Soul Torch — Minecraft block

Soul Torch

Soul Torch is a turquoise-flamed light source (light level 10) that repels piglins and is crafted from coal, a stick, and soul soil or soul sand.

Block ID minecraft:soul_torch
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

Soul Torch is the blue-flamed variant of the standard torch, added in Minecraft 1.16 (Nether Update). Players craft four Soul Torches at once by combining one coal or charcoal, one stick, and one block of soul soil or soul sand on the crafting grid. Soul Torch never generates as a placed block in the world; the only natural source is chest loot in ancient cities, where a single chest holds 1–15 soul torches. Unlike the regular torch's light level of 14, Soul Torch emits a dimmer light level of 10, so it covers a slightly smaller area and stops hostile mob spawns within a tighter radius.

The defining feature of Soul Torch is that it repels piglins: idle piglins back away from a placed Soul Torch, making it a cheap, fuel-free deterrent for Nether bases — though piglin brutes ignore the blue flame entirely, and regular piglins forget their fear while chasing a player. Soul Torch can be combined with eight iron nuggets to craft a Soul Lantern, the hanging version of the same blue flame. Builders favor Soul Torch for eerie, ghostly lighting in soul sand valleys, crypts, and Halloween-themed builds where a cold teal glow beats the warm orange of a normal torch.

Block properties

Item ID minecraft:soul_torch
/give command /give @p minecraft:soul_torch
Stackable Yes (64)
Renewable Yes
Light level 10
Java Edition 1.16
Bedrock Edition 1.16.0

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to craft and use a Soul Torch in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Gather the ingredients

    Collect one coal or charcoal, one stick, and one block of soul soil or soul sand from the Nether.

  2. 2

    Craft four Soul Torches

    Place the coal on top, the stick in the middle, and the soul soil or soul sand at the bottom of the crafting grid to produce four Soul Torches.

  3. 3

    Place the Soul Torch

    Set the Soul Torch on the floor or a wall; its turquoise flame lights the area at light level 10.

  4. 4

    Repel piglins

    Position Soul Torches around a Nether base so piglins keep their distance from the blue flame.

Light level difference

Soul Torch gives light level 10, lower than the regular torch's 14, so place them closer together to fully block hostile mob spawns.

How to craft this block

Ingredients: Coal Coal x1 Stick Stick x1 Soul Sand Soul Sand x1
Crafting
Coal
Stick
Soul Sand
Soul Torch
4
Soul Torch

Used in crafts

Related blocks

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a Soul Torch?

Combine one coal or charcoal, one stick, and one soul soil or soul sand block in the crafting grid to get four Soul Torches.

Why do piglins avoid Soul Torches?

Idle piglins back away from a placed Soul Torch, just as they do from soul lanterns and soul campfires; piglin brutes are not scared at all, and a piglin chasing a player ignores the blue flame.

What light level does a Soul Torch emit?

Soul Torch emits light level 10, compared with light level 14 from a normal torch.

When was the Soul Torch added to Minecraft?

Soul Torch was added in Minecraft 1.16, the Nether Update, alongside soul soil and soul fire.

Can you make a Soul Lantern from a Soul Torch?

Yes. Surround one Soul Torch with eight iron nuggets on the crafting grid to craft one Soul Lantern.

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