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Break blocks not depending on item

If you want to create a pickaxe, axe, or whatever, that can break everything, for example, a wooden_pickaxe that can break diamond ore, this is your place:

Overview​

By default, Minecraft restricts which tools can break which blocks (e.g., you need a diamond pickaxe to mine obsidian). This guide shows you how to bypass these restrictions and create custom tools that can break any block regardless of vanilla mining requirements.

Method 1: Using Tool Rules (1.20.5+)​

For Minecraft 1.20.5 and above, you can use the toolRulesGroupFeature to override vanilla mining restrictions.

Configuration​

material: WOODEN_PICKAXE
displayName: '&6Universal Pickaxe'
lore:
- '&7Can mine any block!'

toolRulesGroupFeature:
  toolRules:
    rule_1:
      blocks:
      - DIAMOND_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_DIAMOND_ORE
      - OBSIDIAN
      - ANCIENT_DEBRIS
      speed: 8.0
      correctForDrops: true

Explanation​

  • blocks: List of blocks this tool can mine
  • speed: Mining speed multiplier (higher = faster)
  • correctForDrops: If true, the block will drop items as if mined with the correct tool

Method 2: Using PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK Activator​

For all versions, you can use the PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK activator with custom logic.

Basic Example - Instant Break Any Block​

material: WOODEN_PICKAXE
displayName: '&cInstant Breaker'

activators:
  break_any_block:
    activators:
    - PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK

    cancelEvent: true

    commands:
    - "SETBLOCK air %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY %block_type% 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"

How It Works​

  1. cancelEvent: true - Prevents normal block break (so vanilla tool requirements don't apply)
  2. SETBLOCK air - Removes the block immediately
  3. DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY - Drops the block item at its location

Advanced Example - With Block Drops​

material: WOODEN_PICKAXE
displayName: '&6Advanced Universal Pickaxe'
lore:
- '&7Breaks any block'
- '&7Drops items correctly'

activators:
  break_any_block:
    activators:
    - PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK

    cancelEvent: true
    silenceOutput: true

    detailedBlocks:
      blocks:
      - DIAMOND_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_DIAMOND_ORE
      - GOLD_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_GOLD_ORE
      - IRON_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_IRON_ORE
      - OBSIDIAN
      - ANCIENT_DEBRIS
      blockStates: []
      blockTags: []
      whitelist: true

    commands:
    - "SETBLOCK air %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "IF %block_type% == DIAMOND_ORE || %block_type% == DEEPSLATE_DIAMOND_ORE"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY DIAMOND 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "  PARTICLE FIREWORKS_SPARK 10 0.3 %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "ENDIF"
    - "IF %block_type% == OBSIDIAN"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY OBSIDIAN 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "ENDIF"
    - "IF %block_type% == ANCIENT_DEBRIS"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY ANCIENT_DEBRIS 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "  SENDMESSAGE &6You found Ancient Debris!"
    - "ENDIF"

Features​

  • detailedBlocks with whitelist: true - Only works on specified blocks
  • Custom drop logic based on block type
  • Particle effects for special blocks
  • Messages for rare finds

Combine tool rules for mining speed with activators for custom behavior:

material: DIAMOND_PICKAXE
displayName: '&b&lOmni-Tool'
lore:
- '&7Mines any block instantly'
- '&7Auto-smelts ores'

# 1.20.5+ Tool rules for mining speed
toolRulesGroupFeature:
  toolRules:
    rule_1:
      blocks:
      - DIAMOND_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_DIAMOND_ORE
      - GOLD_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_GOLD_ORE
      - IRON_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_IRON_ORE
      speed: 15.0
      correctForDrops: false  # We handle drops with activator

activators:
  auto_smelt_ores:
    activators:
    - PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK

    detailedBlocks:
      blocks:
      - IRON_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_IRON_ORE
      - GOLD_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_GOLD_ORE
      - COPPER_ORE
      - DEEPSLATE_COPPER_ORE
      whitelist: true

    commands:
    - "IF %block_type% contains IRON"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY IRON_INGOT 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "  PARTICLE FLAME 20 0.3 %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "ENDIF"
    - "IF %block_type% contains GOLD"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY GOLD_INGOT 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "  PARTICLE FLAME 20 0.3 %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "ENDIF"
    - "IF %block_type% contains COPPER"
    - "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY COPPER_INGOT 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
    - "  PARTICLE FLAME 20 0.3 %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
    - "ENDIF"

Important Notes​

⚠️ Prevent Duplication​

When using cancelEvent: true, always manually handle block removal and drops to avoid duplication:

# CORRECT
cancelEvent: true
commands:
- "SETBLOCK air %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"
- "DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY %block_type% 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"

# WRONG - Block will drop twice!
cancelEvent: false
commands:
- "SETBLOCK air %block_x% %block_y% %block_z% %block_world%"

🎯 Target Specific Blocks​

Use detailedBlocks to limit which blocks the tool can break:

detailedBlocks:
  blocks:
  - DIAMOND_ORE
  - EMERALD_ORE
  whitelist: true  # Only these blocks

💎 Handle Fortune/Silk Touch​

If you want fortune-like effects:

commands:
- "IF %random_1_100% <= 25"  # 25% chance
- "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY DIAMOND 2 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
- "ELSE"
- "  DROP_ITEM_NATURALLY DIAMOND 1 %block_world% %block_x% %block_y% %block_z%"
- "ENDIF"

Troubleshooting​

Tool Doesn't Break Blocks​

  • ✅ Check that PLAYER_BLOCK_BREAK activator is configured
  • ✅ If using detailedBlocks, ensure the block is in the whitelist
  • ✅ Make sure cancelEvent is set correctly

Blocks Drop Twice​

  • ❌ You have cancelEvent: false but are manually dropping items
  • ✅ Solution: Set cancelEvent: true OR don't manually drop items

Tool Is Too Slow​

  • For 1.20.5+: Increase speed value in toolRulesGroupFeature
  • For older versions: Use instant break method with SETBLOCK air

Examples in Default Items​

Check these default items for working examples:

  • Premium_Super_Pickaxe - Universal mining tool
  • Premium_Vein_Miner - Multi-block breaking

You can view these by running /ei show and browsing the Tools folder.