Minecraft myths debunked: 10 misconceptions you shouldn’t believe in 2025

With a game as successful and long-lived as Minecraft, it’s no surprise that plenty of myths and misunderstandings have built up over the years. Whether from playground rumours, Minecraft videos, or the many changes and versions the game has seen over the last 15 years, a lot of these misconceptions are still lodged in the zeitgeist and can lead to odd moments in-game. In this article, we examine the biggest Minecraft myths — and show you what’s actually true.

Minecraft myth Herobrine: Did he really exist?

Myth: Herobrine, Notch’s supposedly deceased brother, haunts your world and causes unexplained phenomena.

Fact: Notch never had a brother, and Herobrine has never existed in the game. The patch notes with “Removed Herobrine” were an internal developer joke. Mojang still plays with the meme in marketing — but Herobrine has never made it into the game.

Hitting leaves in Minecraft: Does it affect sapling and apple drops?

Myth: If you break leaves by hand, you’ll get fewer saplings or apples.

Fact: The drop rate is independent of whether leaves decay naturally or you break them. For oaks, the sapling chance is around 5%. With the Fortune enchantment on your axe it rises to roughly 10%. Jungle trees have a lower rate overall.

Sugar cane in Minecraft: Does it grow faster on sand or dirt?

Myth: Sugar cane grows faster on sand than on dirt or mud.

Fact: Sugar cane grows at the same speed everywhere. The key requirement is that it’s placed directly next to water. Growth is controlled by random ticks — the block type (dirt, grass, sand, mud) doesn’t matter.

Historical note: The rumour that sugar cane used to be plantable only on certain blocks, or even in the End, is false. Sugar cane (formerly “Reeds”) could be placed very early on dirt/grass/sand beside water; the End dimension arrived later.

Desert wells in Minecraft: Archaeology loot since 1.20

Myth: Desert wells are completely useless.

Fact: Since version 1.20 (Trails & Tales) with the archaeology feature, desert wells can contain suspicious sand. Use a brush to reveal pottery sherds, emeralds, and other useful items. Also note: Desert wells are not indicators of nearby villages — they generate independently in deserts.

Monster spawning by Y-level: Do more mobs spawn deeper down?

Myth: The deeper you mine, the more monsters automatically spawn.

Fact: Spawn rules do not directly depend on depth. In the Overworld since 1.18, hostile mobs spawn at light level 0. Deep caves often seem more mob-heavy because there are many unlit surfaces and areas above are already lit. The spawn rate itself does not increase with depth.

Torches and light sources: Do they ever go out in Minecraft?

Myth: Torches burn out after a while and must be relit.

Fact: This was considered back in 2010 but never implemented. In Minecraft, all light sources burn indefinitely. The lantern arrived in version 1.14 — as a decorative, strong light source, not as a mandatory replacement for expiring torches.

Enchanting table script (SGA): Can you really translate it?

Myth: The symbols on the enchanting table reveal which enchants you’ll get.

Fact: The runes use the Standard Galactic Alphabet (SGA) from the Commander Keen series. They are readable, but they don’t indicate the actual enchantments. Since 1.8, the UI shows one guaranteed enchant — the additional effects remain random.

Compass mechanics in Minecraft: Does it point to your bed or to spawn?

Myth: The compass points to your bed.

Fact: A normal compass always points to the world spawn — the point where you started when the world was created. If you want to set a compass to a different position, you need a lodestone. With that, it works reliably in every dimension (Overworld, Nether, End).

Fortune enchantment: Does it give you more XP?

Myth: Fortune increases not only item drops but also the XP you receive.

Fact: Fortune does not affect experience. XP amounts are defined per block type and vary randomly within a range. For more XP, rely on ore farms, mob farms, or mine ores without Silk Touch so they drop XP immediately.

Enchanting table & bookshelves: The right setup for level-30 enchants

Myth: The enchanting table must be completely and arbitrarily surrounded by books.

Fact: For level-30 enchantments you need exactly 15 bookshelves. Rule: The shelves must be one air block away from the table, and no block may stand between the table and the shelves (not even a torch). The classic 5x5 ring with a free ring around the table is common, but other layouts work as long as the rules are met. More than 15 shelves have no further effect.

Conclusion on Minecraft myths: What’s really true

With all the versions and rumours around Minecraft, it’s no wonder so many inaccuracies keep circulating online. Not everything you hear is true — and some things have changed through updates. Use the facts above to make better decisions in-game and help your friends steer clear of common misconceptions.

Want to test myths with your friends right away? Rent your own Minecraft server and get started!