What item to use in mob traps? Lava, Water, Cactus?

There are several tried and tested methods for creating mob traps and most of them consist of the same deadly materials. If placed in a certain ways, these materials make it possible to trap a mob, inflict damage and send them to their doom.

The key to any mob trap is funnelling mobs down a particular route and into the trap area. The best traps and also the most efficient ones are those which are built in mob spawn areas.

Trap materials

Water

The traditional mob trap consists of water and a trap mechanism. Once the mob gets stuck in the water they will drown (if it’s at least 2 blocks deep).

The great part about a water trap is that the water current can be used to move any dropped items to another area for you to collect later. Thus separating the mob trap from the resource collection area.

Tip: If you collect water from the ocean you can place Springs. Springs generate unlimited amounts of water which can be used to create water currents.

Lava

Lava is another good item for killing mobs. Any mob that comes into contact with Lava will take damage and also be set on fire.

When a lava block is placed, the lava will flow exactly 3 blocks from its source. Combined with a ladder below the third block the lava will remain suspended. Any mobs passing the suspended lava block will die.

You must collect Lava using Lava Buckets because Lava cannot be crafted.

Cactus

The cactus inflicts damage to mobs too. If placed in a way that prevents a mob manoeuvring past the cactus then they will die. Cacti must be placed on top of sand and have no blocks either side of them.

TNT

TNT is great for building traps but it's a ‘one use' trap that needs refilling. Once the TNT explodes, you'll need to collect more to rearm the trap. TNT traps are the most fun but not the most efficient for collecting items.