Wouldn't it be neat to have something to shed some light into far-off dark places, like the bottom (or top!) of that ravine you're currently exploring - if only for a few moments?
I think flaming arrows would be just the right thing for that job, provided that they are made to actually illuminate the place where they hit (until they despawn), and an easy means is added to project them (you currently need to shoot a standard arrow through a lava source block).
As for the latter, my suggestion would be to add a special bow, which will fire arrows already ignited. Suggested crafting recipe:
S /
S t /
S /
where S = string, / = stick, and t = torch.
In case the crafting recipe feels too inexpensive for such a neat apparatus, the torch might be replaced by a less common fire-related item, such as flint & steel (moderately expensive), a bucket of lava (to stick with the shoot-through-lava theme), or netherrack (would obviously require you to visit the nether before you can build this bow).
Alternatively, instead of a special bow one could introduce special arrows, but that would make it difficult to determine which type of arrow to shoot.
To keep the power of this tool within reasonable limits, the flaming arrows should still despawn after a while. I'd also suggest to give it a lower brightness level than a torch (maybe halfway in between a redstone torch and a regular torch), so that it is less effective in preventing spawning.
Edit: Alternative crafting recipe suggested by X_x7:
Yes, but I think you should use Blaze Rods for the bow's sticks and that would set it on fire. That would make it a rare-ish thing to have.
Overkill, using blaze rods would make it too rare. The only people who would use the glowing arrows are the ones who hack/spawn items in, and don't care about wasting things.
Yes, but I think you should use Blaze Rods for the bow's sticks and that would set it on fire. That would make it a rare-ish thing to have.
I didn't think of that; I guess I do like the idea. (Though I personally haven't managed to acquire any blaze rods so far; I guess I need to spend more time hanging out in the nether.)
Overkill, using blaze rods would make it too rare. The only people who would use the glowing arrows are the ones who hack/spawn items in, and don't care about wasting things.
Note that the rods would be needed just once for the bow, not for each arrow. Those will remain the standard flint+stick+feather ones.
This sounds like a really good idea. Maybe you could have two variants: (or four!) ARROWS: One that's very bright (15), and one that's not-so-bright (7 maybe?)
BOWS: Normal bow fires all arrows, normal light level, AND special Blaze Rod bow that adds 2 light to ALL arrows fired from it.
I think flaming arrows would be just the right thing for that job, provided that they are made to actually illuminate the place where they hit (until they despawn), and an easy means is added to project them (you currently need to shoot a standard arrow through a lava source block).
As for the latter, my suggestion would be to add a special bow, which will fire arrows already ignited. Suggested crafting recipe:
where S = string, / = stick, and t = torch.
In case the crafting recipe feels too inexpensive for such a neat apparatus, the torch might be replaced by a less common fire-related item, such as flint & steel (moderately expensive), a bucket of lava (to stick with the shoot-through-lava theme), or netherrack (would obviously require you to visit the nether before you can build this bow).
Alternatively, instead of a special bow one could introduce special arrows, but that would make it difficult to determine which type of arrow to shoot.
To keep the power of this tool within reasonable limits, the flaming arrows should still despawn after a while. I'd also suggest to give it a lower brightness level than a torch (maybe halfway in between a redstone torch and a regular torch), so that it is less effective in preventing spawning.
Edit: Alternative crafting recipe suggested by X_x7:
where S = string, / = Blaze Rod.
/thread
Don't make things too complicated.
Overkill, using blaze rods would make it too rare. The only people who would use the glowing arrows are the ones who hack/spawn items in, and don't care about wasting things.
yeah that's perfect
I didn't think of that; I guess I do like the idea. (Though I personally haven't managed to acquire any blaze rods so far; I guess I need to spend more time hanging out in the nether.)
Note that the rods would be needed just once for the bow, not for each arrow. Those will remain the standard flint+stick+feather ones.
BOWS: Normal bow fires all arrows, normal light level, AND special Blaze Rod bow that adds 2 light to ALL arrows fired from it.