Health Points
The player has 160 health points total, displayed as 10 hearts in the HUD.- Maximum health: 160 HP (10 hearts)
- 1 heart = 16 health points
- Starting health: 160 HP (full health on spawn)
- Respawn health: 80 HP (5 hearts, half of max)
This differs from vanilla Minecraft Beta 1.7.3, which has 20 health (10 hearts = 2 HP per heart). Loading vanilla saves will result in only 1 heart initially - eat food to restore health.
Damage Sources
Fall Damage
Falling from heights damages the player based on fall distance.- Damage formula:
(fall_distance - 3) × 16 HPper block beyond 3 blocks - Safe fall height: 3 blocks (no damage)
- 4 block fall: 16 HP (1 heart)
- 5 block fall: 32 HP (2 hearts)
- 10 block fall: 112 HP (7 hearts)
- Landing in water
- Being underwater when the fall starts
Lava Damage
Swimming in lava causes continuous damage.- Damage: 32 HP (2 hearts) every 8 game ticks
- Frequency: Approximately 4 times per second
- Lava detection: Checks player position and block below
Drowning Damage
When underwater, an oxygen bar appears above the health bar. When oxygen runs out, the player begins drowning.- Maximum oxygen: 351 ticks (approximately 17.5 seconds)
- Oxygen depletion: 1 tick per game tick while underwater
- Oxygen restoration: Instant when surfacing
- Drowning damage: 16 HP (1 heart) every 32 ticks when oxygen ≤ threshold
- Damage frequency: Approximately every 1.6 seconds
- Oxygen bar displayed only when underwater
- Oxygen depletes at constant rate while submerged
- Oxygen instantly refills when returning to air
- Drowning damage begins when oxygen fully depleted
Raw Food Damage
Eating raw meat damages the player.- Raw Porkchop: -16 HP (1 heart)
- Raw Fish: -16 HP (1 heart)
Healing Through Food
Food can only be eaten when the player is below maximum health. Right-click with food in hand to eat it.Food Healing Values
| Food | Healing | Hearts Restored |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 32 HP | 2 hearts |
| Golden Apple | Full Health | 10 hearts (to max) |
| Bread | 40 HP | 2.5 hearts |
| Cooked Porkchop | 64 HP | 4 hearts |
| Cooked Fish | 48 HP | 3 hearts |
| Mushroom Stew | 80 HP | 5 hearts |
| Raw Porkchop | -16 HP | -1 heart |
| Raw Fish | -16 HP | -1 heart |
Best Healing
Mushroom Stew (80 HP / 5 hearts)
Full Heal
Golden Apple (restores to 160 HP)
Easy Food
Bread (40 HP / 2.5 hearts)
Avoid
Raw meat damages you!
Food Restrictions
- Food cannot be eaten at full health (160 HP)
- Eating food is instant (no eating animation)
- Food items have max stack of 1 (except cookies: 8 stack)
- Mushroom stew returns an empty bowl after eating
Death and Respawning
When health reaches 0 HP, the player dies.Death Consequences
- All items are dropped at death location
- Instant respawn at world spawn point
- Respawn health: 80 HP (5 hearts, half of maximum)
- No death screen or delay
Spawn Points
- World spawn: Original spawn point set when world was created
- Beds: Present in game but do not set spawn point (not yet functional)
Health Management Tips
Always Carry Food
Keep cooked food in your hotbar for emergencies
Cook Raw Meat
Use furnaces to cook porkchops and fish before eating
Avoid High Falls
Falls over 13 blocks are lethal at full health
Watch Oxygen
Surface before oxygen bar depletes underwater
Lava is Deadly
Lava damage is extremely high - avoid at all costs
Stock Mushroom Stew
Best healing food (5 hearts)
Health Display
The health bar is displayed in the game HUD:- 10 heart icons representing 160 total HP
- Oxygen bar appears above health when underwater
- Hearts decrease as health is lost
- Visual feedback for damage and healing
Source Code References
Health mechanics are implemented in:- Health constants:
source/network/server_interface.h:189-190 - Damage system:
source/network/server_local.c:600-638 - Oxygen mechanics:
source/entity/entity_local_player.c:219-224 - Food items:
source/item/items/item_*.c