5 Seconds vs 37: A Speed Duel in Minecraft

Hello, experimenters and lovers of crazy ideas! It's me again, and today we're going to conduct a real scientific test on one of the strangest blocks in Minecraft. Of course, I'm talking about powdered snow. The first thought that comes to mind when I see it is: «Here we go again with this cold trap!» But what if we turn it from a problem into a solution? I asked myself: can it be used as a super-safe elevator if we add the Slow Falling effect? Honestly, I expected anything, but the result truly surprised me.

Preparing for the Great Descent

To ensure the experiment's accuracy, I built a perfectly straight tower — or rather, a shaft — made of 10 blocks of powdered snow. Everything was fair: I took off my leather boots to avoid sinking immediately and prepared a stopwatch. The plan was simple: two jumps from the same height. The first — in a normal state, the second — under the effect of a Slow Falling potion. I was mentally and physically ready. Well, almost.

Jump #1: A Cold and Quick Fiasco

So, there I am at the top. I take a deep breath, start the stopwatch, and jump. And you know what? I sank into that snow like a stone in water. The descent was fast, slightly disorienting, and, to be honest, quite unpleasant. The stopwatch recorded exactly 5 seconds before my feet touched the solid ground beneath the snow. Control over the situation — zero. You just fall and hope there's no creeper waiting below.

Jump #2: Zen in a Snow Cloud

And now the most interesting part begins. I drank the Slow Falling potion, felt that familiar lightness, and stepped into the void again. Guys, this was something else! I wasn't falling. I was literally seeping, melting, dissolving into that snow column. I was drifting down with the grace of a snowflake on a windless day. It was so slow that I could have had a cup of tea. The descent took... wait for it... 37 seconds! A full thirty-seven seconds to cover 10 blocks! I felt like I was floating in a cloud, completely in control of the situation.

Pros and Cons of This Crazy Combo

This experiment offers several very practical takeaways.

Pros:

• Absolute safety: This is possibly the safest way to descend from any height. Zero damage, minimal speed.
• Full control: You descend so slowly that you can look around, choose the right moment to exit, or simply meditate.
• Stealth: This «elevator» is perfect for bases where you need to descend unnoticed. No noise, no sudden movements.

Cons:

• Terribly slow: If you're in a hurry, 37 seconds for 10 blocks will feel like an eternity. Definitely not for impatient players.
• Requires preparation: You not only need to find snow but also brew a Slow Falling potion, which requires phantom membranes.
• Incompatibility with elytras: The effect slows down elytra flight, so it can't be used for quick travel.

Want to quickly try this experience? Just enter the command: /effect give <your_name> minecraft:slow_falling 240 1. This will give you the effect for 4 minutes.

My Final Opinion

Honestly, I'm thrilled. This combination turns a dangerous block into an incredibly useful tool for builders and secret base enthusiasts. Yes, it's slow, but the level of control and safety you get is simply phenomenal. It's not just a descent; it's a full-on attraction!

Now it's your turn! Try building something similar in your world. Make the shaft even deeper, add cobwebs, experiment! Send me your clips and share your impressions. I'm sure you'll come up with some crazy idea too.