Obsidian totem (block)

This page is about the block. For the pillar structure composed of this block, see obsidian totem. For other uses, see obsidian totem (disambiguation).

Obsidian totem blocks.

Obsidian totem blocks, along with their variant charged obsidian totem, are blocks are blocks that generate naturally as a part of some eldritch structures.

Obtaining

Obsidian totem blocks can be mined using any pickaxe. If mined with any other tool, they drop nothing.

Mining a charged obsidian totem block will drop the regular variant.

Both regular and charged obsidian totem blocks are available in the Creative mode menu.

Natural generation

Obsidian totem blocks generate as a part of obsidian totem and hilltop stones structures.

Appearance

A demonstration of all four obsidian totem block "face" textures. Note how the diagonal line of totem blocks all have the same "face"; this is due to the change in Z-coordinate (in this case, decreasing to the left) canceling out the increase in Y-coordinate.

Obsidian totem blocks are somewhat unique in the fact that the textures of their sides vary depending on where they are placed.

When placed alone or in the lower part of a stack of other totem blocks, totem blocks will display a dark texture with a black spot in its center on all four side faces. If the block is at the top of a stack, each of its side faces will become etched with one of four eerie-looking "face" textures. If another totem block is placed or removed in such a way that causes the block's relative location in the stack to change, that block's texture will update to reflect its new position in the stack.

The "face" textures used depend on the x, y, and z coordinates of the block as well as the cardinal direction of the block face the texture is on. Each of the four possible "face" textures has an ID, $n_{tex}$, numbered 0-3. Each block face has a similar ID, $n_{face}$, also numbered 0-3. The texture used for any given block face is determined by:

$n_{tex} = (n_{face} + x + y + z)\mod 4$

where ${\textstyle x}$, ${\textstyle y}$, and ${\textstyle z}$ are the coordinates of the block.

This coordinate-dependent behavior means that the texture of an obsidian totem block will always be fixed for any given location no matter how many times it is destroyed and replaced.

Charged obsidian totem blocks are identical in appearance to their regular counterparts.

Usage

Charged variant

Charged obsidian totem blocks generate with aura nodes within them. Mining one of these blocks will destroy the aura nodes within, dropping ethereal essence in addition to the obsidian totem block itself. The types and quantities of essence dropped follows the same rules as all other nodes.

Trivia

• Charged obsidian totem blocks are one of only two non-air blocks that may generate with aura nodes inside of them, the other being silverwood logs.
  • Of these two, charged obsidian totems are the only block that have a proper name assigned to them and are accessible from the Creative mode menu.
  • If either of these blocks are obtained as items and placed in the world, no new aura node will generate within them; however, when they are broken, they will still create the same effects as breaking an aura node.
  • Aura nodes generated within either of these blocks can neither bully nor be bullied by other nodes.
  • Unlike silverwood log nodes, which are always pure and thus resist tainting, the sinister nodes that generate within charged obsidian totems can be tainted. This is unlikely to occur, though, as the eerie-spreading effect of the sinister node is enough to overpower and hold back the spread of taint.
    • If the charged obsidian totem generates within a natural tainted land biome, it may generate already tainted instead of as sinister.