Houdini Block

This mod adds a new block which makes it possible to do things that could previously only be done with a tool like the debug stick or commands.

The inspiration for Houdini Block comes from builders who find novel ways to use the different blockstates of various blocks (such as fences which appear connected, even when they shouldn’t), as well as videos of so-called “Minecraft Dominoes”, where builders exploited bugs in older versions of the game to create floating blocks like sand, gravel, and concrete powder, then triggered a cascade where the blocks fall in sequence like dominoes.

Placement modes

• Prevent on break (default): prevent updates to neighboring blocks when the Houdini block is broken
• Prevent on place: prevent updates to neighboring blocks when the Houdini block is placed
• Prevent all: prevent updates when the Houdini block is placed and broken
• Replace block: similar to “Prevent all”, except the Houdini block replaces the targeted block instead of being placed next to the targeted face

Note: Shift + right-click in the air to cycle between the modes

Recipe

Supported versions

• 1.21.4: planned
• 1.21.1-1.21.3: not planned
• 1.21-1.21.1: supported
• < 1.21: not planned

FAQ

What’s with the name and lame texture?

Well, it’s a magical block that’s basically the inverse of a redstone block. One tells other blocks “do a thing”, and the other says “don’t do anything”.

This seems like a bad idea. Won’t this be super easy to exploit and make (insert difficult/fun thing here) boring and trivial?

Maybe, but you could say that about a lot of mods. The intent here is not necessarily to create an “easy button”, but rather to provide a way for builders to do things that might normally be achievable only in creative with something like the debug stick. You also don’t have to use the Houdini block for absolutely everything; it’s up to you how much you want to let a tool like this into your game play. I recognize that this mod won’t fit everyone’s personal play style, and that’s fine! The ability to make those kind of choices for yourself is one of the best things about this game.

License

This mod is released under the MIT license. The full text of the license can be found here.

Support

Have questions? Want to see what else I am working on? Check out our Discord server!