Java Edition:Torch on Invalid Block

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Torches, redstone torches, and soul torches are intended to only be placed on blocks that can support them. There has been many methods in the past that allow torches to be obtained on invalid blocks.

Obtaining

Fast Graphics Leaves

From Infdev 20100616-1808 to Beta 1.5_01, torches could be placed on leaves if the graphics setting was on 'Fast' (leaves are solid). The player cannot place torches on leaves if their graphics are set to 'Fancy' (leaves are see through).

Invalid Support

Many blocks over the years blocks have accidentally allowed both torches and redstone torches and many other blocks to attach to them.

Beta 1.2 Floating Torch

In Beta 1.2 placing a torch against a unsupportable block adjacent to a valid supporting block or against the ceiling next to a supporting block would allow torch to float on any block including air or itself.

For regular torches they break theirselves after some time, redstone torches will stay but will be deleted after 14w25b (1.8 Snapshot).

Wall Redstone Torch

In the first snapshot of 1.5, 13w01a, hanging redstone torches were able to float when the block they are attached to was removed, as long as they had a block underneath them.^[1]

4 redstone torches hanging on air

1.8 Floating Torch

In 14w25a - 14w32d (1.8 snapshots) placing a torch against a unsupportable block adjacent to a valid supporting block would allow the torch to float on any block including air or itself.^[2]

Another method in 14w25a - 14w25b can be done by placing on the ceiling next to a valid supporting block. In these snapshots structures containing torches floating similarly as well.^[3]

These torches can be used to create a Half Bed (Block) by placing a bed underneath them.

Floating torch created by placing on invalid block
Floating torch created by placing it ceiling

Sticky Piston

In 1.13-pre6 pulling a block that normally is destroyed when pushing it with a sticky piston, destroys it without updating nearby blocks, including attached blocks like torches.

Generic Multiblock Methods

In addition to torch specific methods, there are several powerful methods that are used to make many multiblock discontinued features that also work to get torches on invalid blocks. Update suppression, update skipping, skull replacement, Exit Portal Removal, the less_interaction_updates vote in 23w13a_or_b, chunk savestating, and chunk regeneration can all be used to get torches on invalid blocks.