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Learn how to get and use the Observer block in Observer. We'll cover crafting, behavior, and how it interacts with redstone for your Observer playthrough.

Hey there! So you're looking into the Observer block, huh? It's a pretty neat little gadget that can really spice up your redstone contraptions. Let's break down how to get it and what it does. ## Obtaining the Observer ### Breaking It First off, you can't just punch this thing out of the ground. You'll need a [pickaxe](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Pickaxe "Pickaxe") to mine an Observer. If you try without one, you'll get nothing, which is a bummer. It's got a hardness of 3, so it's not too tough, but it'll take a bit longer to break with weaker pickaxes. For example, a wooden pickaxe takes 2.25 seconds, while a diamond one gets it done in 0.6 seconds. ### Crafting It If you'd rather build one, you'll need some basic materials: * 3 [Cobblestone](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Cobblestone "Cobblestone") * 2 [Redstone Dust](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Redstone_Dust "Redstone Dust") * 1 [Nether Quartz](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Nether_Quartz "Nether Quartz") Just pop these into a crafting table in the right pattern, and you'll have your Observer ready to go. ## Using the Observer This is where things get interesting. An Observer is basically a block that watches the space directly in front of its 'face'. When something changes there – like a block being placed, broken, or even just changing its state (like a crop growing) – the Observer sends out a quick [redstone pulse](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Redstone_Dust "Redstone Dust") from its back. ### Behavior Details * Java Edition: Observers here are pretty precise. They detect changes in a block's *states*. This means they can notice subtle changes, like a crop growing older, which might not trigger a full block update. * Bedrock Edition: In Bedrock, the Observer acts more like a general block update detector. It notices anything that causes a block to update. Because of these differences, sometimes an Observer in one version might detect something that one in the other won't. It's good to keep that in mind! When it detects a change, it sends out a strong redstone signal (power level 15) for 2 game ticks (which is 1 redstone tick). This pulse is enough to power nearby redstone dust, comparators, repeaters, or other redstone components. A Little Bug Note: In Bedrock Edition, there's a known bug (MCPE-15793) that can sometimes cause the redstone pulse timing to be a bit off when the Observer is triggered by world changes. There's another bug (MCPE-73342) that can also affect timing. Flying Machines: Observers are also key for [flying machines](https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Tutorials/Flying_machines "Tutorials/Flying machines"). When an Observer is moved by a piston, it emits a pulse *after* being moved. This little quirk is what makes them work in those contraptions. Light and Spawning: Observers act like solid blocks in some ways – they block light and allow mobs to spawn on top of them. However, they don't block things like opening chests placed below them, and they don't interfere with redstone signals running underneath. Observer Clocks: Want a super compact redstone clock? Try placing two Observers facing each other. They'll constantly detect each other's updates, creating a rapid pulse loop. Just be careful, as these can be quite fast! That's the gist of the Observer! It's a powerful tool for detecting changes and automating your builds. Happy building!