Short answer: Minecraft Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 5 did not announce an Ice Ball damage nerf or buff. The published Snapshot 5 notes focus on Packed Ice Bricks, a new advancement for defeating a Frostbite with an Ice Ball, and other fixes. The official Snapshot 3 description lists Ice Balls at 4 damage points (2 hearts) at the stated hit condition, with damage scaling down as projectile velocity falls. Snapshot 5 does not publish a new damage number.
Updated October 27, 2026 · By Shivam Das
Did Snapshot 5 nerf or buff Ice Ball damage?
Neither change is listed in the official Snapshot 5 changelog. Mojang’s October 20, 2026 notes introduce Packed Ice Bricks and the “What Goes Around Comes Around” advancement, which requires defeating a Frostbite with an Ice Ball. The notes do not announce a revised Ice Ball damage value.
That distinction matters: an advancement involving an item is not proof that the item’s damage was changed. Based on the published notes, the accurate headline is that Snapshot 5 leaves the previously documented damage figure unchanged in its changelog—not that Mojang confirmed a fresh balance adjustment.
Ice Ball damage: the exact number to know
| Question | What the published notes say |
|---|---|
| Previously documented Java damage | 4 damage points, equal to 2 hearts |
| Does every hit deal the maximum? | No. Damage scales down with projectile velocity. |
| Snapshot 5 damage adjustment? | No Ice Ball damage change is listed in the official changelog. |
| Can we give a single number for every throw? | No. Impact velocity affects the damage dealt. |
In Minecraft, one heart represents two damage points. So the documented four-point figure equals two hearts of damage at the stated hit condition. Because the projectile loses velocity, a slower impact can deal less. Treat four points as the documented reference value—not a guarantee that every throw removes exactly two hearts.
Why the velocity rule changes the result
Ice Balls are throwable projectiles used by Frostbites. The official description says their damage scales down with velocity, so the result depends on how fast the projectile is moving when it hits. That means a point-blank hit and a projectile that has traveled farther should not automatically be assumed to deal identical damage.
The public Snapshot 5 notes do not provide a velocity-to-damage table, frame-by-frame test results, or a new minimum/maximum range. It would be misleading to invent exact damage values for specific distances. For a practical test, compare hits against the same target in the same world, keep the launch setup consistent, and record health before and after each impact.
What actually changed in Snapshot 5?
Minecraft Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 5 was published on October 20, 2026. Its headline additions include Packed Ice Bricks and their slab, stair, wall, and chiseled variants. It also adds the Adventure advancement “What Goes Around Comes Around,” earned by killing a Frostbite with an Ice Ball.
The advancement is useful for Ice Ball users, but it is a challenge objective—not a damage patch note. The changelog also covers bug fixes, ice ambience, and technical changes. None of those published entries states that Ice Ball damage was increased or reduced.
Java Snapshot vs. Bedrock Preview: don’t mix the numbers
This article’s Snapshot 5 verdict is specifically about Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 5. Bedrock Preview builds have their own version history and can receive different balance changes. Do not use a Bedrock Preview note as proof that Java Snapshot 5 changed the projectile.
For the Java figure, the official Snapshot 3 notes describe Ice Balls as dealing four damage points, with damage scaling down based on velocity. The official Snapshot 5 notes do not replace that number. Since both editions are still in development for this game drop, recheck the latest notes before treating any snapshot value as final-release behavior.
How to test Ice Ball damage yourself
- Launch the same Java snapshot build for every test; do not compare hits across different versions.
- Use the same target type and difficulty settings for each attempt.
- Record the target’s health immediately before and after each impact.
- Repeat with different throw distances while keeping other conditions as consistent as possible.
- Report the build number and test conditions alongside any result, because snapshot behavior can change.
This approach helps separate actual damage changes from differences caused by projectile velocity, target health, or testing conditions.
Frequently asked questions
How much damage does an Ice Ball deal in Java Snapshot 5?
The previously documented reference is 4 damage points, or 2 hearts, and damage scales down with velocity. Snapshot 5 does not list a new damage value.
Was Ice Ball damage nerfed in Snapshot 5?
No nerf is announced in the official Snapshot 5 changelog.
Was Ice Ball damage buffed in Snapshot 5?
No buff is announced in the official Snapshot 5 changelog. The new Ice Ball-related advancement is not a damage adjustment.
Does an Ice Ball always deal two full hearts?
No. The documented damage scales down with velocity, so the actual damage can be lower.
Is the four-point figure guaranteed for the final release?
No. Snapshot builds are development versions. Check the latest official changelog when the full update is released.
Official sources and further reading
- Mojang: Minecraft Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 5 — the October 20 changelog and the Ice Ball advancement.
- Mojang: Minecraft Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 3 — original Ice Ball and Freezing feature notes, including the documented damage behavior.
- Mojang: Minecraft Preview 26.60.29 — the separate Bedrock Preview changelog.
Bottom line: After Java Snapshot 5, there is no officially announced Ice Ball damage nerf or buff. The documented reference remains four damage points (two hearts), with damage scaling down as velocity decreases. The changelog—not the advancement name—is the evidence to use when tracking balance changes.
Image note: The five images above are illustrative Minecraft-related visuals from their linked source pages; they are not five verified Snapshot 5 damage-test screenshots. Review source licensing and reuse permissions before relying on third-party images for commercial publication.