[MC-90549] Taking damage while gliding applies knockback

The bug

When flying with elytra you can use arrows (or better healing arrows) and a Punch II bow in order to fly forever.

To reproduce

Get a Punch II bow and (healing) arrows
When you want to go higher, try to hit yourself with an arrow to get an high boost

Expected Behavior:

The expected behavior would be that you are not able to receive knockback when gliding with elytra.

Linked issues

is duplicated by 3

MC-91463 The REAL infant Elytra flight glitcj Resolved

MC-92857 Infinite fly with Elytra & bow punch II Resolved

MC-93251 Elytra Resolved

relates to 1

MC-91848 Catching on fire with elytra equipped launches you insanely high Resolved

Comments 20

-- 2015-10-14T16:02:17Z

Still working in 15w42a (is there anyone?)

-- 2015-11-18T17:39:35Z

Still working in 15w47a

Jake Warner 2015-11-19T02:04:58Z

Why should this be "fixed"? It's a lot of fun to use, plus it's not really a bug. It's 100% in the game's mechanics. Punch II is supposed to hit you further, while Elytra keeps you gliding. Changing this would be more of a feature than a bugfix, since they would have to add new behaviors into the game making you "unable to hit yourself with arrows" or "unable to shoot while flying" just to fix a use of the game's already-there mechanics.

[Mod] redstonehelper 2015-11-19T15:11:38Z

You're not supposed to be able to fly indefinite distances: https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/3nuyiz/thread_the_needle/cvs8dou

-- 2015-11-19T17:55:12Z

Anyway, I don't think that the game mechanic is supposed to allow a player to hit himself in the face or in the back and fly up, theorically you have to fly up only if you hit yourself on torso, that I think is impossible to do

10 more comments

Jake Warner 2015-11-29T05:06:13Z

Oh well, at least I tried... I'm gonna miss this feature. ;P

Freyr LePage 2016-04-23T09:54:40Z

This is still possible in 1.9.2 and unless I'm missing something (this is quite possible) that comes after 15w49a, the fix version. Is it going to be 'fixed'? I don't want it fixed, I just want to know if this wonderful gift is going to be taken away.

As far as I'm concerned this is the best thing to happen to minecraft since rails and minecarts.
It's a powerful transport method that requires a lot of skill to pull off, and costs you in stress (having to manage hunger, durability, propulsion, altitude and navigation all at once) and repair. Even with this new ability (which you can only get after you've effectively won minecraft), there are compelling reasons to use slower forms of transport - riding a horse or a minecart requires a lot less effort and attention, and if done through the nether, is almost as fast, if not faster. And it doesn't actually affect any other aspects of gameplay. It's just a means of transport, which most players will probably never use.

[Mod] redstonehelper 2016-04-29T23:38:00Z

@@unknown: Are you playing in vanilla? Please force a crash by holding F3+C for 10 seconds and attach the resulting crash report here.

Freyr LePage 2016-04-30T00:09:48Z

I was using optifine, but apparently it works in vanilla too. (crashdump attached)

[Mod] redstonehelper 2016-04-30T01:34:23Z

Are you pushed upwards or just forwards?

Freyr LePage 2016-04-30T14:40:51Z

Just forwards (whichever direction you are already traveling). But it's easy to convert that into lift and fly forever (other resources permitting).

[Mod] redstonehelper 2016-04-30T22:16:24Z

Reopening, thank you.

[Mod] redstonehelper 2016-05-10T10:11:33Z

https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/4im77m/elytra_punch_ii_bow_tutorial_consistent_flight_no/

Stef Heck 2016-06-27T11:37:39Z

It's because of the knockback: the arrow you shoot is slower than you. As this game involves real life physics sometimes, the speed you fly should be added to the base speed of the arrow. This also fixes why you shoot yourself while walking, riding a minecart or moving with another entity.

I tested while shooting sideways riding a minecart. A friend measured but I was just shooting straight. No forward speed. (First law of Newton!)

Please make Newton happy by adding this mechanic to the game. (The third law could be fun as well, like breaking softer blocks while flying straight into it with Elytra.)

Jeremy 2016-10-16T19:00:25Z

Probably working as intended. This is what Punch II bows do they knockback the player. It makes sense that the same thing would happen when you're flying.

Oval 2018-09-17T02:20:35Z

Confirmed for 1.13.1.

Oval 2020-02-07T13:33:31Z

Confirmed for 20w06a. Please change the reporter to me so I can keep it updated.

Avoma 2020-12-13T16:56:09Z

Can confirm in 20w49a.

Avoma 2021-02-06T17:22:25Z

Can confirm in 21w05b.

Avoma 2021-09-24T15:26:01Z

I am able to confirm this in 21w37a, though this is likely intentional as this is just the player receiving knockback as a result of being damaged. Here are some extra details regarding this problem.

The Bug:

You are able to receive knockback when gliding with elytra.

If the player were to use a bow enchanted with "Punch 2" and shoot themselves with it whilst gliding, they would be able to remain flying without touching the ground for long periods of time.

Steps to Reproduce:

Obtain a potion of harming and equip elytra.
Switch into survival mode and begin flying with the elytra.
Drink the potion of harming.
→ ❌ Notice how you are able to receive knockback when gliding with elytra.

Expected Behavior:

The expected behavior would be that you are not able to receive knockback when gliding with elytra.