Creating Blocks

Blocks are the foundation of Hytale’s world. Learn how to create custom blocks with unique properties, behaviors, and appearances.

Block Types

Type	Description	Examples
Solid	Standard placeable blocks	Stone, wood, bricks
Transparent	See-through blocks	Glass, leaves, fences
Interactive	Blocks with behavior	Doors, switches, containers
Decorative	Non-functional decoration	Flowers, statues, lights
Liquid	Flowing blocks	Water, lava

Getting Started

If you haven’t created a block yet, start with the Quick Start tutorial.

Creating a Block

Using the Asset Editor

Open the Asset Editor
Navigate to Blocks > Create New
Set the block name and properties
Assign a texture
Save your pack

Manual JSON Creation

Create a file in Server/Block/:

{
  "identifier": "mypack:colored_stone",
  "displayName": "Colored Stone",
  "category": "building",
  "hardness": 1.5,
  "resistance": 6.0,
  "texture": "mypack:colored_stone",
  "model": "cube",
  "drops": ["mypack:colored_stone"],
  "sounds": {
    "break": "block.stone.break",
    "place": "block.stone.place",
    "step": "block.stone.step"
  }
}

Block Properties

Key Properties

Property	Description
`identifier`	Unique ID in format `namespace:blockname`
`displayName`	Name shown to players
`category`	Creative menu category
`hardness`	Time to break (higher = longer)
`resistance`	Explosion resistance
`texture`	Reference to texture file
`model`	Block model (cube, cross, etc.)
`drops`	Items dropped when broken
`sounds`	Sound events for interactions

Hardness Values

Value	Break Time	Example
0.0	Instant	Grass
0.5	Fast	Dirt
1.5	Medium	Stone
5.0	Slow	Obsidian
-1	Unbreakable	Bedrock

Resistance Values

Value	Resistance	Example
0.0	None	Glass
6.0	Normal	Stone
1200	High	Obsidian

Tool Requirements

Specify which tools can mine the block:

{
  "harvestTool": "pickaxe",
  "harvestLevel": 1
}

Level	Tool Tier
0	Any tool
1	Stone+
2	Iron+
3	Diamond+

Block Categories

Organize blocks into categories for the creative menu:

Category	Purpose
`building`	Construction materials
`decoration`	Decorative items
`natural`	Nature blocks (dirt, stone)
`functional`	Blocks with uses
`redstone`	Logic/mechanical blocks

Creating Block Textures

Texture Specifications

Size: 16x16 pixels (standard) or 32x32 (high detail)
Format: PNG with transparency support
Location: Common/BlockTextures/

Tips for Good Textures

Tile seamlessly - Edges should connect when repeated
Use consistent lighting - Light from top-left is standard
Avoid too much noise - Keep patterns readable at small sizes
Test in-game - Check how it looks placed next to itself

Multi-Face Textures

For blocks with different sides (like logs or crates):

{
  "texture": {
    "top": "mypack:crate_top",
    "bottom": "mypack:crate_bottom",
    "sides": "mypack:crate_side"
  }
}

Or specify each face:

{
  "texture": {
    "top": "mypack:crate_top",
    "bottom": "mypack:crate_bottom",
    "north": "mypack:crate_side",
    "south": "mypack:crate_side",
    "east": "mypack:crate_side",
    "west": "mypack:crate_side"
  }
}

Block Drops

By default, blocks drop themselves. Customize drops:

{
  "drops": [
    {
      "item": "mypack:gem",
      "count": { "min": 1, "max": 3 }
    }
  ]
}

No Drops

{
  "drops": []
}

Conditional Drops

Require a specific tool:

{
  "drops": [
    {
      "item": "mypack:gem",
      "condition": {
        "tool": "pickaxe"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Complete Example

File structure:

MyBlockPack/
├── manifest.json
├── Common/
│   └── BlockTextures/
│       └── glowing_ore.png
└── Server/
    └── Block/
        └── glowing_ore.json

manifest.json:

{
  "name": "MyBlockPack",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "Custom blocks"
}

glowing_ore.json:

{
  "identifier": "mypack:glowing_ore",
  "displayName": "Glowing Ore",
  "category": "natural",
  "hardness": 3.0,
  "resistance": 3.0,
  "texture": "mypack:glowing_ore",
  "model": "cube",
  "harvestTool": "pickaxe",
  "harvestLevel": 2,
  "drops": [
    {
      "item": "mypack:glow_crystal",
      "count": { "min": 1, "max": 2 }
    }
  ],
  "light": 8
}

Next Steps

Creating Items - Create items that drop from blocks
Quick Start - Create your first block