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This wikiHow teaches you how to build a large cannon in Minecraft's Creative Mode. While it is technically possible to create a cannon in Survival, the amount of time and energy needed to select all of the resources makes doing so impractical. You can build the cannon outlined here in all versions of Minecraft, including on computer, mobile, and console versions.

  1. To do so:
    • Computer - Press the E key.
    • Pocket Edition - Tap
    • Console Edition - Press the X (Xbox) or square (PlayStation) button.
  2. Move the following items from the creative inventory to your equip bar: [1] [2]
    • 16 blocks - These can be anything from wool to diamond, but iron or obsidian is preferred.
    • 1 slab - This can be any material. The best material to use is quartz.
    • 11 redstone
    • 1 bucket of water
    • 2 levers
    • 5 TNT blocks
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    Make sure that at least one end of this row is facing the direction in which you want to shoot. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    You should now have a seven-block-long row with a reverse "L" shape.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    This row should run parallel to the first row, starting on the left side of the last block you placed. Doing so will create a "U" shape that is seven blocks long and three blocks wide. [4]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    This block is the top-left block in the "U" shape.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    The slab should fit directly in between the front-left and front-right blocks.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    At the bottom of the "U" shape, place the water to form a channel from the back of the cannon all the way up to the slab. [5] This is what will move your TNT forward when you place it later. [6]
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    These switches will function as your cannon's triggers. [7]
    • Leave the middle block blank. You won't put anything here, especially not redstone.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    The line of redstone should go all the way up to the last block, including the one you placed on top of the final block on the left side. [8] [9]
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    The line of redstone must go all the way up to the block that comes before the block that's touching the slab. [10]
    • The redstone line should essentially extend the length of the water channel.
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    This will be your projectile. [11] [12]
  13. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    These TNT blocks can go all the way back to the second-to-last block of water, but the source water block must remain.
  14. Watermark wikiHow to Make a TNT Cannon in Minecraft
    When you're ready, flick the right switch, then immediately hit the left one. The front piece of TNT will drop onto the slab as the four TNT blocks move toward it; when the TNT blocks explode, the front one will be propelled forward. [13]
    • This TNT's height will vary depending on how quickly you hit the left switch. If you do very quickly, the TNT will fly straight. Delay it 2-3 seconds, and the TNT will fly much higher. If you wait too long, however, the first block of TNT will just fly upward and explode.
    • Don't hit the left switch first, or your cannon might explode.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What did I do wrong? All of the TNT just explodes and does not shoot!
    Community Answer
    Did you flip the left switch first or not at all? That would cause it to just explode.
  • Question
    How does the redstone help?
    Matthew Ray
    Community Answer
    The redstone makes it so that the other TNTs next to it can activate first before the other TNT projectile can activate in a short delay, so the first TNT can explode and shoot the projectile out.
  • Question
    How to craft an End Crystal?
    Todd
    Community Answer
    End Crystals can be crafted from 7 glass blocks, 1 Eye of Ender, and 1 Ghast Tear using a crafting table. See also: <a href="/Make-End-Crystals">How to Make End Crystals</a>
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      Tips

      • When reloading your cannon, be sure to flip the levers off. Otherwise, they will begin to explode immediately! You can switch the levers with buttons to prevent this from happening.
      • The higher your cannon is, the better your range will be.
      • You don't have to have your cannon sitting in the middle of nowhere. Try incorporating it into a building.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You can also create TNT fireworks by making a 3x3 platform. Extend each side 4 blocks high and fill the empty space with TNT. Stick one TNT block out. Then, break one block in the middle of a slab, two blocks high. You should be able to see the bottom TNT. Place a lever there, then flick the lever and watch the magic happen! You can stand on top of the TNT to make the ultimate jumper.
      • Use redstone repeaters instead of 2 levers. Attach a redstone on either side of the lever. Then, use however many clicks until you get the height you want.
      • In the event of misplaced redstone or TNT, build the cannon out of obsidian so the cannon won't be obliterated.
      • When making a TNT cannon, point it away from your guarded area, unless you want a scorched path.
      • Remember, you can also add more TNT, you just need to make the cannon longer.
      • You can also use End Stone as a block because of its high blast resistance.
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      Warnings

      • Build your cannon far enough from your house, storage, and anything else you love in case it malfunctions and sends TNT flying all over.
      • This is exceedingly difficult to build in Survival mode since you must kill Creepers in order to get the materials needed to craft TNT.
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