This is a widely controversial subject, but I'm going to do my best. Obsidian tools should be mad with bones instead of sticks. They would mine/chop/dig/attack at twice the speed/damage of Diamond, but have the durability of stone.
I think that evens it out pretty well.
EDIT: Apparently I haven't explained this that well...
Once you get diamond tools, it's almost way too easy to get large amounts of obsidian. It just takes awhile to mine it. Because of this, Obsidian tools would be too easy to get compared to diamond (once you get diamond, it's automatic obsidian) To counter this, they would do things extremely quickly, but have very limited endurance (maybe it would be even better to have the endurance or gold or wood). You also can't get this on peaceful, because you need bones. By this, it gives obsidian tools a purpose without being too overpowered.
Diamond tools are the most effective on a speed/duration ratio, but Obsidian would be used for getting things done really quickly.
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Bone Bows and Obsidian arrows!
Bone bows would be made with 3 bones instead of sticks, and would be able to fire obsidian arrows that regular bows can't. (it fires regular arrows a tad bit further)
Obsidian arrows would require making obsidian shards (1 block = 9 shards)
Using a obsidian shard instead of flint, using a blaze rod instead of a stick, and a red flower instead of a feather would create one. They would only be fired from bone bows, deal double the damage as regular arrows, and then light the enemy on fire.
Sure death (unless you're an iron golem) but SUPER expensive.
Dude, obisdian is a volcanic glass which is half less durable than diamond and it can't break faster than diamond. Actually obsidian can be used as something you make tools from, and also you can use it as something decorative ( there are obsidian types which are very beautiful ). If you are talking about making obsidian tools it should be made just like all of the other tools and not with the use of bones. Obsidian can be used for hunting and is very durable, obsidian arrows can be used twice and more if you are lucky, but obsidian is NOT good for farming. Obsidian may be very sharp and cut threw bones very easily, but it will never be at diamonds level. Though the obsidian blocks should be made to obsidian "ingots" or maybe clean ores to make the tools.Though it's a good idea to add obsidian tools to minecraft.
Dude, obisdian is a volcanic glass which is...[-snip-]
I'll have to stop you right there. What we have in Minecraft is not obsidian. It's Basalt, given the wrong name by people who aren't native English speakers. Don't believe me? Here's some info from wiki.
So...that's a "very hard" black stone formed from cooling lava which can form an excellent insulator.
What is Minecraft obsidian? Answer: A "very hard" black block made from cooling lava which is excellent insulation from explosions.
Very similar, no?
So, with that out of the way, I personally think you could do basalt (obsidian) tools, but I disagree with making them bone. Instead, how about this? Basalt (obsidian) is semi-arbitrarily agreed to be "too hard" to shape with tools. So the only way to make tools out of it is with a "die cast" method. What does that mean? Instead of blocks, you make your item with lava buckets. The buckets are lost in the process (meaning tools take an additional three iron per "square" of material needed). They still don't use sticks, as sticks would burn up in the casting process. Instead, iron ingots are used. The end result is a tool that is either equal to diamond or in-between diamond and iron...but uses more resources than regular tools, taking a minimum of five iron (for a shovel) and up to eleven (for a pick or axe).
I'll have to stop you right there. What we have in Minecraft is not obsidian. It's Basalt, given the wrong name by people who aren't native English speakers. Don't believe me? Here's some info from wiki.
So...that's a "very hard" black stone formed from cooling lava which can form an excellent insulator.
What is Minecraft obsidian? Answer: A "very hard" black block made from cooling lava which is excellent insulation from explosions.
Very similar, no?
So, with that out of the way, I personally think you could do basalt (obsidian) tools, but I disagree with making them bone. Instead, how about this? Basalt (obsidian) is semi-arbitrarily agreed to be "too hard" to shape with tools. So the only way to make tools out of it is with a "die cast" method. What does that mean? Instead of blocks, you make your item with lava buckets. The buckets are lost in the process (meaning tools take an additional three iron per "square" of material needed). They still don't use sticks, as sticks would burn up in the casting process. Instead, iron ingots are used. The end result is a tool that is either equal to diamond or in-between diamond and iron...but uses more resources than regular tools, taking a minimum of five iron (for a shovel) and up to eleven (for a pick or axe).
Because y'know...
Obsidian is called obsidian for no reason.
Wiki information: "Though obsidian is usually dark in color similar to mafic rocks such as basalt, obsidian's composition is extremely felsic"
I guess you ware abit wrong there, native english speaker!
Your statement is invalid.
I'll have to stop you right there. What we have in Minecraft is not obsidian. It's Basalt, given the wrong name by people who aren't native English speakers. Don't believe me? Here's some info from wiki.
So...that's a "very hard" black stone formed from cooling lava which can form an excellent insulator.
What is Minecraft obsidian? Answer: A "very hard" black block made from cooling lava which is excellent insulation from explosions.
Very similar, no?
