{{distinguish|Soul Soil}}
{{Infobox block
| image = Soul Sand.png
| renewable = Yes
| transparent = No
| light = No
| tool = shovel
| stackable = Yes (64)
| flammable = No, but burns indefinitely on the top side as soul fire
| lavasusceptible = No
}}
'''Soul sand''' is a block found naturally only in [[the Nether]] and [[ancient cities]]. Soul sand usually slows down the movement of [[mob]]s and [[player]]s walking on it. It is also used for growing [[nether wart]], crafting [[Soul|soul-related blocks]], creating a [[bubble column]], and constructing a [[wither]].

== Obtaining ==
=== Breaking ===
Soul sand can be mined with any [[tool]] or by hand, but [[shovel]]s are the quickest.
{{breaking row|horizontal=1|Soul Sand|shovel}}

=== Natural generation ===
Soul sand is found below Y=34 in the [[nether wastes]], generally in four-block-deep layers. It is also found naturally in nether wart rooms of [[nether fortress]]es.

Soul sand also generates in hoglin stables and housing unit [[bastion remnant]]s.

Soul sand also generates in [[soul sand valley]]s as part of the surface terrain.

Soul sand can generate in the Nether in the form of [[ore (feature)|ore blob]]s. Soul sand attempts to generate 12 times per chunk in blobs of size 0-23, from altitudes 0 to 31{{only|java|short=1}} or 32{{only|bedrock|short=1}} , in [[soul sand valley]]s. It can replace only [[netherrack]].

Soul sand is also found in [[ancient cities]], making it the only location with soul sand in the [[Overworld]].

{{Block distribution}}

=== Generated loot ===
{{LootChestItem|soul-sand}}

=== Bartering ===
[[Piglins]] may [[barter]] 2–8 soul sand when given a [[gold ingot]].

== Usage ==
[[File:Soulsand-cover.png|thumb|The slowing and sinking effect of soul sand is canceled depending on the height of the solid block directly above it. (Note: The snow behind the example blocks is only for visual reference. Physically, a block from layers of [[Snow]] (as opposed to an actual [[Snow Block]]) is always 1/8th of a full block lower than how many layers placed in it, with the first layer having effectively no height at all.)]]

Movement on or just above soul sand is slowed down for any [[mob]] or player that is not wearing [[boots]] enchanted with [[Soul Speed]] by approximately 41.91% (i.e. a player's speed is 2.508 m/s with no [[Speed]] or [[Slowness]] effects), and standing on soul sand causes entities to [[Solid block#Height|sink 2 pixels]] (or 0.125 blocks) into the block. A cover with solid blocks of any non-zero physical thickness prevents sinking, and any solid cover thicker than half a block also eliminates the slowing effect.

The effect applies to sneaking, walking, sprinting, and crawling (but not gliding), and to both regular and sprint-swimming. It also applies to riding mounts. Travel by boat is also slowed, although this requires water no more than 2/8 a block in depth for the boat to sit low enough to be affected. Furthermore, it does not matter whether the player or mob moves actively or is being moved, like by flowing water.

Most blocks that can be placed on full blocks can be placed on soul sand, with the exceptions of both types of [[fungi]], [[crimson roots]], [[warped roots]], and [[nether sprouts]].<ref>{{bug|MC-191255}}</ref> In addition, a [[falling block]] that lands on soul sand turns into an [[item (entity)|item]],<ref>{{bug|MC-77079|||WAI}}</ref> which prevents [[gravel]] from replacing lava if soul sand is underneath.

A [[hopper]] underneath a soul sand block can collect items that are dropped on it.

Soul sand cannot be used in place of regular [[sand]] as a falling block because it is not affected by gravity.

[[Strider]]s are slowed down by soul sand underneath a layer of lava.

Soul sand has a height of <sup>14</sup>⁄<sub>16</sub> of a block. 

=== Crafting ingredient ===
{{Crafting usage}}

=== Growing nether wart ===

Soul sand is used for growing [[nether wart]], a primary base ingredient for many types of potions. Nether warts can be placed on soul sand and grow through four growth stages over time. Placing nether wart on soul sand grants the "A Seedy Place" advancement{{only|java}}. Nether warts can grow in any dimension and do not have any light level requirements. Nether warts can also be placed only in soul sand (and cannot even be placed in [[soul soil]]).{{FakeImage|align=right|{{BlockGrid|scale=2|w=Wither Skeleton Skull|s=Soul Sand|www|sss| s }}|The wither build configuration.}}
=== Withers ===
Four blocks of soul sand (or [[soul soil]]) are used to construct the [[wither]]. The four blocks are arranged in a "T"-like formation (similar to the summoning of an [[iron golem]]) and 3 [[wither skeleton skull]]s are placed in a row on top of the "T" to summon the wither.

