Flint and Steel

What it can ignite

Using it on a valid surface above a solid top, beside a flammable block, or beside obsidian in a valid unlit Nether portal frame places fire. It can also light campfires, candles, and cakes with candles. Fire in a valid obsidian frame is replaced by Nether portal blocks. Flint and Steel cannot light End portals.

Explosives and creepers

Using Flint and Steel on TNT ignites it, and damage from TNT ignited this way counts as the player's attack. Sneaking while using it on TNT places fire on the side instead. Using it on a creeper or charged creeper forces an explosion that cannot be cancelled, so only do this when you are prepared for the blast. A dispenser with Flint and Steel can ignite relevant blocks such as TNT or campfires directly in front of it when powered, but cannot detonate creepers.

Durability and repair

The item has 64 durability. Anvil repair with a flint and steel preserves enchantments when combining two of them. Unbreaking can negate some durability consumption, and Mending repairs it when you obtain experience; both are anvil enchantments. A dispenser also spends the tool's durability when using it. Java behavior here does not include the separate Bedrock-only use as a block-breaking tool.

When to keep it on hand

Craft one from an iron ingot and flint. It is a compact utility choice for portal travel and controlled ignition, but it is not a general-purpose weapon: its combat-relevant use is specifically igniting TNT or forcing a creeper to explode. Keep it selected only when you intend to ignite something, since a mistaken use can start a fire or an irreversible creeper explosion.

Limitations and tradeoffs

• One tool supports several ignition tasks, but has finite durability.
• TNT ignition can count as the player's attack, while creeper ignition forces an explosion that cannot be cancelled.
• Dispenser use can automate some ignition tasks but spends durability and cannot trigger creepers.