Redstone · Mechanic · Java & Bedrock
How to Use a Target Block
A target block is redstone you trigger by shooting it. Any projectile sets it off, and the closer to the centre you hit, the stronger the signal, from 1 at the rim to a full 15 on a bullseye.
1583
redstone outHit closer to the centre = stronger signal (15 bullseye, 1 edge)
Shoot a target block and it outputs redstone based on how close to the centre you hit. A dead-centre arrow gives a full 15; the rim barely a flicker.
How the score works
Signal strength is just how close to the middle you landed.
15
Bullseye
11
Inner
7
Middle
4
Outer
1
Edge
What sets it off
Arrows, snowballs, eggs, ender pearls, tridents and even a fishing bobber all trigger it. Arrows stick in the block and hold the signal a touch longer; everything else bounces off but still scores.
What to build with it
Archery ranges that score every shot and light up on a bullseye.
Hidden doors and traps you trigger by shooting an arrow from across the room.
Remote redstone switches you fire with a snowball instead of walking over.
Parkour and mini-game checkpoints that react to a thrown egg or trident.
Skeleton or dispenser contraptions that hit a target on a timer.
Quick answers
What does a target block do?
It outputs a redstone signal whenever a projectile hits it. The strength depends on how close to the centre you land: a bullseye gives the full 15, the outer rim as little as 1.
How long does the signal last?
About a second. A loose hit pulses briefly, while an arrow that sticks in the block holds the signal a little longer before it stops and resets.
What can you hit a target block with?
Any projectile works: arrows, snowballs, eggs, ender pearls, tridents, even a fishing bobber. Arrows stick in it; the others bounce off but still trigger the pulse.
How do you make a target block?
Surround one hay bale with four redstone dust in a plus shape on the crafting grid: redstone top, left, right and bottom, hay bale in the middle.
How is the signal strength calculated?
Purely by distance from the centre. Dead centre is 15 and it steps down ring by ring to 1 at the very edge, so accuracy maps straight onto redstone power.
What can I build with a target block?
Archery scoring ranges, arrow-activated hidden doors and traps, remote switches you shoot from a distance, and mini-game checkpoints that react to a thrown projectile.