=== Bubble columns ===
Placing soul sand under source [[water]] blocks creates a [[Bubble Column#Upward|lifting bubble column]], which causes items, entities, players, and mobs inside the column to rise to the surface. The bubble column extends upward through any number of empty water source blocks (not [[waterlogging|waterlogged]] blocks).[[File:Ancient city centre soul fire.png|thumb|Soul fire generating on soul sand in an ancient city.]]A player can restore breath by entering a soul sand's bubble column.

=== Note blocks ===
Soul sand can be placed under [[note block]]s to produce cowbell sounds.
=== Fire ===
Fire lit on soul sand becomes [[soul fire]], which burns indefinitely.

Because soul sand is not as high as a full [[block]], a player is set on fire if standing next to lava while on soul sand.<ref>{{bug|MC-1448}}</ref> Standing near water while on soul sand extinguishes the player.

== Sounds ==
{{Sound table/Block/Soul sand}}

== Data values ==
=== ID ===
{{edition|java}}:
{{ID table
|edition=java
|showblocktags=y
|showitemtags=y
|showforms=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Soul Sand
|spritetype=block
|nameid=soul_sand
|blocktags=soul_fire_base_blocks, soul_speed_blocks, wither_summon_base_blocks, mineable/shovel
|itemtags=soul_fire_base_blocks
|foot=1}}

{{edition|bedrock}}:
{{ID table
|edition=bedrock
|showitemtags=y
|shownumericids=y
|showforms=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Soul Sand
|spritetype=block
|nameid=soul_sand
|id=88
|itemtags=minecraft:soul_fire_base_blocks
|foot=1}}

== Achievements ==
{{Load achievements|The Beginning?}}

== Advancements ==
{{Load advancements|Withering Heights;A Seedy Place}}

== Video ==
{{yt|_3HBzqU9Nak}}

== History ==
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|java alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||October 8, 2010|link=https://web.archive.org/web/0/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1269865704/work-on-the-new-dimension-is-going-well-heres-a|Soul sand first appears on [[Notch]]'s blog.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.0|dev=preview|[[File:Soul Sand JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added soul sand.
|Soul sand generates in the newly added [[the Nether|Nether]] dimension.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.0_01|[[Gravel]] now generates where soul sand should generate. Some soul sand can still generate.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.0_02|Soul sand now generates where some of the gravel would.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java beta}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.6.6|The [[player]] can now get out of soul sand to another [[block]] while [[sneaking]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|java}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease|Added [[nether wart]]s, which can be grown on soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease 6|[[Shovel]]s now [[breaking|mine]] soul sand faster.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.2|dev=12w36a|[[Wither skeleton skull]]s can now be placed on a formation of soul sand to create a [[wither]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w38a|Soul sand now has new [[sound]]s when being walked on.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.5|dev=13w02a|In [[texture pack]]s, soul sand now uses /textures/blocks/hellsand.png.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8|dev=14w17a|[[Silverfish]] and [[endermite]]s now take [[damage]] if they walk on soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=14w32b|One-way doorways can no longer be made with soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.12|dev=17w18b|Placing a nether wart in soul sand now gives the player the "A Seedy Place" [[advancement]].{{verify}}}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13|dev=17w47a|Prior to [[1.13/Flattening|''The Flattening'']], this [[block]]'s numeral ID was 88.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w07a|Soul sand now produces upward [[bubble column]]s when under [[water]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.14|dev=18w43a|[[File:Soul Sand JE2 BE2.png|32px]] The texture of soul sand has been changed.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w46a|Soul sand has now lost the ability to support many [[block]]s.<ref>{{bug|MC-139497}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w47b|Soul sand can now support many blocks they could not due to the above bug.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=19w09a|Soul sand can now be used to play the cowbell, if they are under [[Note Block|note block]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=19w13a|Soul sand can no longer support such blocks.<ref>{{bug|MC-146928}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=19w14a|Soul sand and [[gravel]] now generate around lava sea level instead of between y level 60 and 65.<ref>{{bug|MC-152207}} Resolved as "Works As Intended"</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.15|dev=19w41a|Soul sand no longer has an increased slowing effect when placed above [[ice]], [[packed ice]], or [[slime block]]s.<ref>{{bug|MC-163952}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Pre-Release 2|Soul sand now suffocates mobs.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Pre-Release 3|Soul sand no longer suffocates mobs.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.15|Walking on soul sand is no longer faster on the edges.}} <!-- TODO: Find out exactly which snapshot this changed in -->
|{{HistoryLine||December 3, 2019|link=https://twitter.com/MiaLem_n/status/1201782817417580544|[[Maria Lemón]] confirms that [[fire]] set on soul sand does not become [[fire|soul fire]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16|dev=20w06a|Soul sand now generates in the [[soul sand valley]] biome.
|New unique sounds have been added for soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w07a|Soul sand now has a {{frac|10|109}} (~9.17%) chance of being given by the new [[piglin]]s when [[bartering]], in a stack size of 1–4, making it [[renewable]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w09a|Soul sand can no longer be obtained by bartering with piglins, making it no longer renewable.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w10a|Soul sand now has a {{frac|40|411}} (~9.74%) chance of being given by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 4–16, making it renewable, once again.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w11a|Soul sand can now support many [[block]]s, once again.<ref>{{bug|MC-146928}}</ref><ref>{{bug|MC-170836}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w12a|[[Fire]] lit on top of soul sand now becomes soul fire.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w15a|Soul sand is now used to craft [[soul fire torch]]es and [[soul campfire]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w16a|Soul sand can now generate in [[bastion remnant]]s or be found in its chests.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.2|dev=20w28a|[[Sea pickle]]s can be placed on soul sand.
|Soul sand now has a {{frac|40|459}} (~8.71%) chance of being given by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 2–8.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19|dev=Deep Dark Experimental Snapshot 1|Soul sand now generate as part of [[ancient cities]].}}

