical to regular obsidian (same blast resistance 1200, same hardness, same diamond+ pickaxe). Cannot light a portal — the most common myth-confusion. Crying Obsidian must NOT replace any portal frame block.
What it CAN do: 6 Crying Obsidian + 3 Glowstone in smithing-table-shape pattern → 1 Respawn Anchor. Charge with up to 4 Glowstone blocks (16 dust total). Each charge = one respawn.
How to get it
Piglin barter. Trade gold ingots, ~4.6% chance per ingot to receive 1-3 Crying Obsidian. Most consistent source if you have a Piglin trading farm. ~20 ingots reliably yields enough for one Respawn Anchor.
Ruined Portals. Both Nether and Overworld. Larger portals can have 4-8 blocks. Mines fast with diamond pickaxe.
Bastion Remnants. Some variants, particularly Treasure Room. Risky.
Diamond or netherite pickaxe required to drop the block. No way to "farm" it via lava + water.
Best uses
Respawn Anchors. The use that justifies the block. Place on obsidian platform with one-block roof above (prevents Endermen + Ghast fireballs). Charge with 4 Glowstone blocks for full capacity. Right-click each visit to set spawn. Each death uses one charge. Anchor explodes if used at zero charges — always check.
Decorative lighting. Small light emission (level 10). Place near Soul Sand for contrasting purple-and-blue particle effect.
Statement blocks. One or two pieces in entryway draws the eye. Overuse kills the effect.
Trap material. Same blast resistance as obsidian — works in PvP arenas.
Lore color
The only block in the game that expresses something. Glowstone glows. Soul Sand has faces. Crying Obsidian actively grieves — every second, particles fall, never stop. No in-game text explains why. Mojang let it stand as the most emotionally loaded texture they've ever shipped.
Common mistakes
- Trying to replace obsidian with Crying Obsidian in a portal frame (doesn't ignite)
- Placing Respawn Anchor in Overworld or End (explodes like a bed)
- Mining without diamond pickaxe (no drop)
- Charging Anchor with Glowstone Dust instead of Glowstone blocks
- Forgetting Anchor depletes with use — always recharge before dangerous trips
Related
Glowstone · Ancient Debris · Soul Sand
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