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The South/West rule is an unintentional mechanic in "Minecraft" wherein various effects occur based on compass rose directions. Generally, these effects occur in a South/West variant.

This mechanic may be used to help determine direction without the use of a compass, if one is in the nether and it does not function properly, or if the player is underground without a compass and cannot see the sun. Since a compass does not determine direction, merely direction towards the spawn point, in SMP one might wish to find another's base which would require use of a compass.

Block directionality

Each and every block contains this mechanic, as determined by its placement. However, some blocks do not have noticeable texture differences, and are thus not readily identifiable.

Block South/West Quirk (from above)
Stone Stone blocks contain a square which orients West.
Grass Grass contains one dark spot. This orients West.
Dirt One corner of the dirt block is darker. This orients Southwest.
Cobblestone Cobblestone contains an "L" whose arms orient Northeast.
Wooden Plank Planks contain North-South striations, as well as 9 additional dark spots. Of these 5 are on the South side and create an "arrow" pointing North.
Bedrock
Water A player, boat, or mob touching the Northeast corner of a water block can swim even if blocked on the South and West sides. Water striations go North-South.
Lava A player, boat, or mob touching the Northeast corner of a lava block can be set on fire even if block on the South and West sides.
Sand Sand, like dirt, contains one darkened corner which orients Northeast.
Gravel
Gold Ore
Iron Ore
Coal Ore
Wood Wood contains one lightened square which is oriented North.
Leaves
Sponge
Glass Glass contains one diagonal sequence of 4 which orients Southwest.
Lapis Lazuli Ore
Lapis Lazuli Block This contains one gray corner which is near a small "L" shape. This corner orients Northeast.
Sandstone Sandstone is hard to distinguish, but it contains one lightly colored square. This orients East.
Note Block One corner of the checkerboard-styled pattern is darker than its counterpart, this orients Southwest.
Wool
Gold Block The gold block contains one darkened corner. This orients Southwest.
Iron Block
Double Stone Slab This contains a lightened 2x2 square which orients West. The stone slab is a lighter version of the stone block, with the addition of a darkened border.
Stone Slab This also contains a lightened 2x2 square which orients West.
Brick
TNT
Bookshelf Bookshelves contain North-South striations like planks, as well as 9 additional dark spots. Of these 5 are on the South side and create an "arrow" pointing North.
Moss Stone Contains a similar "L" to cobblestone which orients Northeast.
Obsidian Obsidian blocks contain one string of 3 diagonal light pixels. This orients East.
Fire A player, boat, or mob touching the Northeast corner of a block which is on fire can be burned even if block on the South and West sides.
Monster Spawner
Wooden Stairs Wooden Stairs contain North-South striations, as well as 9 additional dark spots. Of these 5 are on the South side and create an "arrow" pointing North.
Chest Chests, when placed will face by default West, or if surrounded by two blocks dominantly South, and then West. Chest direction is not affected by glass or stone slabs.
Redstone Wire Disconnected redstone wire contains two single dots on two separate ends, these orient North and East. When connected unilaterally, it will contain an "S" shape on the Northern or Eastern side.
Diamond Ore
Diamond Block Diamond blocks contain one corner which is darkened, this orients Southwest.
Workbench A workbench contains two sides which have one tool, these orient South and West.
Farmland Farmland contains 4 blue specks which orient Northeast.
Furnace
Wooden Door
Minecart Tracks When placing minecart tracks, they will favor linking to their North or East edges. An individually placed track will orient East-West.
Stone Stairs
Stone Pressure Plate
Iron Door
Wooden Pressure Plate Wooden pressure plates contain North-South striations like planks, as well as 9 additional dark spots. Of these 5 are on the South side and create an "arrow" pointing North.
Redstone Ore
Snow
Ice
Snow Block
Cactus
Clay
Jukebox
Fence
Pumpkin There is a "U" on top of the pumpkin which orients Southwest.
Netherrack Contains a similar "L" to cobblestone which orients Northeast.
Soul Sand
Glowstone Glowstone contains one darkened L-shaped corner which orients Southwest. Note that glowstone is an inefficient choice for orienting yourself, since it does not return its full value when broken.
Portal
Jack-O-Lantern Similarly to the pumpkin, there is a "U" on top of the pumpkin which orients Southwest.
Cake Cake contains four 2x2 squares, three of which orient Southwest.

The South/West rule also occurs in certain other items.

  • Minecarts will favor south or west motion at a "+" intersection due to the fact they favor "starting" at the North or East edge.
  • The North and East faces of a block on fire will burn a player who touches those sides, while the South and West sides do not.
  • If the player is standing adjacent to a sand block with a cactus on it, the North and East faces of the cactus will damage the player, if touched, while the South and West faces will not.
  • A dispenser will fire arrows, eggs, or snowballs through a solid block right next to the dispenser if the dispenser is facing West or South.
  • When a block is being broken, its cracks always maintain a certain cardinality.
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