|{{HistoryLine|pocket alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.12.1|dev=build 1|[[File:Soul Sand JE1 BE1.png|30px]] Added soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.16.0|dev=build 4|Soul sand can now be used to spawn the [[wither]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|bedrock}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.5.0|dev=beta 1.5.0.4|Soul sand now produces upward [[bubble column]]s when under [[water]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.10.0|dev=beta 1.10.0.3|[[File:Soul Sand JE2 BE2.png|32px]] The texture of soul sand has been changed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13.0|dev=beta 1.13.0.9|Soul sand can now be used to play the cowbell, if they are under [[note block]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.0|dev=beta 1.16.0.51|Soul sand now generates in the soul sand valley.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=beta 1.16.0.57|Soul sand now has a {{frac|40|411}} (~9.74%) chance of being given by piglins when bartering, in a stack size of 4–16, making it renewable.
|Soul sand is now used to craft [[soul fire torch]]es.
|Soul sand can now generate in [[bastion remnant]] or be found in its chests.
|Soul sand now generate as a blob in [[soul sand valley]].
|Soul sand now have their own unique [[sound]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=beta 1.16.0.63|Soul sand is now a full block. so it no longer sinks entities down into them slightly.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.40|dev=Preview 1.19.40.21|Soul sand is no longer a full block. It sinks entities down slightly again.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Preview 1.19.40.24|Soul sand has become a full block again.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.50|dev=Preview 1.19.50.20|Soul sand is once again no longer a full block. It now sinks entities down slightly again.}}

|{{HistoryLine|console}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU1|xbone=CU1|ps3=1.00|psvita=1.00|ps4=1.00|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|[[File:Soul Sand JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added soul sand.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU19|xbone=CU7|ps3=1.12|psvita=1.12|ps4=1.12|Soul sand can now be used to build the [[wither]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU69|xbone=none|ps3=1.76|psvita=1.76|ps4=1.76|wiiu=Patch 38|switch=none|Soul sand now produces upward [[bubble column]]s when under [[water]].}}
|{{HistoryLine|Ps4}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.90|[[File:Soul Sand JE2 BE2.png|32px]] The texture of soul sand has been changed.}}

|{{HistoryLine|new 3ds}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.1.0|[[File:Soul Sand JE1 BE1.png|32px]] Added soul sand.}}
}}

== Issues ==
{{issue list}}

== Trivia ==
* Soul sand has inner collision boxes every eighth of a block. However, these collision boxes have an effect only if entities are clipped into soul sand.
* If a [[water]] current is pushing the player diagonally against a wall and soul sand is the block adjacent to the player's head when the current ends, it causes the player to jump.
*Just like with other blocks of less than full height that can have (flowing) water above it, riding a boat on dry soul sand into an oncoming stream of flowing water leaves the boat itself on the sand while the player character is "carved" out of the boat by the water "blade".
* Before [[Village & Pillage]], soul sand used to generate in iconic four-block-deep layers between y levels 60 and 65. It also occasionally generated on the floor of caverns and coasts of lava oceans below, only if it generated in the same column at Y=60 or above. Toward the end of Village & Pillage development, the generation range of soul sand was reduced so that it exists only below y level 34, close to the lava sea level. As a result, soul sand is much harder to find in Nethers that were generated in the 1.14 and 1.15 versions.

== Gallery ==
=== Screenshots ===
<gallery>
File:SoulSand.png|Naturally occurring soul sand.
File:NotchSoulSand.png|The first image released by Notch of soul sand.
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-soul-sand Block of the Week: Soul Sand] – Minecraft.net on November 24, 2016

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