So, with that out of the way, I personally think you could do basalt (obsidian) tools, but I disagree with making them bone. Instead, how about this? Basalt (obsidian) is semi-arbitrarily agreed to be "too hard" to shape with tools. So the only way to make tools out of it is with a "die cast" method. What does that mean? Instead of blocks, you make your item with lava buckets. The buckets are lost in the process (meaning tools take an additional three iron per "square" of material needed). They still don't use sticks, as sticks would burn up in the casting process. Instead, iron ingots are used. The end result is a tool that is either equal to diamond or in-between diamond and iron...but uses more resources than regular tools, taking a minimum of five iron (for a shovel) and up to eleven (for a pick or axe).
Dude maybe minecraft "obsidian" is an actual basalt, but before you cut my comment read it. I'm not against "obsidian" tools. And actually minecraft's "obsidian" also isn't basalt you can read whatever you want from wiki but my brother is geologist and i can tell you that you can't make anything worth from basalt cause you can use it only for buildings. Second the wiki may be very dumb but unlike it says, basalt is not so hard rock, of course you can't break it with a hammer but it's not even close to diamond's durability. Diamond pick will break it in a second. Also i may not be a native english speaker but i know a thing or two about basalt and obsidian and believe we don't have basalt in minecraft and so not obsidian. Notch just didn't find a good name for that material. And also you are talking about how to make it, dude basalt as i mentioned before is not THAT hard, you can do whatever you want to it if you have diamond, it will cut threw it like nothing.
I think that evens it out pretty well.
EDIT: Apparently I haven't explained this that well...
Once you get diamond tools, it's almost way too easy to get large amounts of obsidian. It just takes awhile to mine it. Because of this, Obsidian tools would be too easy to get compared to diamond (once you get diamond, it's automatic obsidian) To counter this, they would do things extremely quickly, but have very limited endurance (maybe it would be even better to have the endurance or gold or wood). You also can't get this on peaceful, because you need bones. By this, it gives obsidian tools a purpose without being too overpowered.
Diamond tools are the most effective on a speed/duration ratio, but Obsidian would be used for getting things done really quickly.
----------------------------------------------------
Bone Bows and Obsidian arrows!
Bone bows would be made with 3 bones instead of sticks, and would be able to fire obsidian arrows that regular bows can't. (it fires regular arrows a tad bit further)
Obsidian arrows would require making obsidian shards (1 block = 9 shards)
Using a obsidian shard instead of flint, using a blaze rod instead of a stick, and a red flower instead of a feather would create one. They would only be fired from bone bows, deal double the damage as regular arrows, and then light the enemy on fire.
Sure death (unless you're an iron golem) but SUPER expensive.
You should too! Find it here; http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1648718-slime-blocksnew-method-of-trapping-mobs/
Agreed.
I'll have to stop you right there. What we have in Minecraft is not obsidian. It's Basalt, given the wrong name by people who aren't native English speakers. Don't believe me? Here's some info from wiki.
So...that's a "very hard" black stone formed from cooling lava which can form an excellent insulator.
What is Minecraft obsidian? Answer: A "very hard" black block made from cooling lava which is excellent insulation from explosions.
Very similar, no?
So, with that out of the way, I personally think you could do basalt (obsidian) tools, but I disagree with making them bone. Instead, how about this? Basalt (obsidian) is semi-arbitrarily agreed to be "too hard" to shape with tools. So the only way to make tools out of it is with a "die cast" method. What does that mean? Instead of blocks, you make your item with lava buckets. The buckets are lost in the process (meaning tools take an additional three iron per "square" of material needed). They still don't use sticks, as sticks would burn up in the casting process. Instead, iron ingots are used. The end result is a tool that is either equal to diamond or in-between diamond and iron...but uses more resources than regular tools, taking a minimum of five iron (for a shovel) and up to eleven (for a pick or axe).
Because y'know...
Obsidian is called obsidian for no reason.
Wiki information: "Though obsidian is usually dark in color similar to mafic rocks such as basalt, obsidian's composition is extremely felsic"
I guess you ware abit wrong there, native english speaker!
Your statement is invalid.
Dude maybe minecraft "obsidian" is an actual basalt, but before you cut my comment read it. I'm not against "obsidian" tools. And actually minecraft's "obsidian" also isn't basalt you can read whatever you want from wiki but my brother is geologist and i can tell you that you can't make anything worth from basalt cause you can use it only for buildings. Second the wiki may be very dumb but unlike it says, basalt is not so hard rock, of course you can't break it with a hammer but it's not even close to diamond's durability. Diamond pick will break it in a second. Also i may not be a native english speaker but i know a thing or two about basalt and obsidian and believe we don't have basalt in minecraft and so not obsidian. Notch just didn't find a good name for that material. And also you are talking about how to make it, dude basalt as i mentioned before is not THAT hard, you can do whatever you want to it if you have diamond, it will cut threw it like nothing.