You’ve probably seen those fancy archery ranges in Minecraft videos and wondered how the heck people get those redstone lamps to light up exactly when an arrow hits the bullseye. It’s not magic. It’s the target block. Honestly, it’s one of those blocks that most players ignore until they realize just how much easier it makes redstone wiring.
Learning how to make a target block in Minecraft is a total game-changer for anyone tired of bulky, ugly pressure plate setups. This block does more than just look like a hay bale with a paint job. It’s a literal signal conductor. If you’ve ever tried to build a secret door that opens when you shoot a specific spot on a wall, you need this.
What You Need to Craft a Target Block
Let's talk ingredients. You aren't going to need anything crazy like Nether Stars or Dragon Eggs. It’s actually pretty cheap once you have a basic farm going. You need exactly one hay bale and four piles of redstone dust.
To get the hay bale, grab nine wheat. Stick them in every slot of your crafting table. Done. For the redstone, just head down to the deepslate layers—usually around Y-level -58—and mine some ore.
The Recipe Setup
Open your crafting table. Put the hay bale right in the center slot. Now, take your four pieces of redstone dust and place them in the slots directly above, below, to the left, and to the right of the hay. It should look like a cross or a plus sign. If you’ve done it right, that target block pops up in the output slot. Grab it.
The cool thing is that this works on every version. Java Edition? Yep. Bedrock? Absolutely. Even if you’re playing on a console or mobile, the recipe is identical.
Why the Target Block is Secretly Overpowered
Most people think it’s just for practice. They set it up, shoot a few arrows, and call it a day. That's a waste.
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The target block has a unique property: it redirects redstone wire. Usually, redstone dust likes to travel in a straight line or connect to adjacent blocks. If you place a target block next to a line of redstone, that line will automatically "bend" to point directly into the target. This saves a massive amount of space. You don't need repeaters or weird corners to force a signal into a block anymore.
Signal Strength Matters
Here is where it gets technical but useful. The target block doesn't just send a "yes" or "no" signal. It sends a variable signal based on where you hit it.
Minecraft calculates the distance from the center of the block. If you hit the very edge, you get a weak signal. If you nail the absolute center—the bullseye—you get a full signal strength of 15. This allows for some incredibly complex builds. Imagine a door that only opens if you hit a "Gold" shot, or a fireworks display that gets bigger the closer you get to the center.
- Bullseye: Signal strength 15
- Near Center: Signal strength 10-14
- Outer Rings: Signal strength 1-9
It’s not just arrows, either. You can trigger this thing with snowballs, eggs, splash potions, or even those pesky Tridents. Even a lightning bolt from a Channeling trident will set it off.
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Common Mistakes When Using Target Blocks
Don't place it directly against a wall if you want the signal to travel through that wall. Target blocks are "transparent" in some ways but "solid" in others. While they conduct redstone, they don't behave exactly like a block of stone.
Another thing? The signal is temporary. Unlike a lever, the target block provides a pulse. The duration of that pulse depends on what hit it. An arrow stays stuck in the block for a minute, but the redstone signal only lasts for about 2 seconds (20 game ticks). If you use a projectile that disappears instantly, like a snowball, the pulse is even shorter.
If you need the lights to stay on, you’ll have to run the output into a T-Flip-Flop or a hopper clock.
Beyond the Archery Range: Advanced Uses
Let's get creative. Because the target block is technically a "full" block, mobs can spawn on it if the light level is low enough. Don't use them as flooring in your dark base unless you want a Creeper appearing in your living room.
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I’ve seen players use target blocks as "wireless" buttons. Instead of walking all the way over to a gate, you just keep a stack of snowballs in your inventory. Toss one at the target block from 20 blocks away, and the gate opens. It’s faster than a pressure plate and cooler than a button.
In technical Minecraft circles, like those followed by fans of Ilmango or Mumbo Jumbo, target blocks are used primarily for their "redstone redirection" property. In massive pumpkin or melon farms, they help compact the wiring so the farm fits into a smaller footprint.
Final Insights for Your Build
If you’re struggling with the crafting, double-check that you aren't using a "decorative" hay block from a mod—it has to be the vanilla Minecraft hay bale.
To take your target block game to the next level, try combining it with a Note Block. You can create a literal "ping" sound that changes pitch depending on how accurate your shot was.
- Place the target block.
- Put a Redstone Comparator behind it.
- Run the comparator into a string of redstone dust.
- Place Note Blocks at different intervals along that string.
Now you have an interactive game.
Go grab some wheat and redstone. Start by replacing one messy corner of your current redstone build with a target block. You’ll see immediately how much cleaner the wiring looks when the dust actually points where you want it to go. Once you get the hang of the signal strength mechanics, you can start building those legendary mini-games or secure base entrances that actually feel like they belong in a professional map.