Minecraft Myths, Debunked: 10 misconceptions you shouldn’t believe in 2025

With a game as massive and long-lived as Minecraft, it’s no surprise that countless myths and misunderstandings have popped up over the years. Rumors from the schoolyard, YouTube videos, or simply the many updates across the last 15 years have all played their part. Many of these misconceptions are still widely believed and can lead to head-scratching moments in-game. In this post, we examine the biggest Minecraft myths — and show you what’s actually true.

Minecraft Myth: Herobrine — Did he ever 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 saying “Removed Herobrine” were an internal dev joke. Mojang still plays with the meme in marketing, but Herobrine has never made it into the game.

Punching 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 are player-broken. For oaks, the sapling chance is about 5%. With Fortune on your axe, it can climb to roughly 10%. Jungle trees have lower sapling rates 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 only requirement is that it’s placed directly next to water. Growth is governed by random ticks — the block type (dirt, grass, sand, mud) doesn’t matter.

Historical note: The rumor that sugar cane used to be plantable only on specific blocks or even in the End is false. Sugar cane (formerly “reeds”) has long been placeable on dirt/grass/sand next to water; the End dimension was added later.

Desert wells in Minecraft: Archaeology loot since 1.20

Myth: Desert wells are completely useless.

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

Monster spawns 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, hostile mobs have required light level 0 since 1.18. Deep caves often feel mob-heavier because there are many unlit surfaces and upper areas are already lit. The spawn rate itself does not increase just because you’re deeper.

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

Myth: Torches burn out over time and must be relit.

Fact: This was considered back in 2010 but never implemented. In Minecraft, all light sources burn indefinitely. The lantern was added in 1.14 as a decorative, strong light source — not as a required replacement for “burned out” torches.

Enchanting table script (SGA): Can you actually 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 don’t indicate the actual enchantments. Since 1.8, the UI shows one guaranteed enchantment — 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 standard compass always points to the world spawn — the point where you started the world. If you want it to point somewhere else, you need a Lodestone. When bound to a Lodestone, a compass 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 within a set range. For more XP, use ore farms, mob farms, or mine ores without Silk Touch so they drop XP immediately.

Enchanting table & bookshelves: Proper setup for level-30 enchants

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

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

Conclusion on Minecraft myths: What’s actually true

With so many versions and rumors around Minecraft, it’s no wonder misinformation spreads online. Not everything you hear is true — and some things have changed with updates. Use the facts above to make better in-game decisions and help your friends avoid common misconceptions.

Want to test these myths with your friends? Rent your own Minecraft server and jump in!