Minecraft Bedrock’s ongoing preview cycle keeps reshaping mobs players thought they understood, and the Sulfur Cube is the latest example. Long-time Bedrock players are noticing something different: the Sulfur Cube no longer attacks on sight, no longer makes noise while roaming, and behaves in ways that feel closer to a passive block than a threat. The change isn’t a glitch. Mojang confirmed it directly in the Minecraft Preview 26.40.30 patch notes, and it fits into a broader pass on how sulfur-related blocks and mobs interact with the world.
Here’s what actually changed, why it happened, and what else moved alongside it.
Sulfur Cube Hostility Removed in Bedrock Preview
The most significant shift is behavioral, not cosmetic.
Mojang removed the Sulfur Cube from the game’s hostile mob classification entirely. Previous versions treated the Sulfur Cube as an aggressive entity that would engage players on sight, similar to other volatile Nether-adjacent creatures. That’s gone now. Players exploring sulfur-heavy terrain no longer need to treat every Sulfur Cube encounter as a fight.
Sulfur Cube Step Sounds Removed
Alongside the hostility change, the Sulfur Cube lost its step sounds.
Earlier builds gave the Sulfur Cube distinct audio cues while it moved, which doubled as an early warning system for players nearby. With those sounds removed, the mob now travels without announcing itself audibly, which lines up with its new non-aggressive role since players no longer need an audio cue to brace for an attack.
Sulfur Cube No Longer Absorbs Redstone Lamps or Observers
One of the more mechanically relevant changes involves redstone interaction.
The Sulfur Cube can no longer absorb redstone lamps or observers. Mojang’s own patch notes point to the likely explanation: these components are classified as redstone blocks, and the absorption mechanic appears to have been tuned to exclude that category specifically.
Sulfur Cube Projectile Deflection Explained
The Sulfur Cube’s projectile interaction also got more specific.
It now deflects projectiles, but only when it has already absorbed a block. An empty Sulfur Cube won’t bounce arrows or other projectiles the way an absorbed one will. This creates a more predictable interaction for players using ranged weapons around sulfur biomes, since the cube’s defensive behavior now correlates directly with its visible state.
Player and Ender Dragon Projectile Deflection Changes
The Sulfur Cube isn’t the only entity affected by projectile deflection changes in this preview.
Players in creative mode now deflect projectiles as well, and the Ender Dragon deflects projectiles specifically while perching. None of these changes are related to each other mechanically, but they landed in the same preview cycle as part of a wider look at projectile interactions across different entity types.
Potent Sulfur and Polished Sulfur Creative Inventory Order Changed
A smaller, related update touches the creative menu rather than gameplay.
Potent Sulfur is now positioned after Sulfur instead of after Polished Sulfur in the creative inventory, and Polished Sulfur has been moved to sit after Potent Sulfur instead of Sulfur. It’s a minor organizational tweak, but it’s worth knowing if a build order or inventory sort feels off after updating.
Sulfur Spike Sound and Growth Limit Changes
Sulfur Spikes picked up two changes in the same update pass.
They now have dedicated block sounds and events instead of relying on generic audio, and there’s now a set limit on how tall a spike can grow. Previously, spike growth wasn’t capped in the same way, which could lead to unpredictable formations in sulfur-heavy areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sulfur Cube still dangerous in Minecraft Bedrock?
No. As of Preview 26.40.30, the Sulfur Cube is no longer classified as hostile and won’t attack players on sight.
Why can’t my Sulfur Cube absorb redstone lamps anymore?
Mojang’s patch notes attribute this to redstone lamps and observers being classified as redstone blocks, which the Sulfur Cube’s absorption mechanic now appears to exclude.
Does the Sulfur Cube still deflect projectiles?
Yes, but only when it has already absorbed a block. A Sulfur Cube with nothing absorbed won’t deflect incoming projectiles.
Are these changes permanent or preview-only?
These changes are part of the Bedrock Preview 26.40.30 branch, which is an experimental build ahead of the next major update.
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