Quick answer: Minecraft Java Edition 26.4 Snapshot 5 did not announce an Ice Ball damage nerf or buff. The latest clearly documented baseline in the official Snapshot 3 notes is 4 damage (2 hearts) on a hit, with damage scaling down as the projectile loses velocity. Snapshot 5’s published changes focus on Packed Ice Bricks, an advancement, ice ambience, a Windows video option, and bug fixes—not a listed Ice Ball damage adjustment.
That distinction matters if you saw an Ice Ball hit for less damage during a test. Projectile speed, the target’s remaining health, armor or other combat conditions, and differences between Java snapshots and Bedrock previews can make a quick test misleading. Here is what the published notes actually confirm.
What Snapshot 5 changed—and what it did not
Mojang published Minecraft 26.4 Snapshot 5 on October 20, 2026. Its headline additions are Packed Ice Bricks and the “What Goes Around Comes Around” advancement for defeating a Frostbite with an Ice Ball. The notes also describe ambient ice sounds and the experimental “Prefer DXGI Present” setting on supported Windows systems.
There is no Ice Ball damage value change listed in those Snapshot 5 notes. That does not prove no undocumented behavior or bug exists in every build; it means the official changelog does not support claiming a confirmed nerf or buff.
Ice Ball damage: the confirmed number
| Question | What the official notes say |
|---|---|
| Baseline damage | 4 damage points, equal to 2 hearts |
| Does speed matter? | Yes. Damage scales down as the Ice Ball loses velocity |
| Did Snapshot 5 announce a rebalance? | No Ice Ball damage adjustment is listed |
| Does every hit necessarily deal 4 damage? | No. The notes explicitly say damage scales with velocity |
The original Java Snapshot 3 changelog describes Ice Balls as projectiles used by Frostbites. They deal damage and knockback, break on impact with a block or entity, and lose damage as velocity drops. Read the official Java Snapshot 3 notes for the original feature description.
Why your Ice Ball may appear weaker
1. The projectile has lost speed
This is the key mechanic documented by Mojang: Ice Ball damage scales down with velocity. A hit at a different distance or under different movement conditions may not produce the same result. Do not treat one low-damage hit as proof that the base damage was reduced.
2. You are comparing different editions or preview builds
Java snapshots and Bedrock Preview builds are separate test tracks. Before comparing numbers, confirm the edition, version number, world settings, and target. A number reported for one build should not automatically be presented as a Java Snapshot 5 change.
3. The test was not controlled
For a useful comparison, use the same target type and difficulty, remove avoidable combat variables, record the exact build, and repeat each test several times. Compare close-range and longer-range hits separately. If possible, record the target’s health before and after each impact rather than estimating from the animation.
How to test Ice Ball damage in Snapshot 5
- Open the Minecraft Launcher and select the exact 26.4 snapshot you want to test.
- Back up your world first, or create a separate test world. Snapshots are experimental and may cause world or compatibility problems.
- Use the same target and settings for every trial.
- Test a close-range throw and a longer-range throw separately, because velocity affects damage.
- Record the build number and health change for multiple hits. Do not combine Java and Bedrock results in one data set.
- Check the official changelog again before calling a result a nerf or buff.
Snapshot installation instructions are available from the official Snapshot 5 announcement. Mojang warns that testing versions can corrupt worlds, so use a backup or a separate installation.
What the new advancement means for Ice Ball combat
Snapshot 5 adds the “What Goes Around Comes Around” adventure advancement, earned by killing a Frostbite with an Ice Ball. That gives players a reason to keep Ice Balls and use them offensively instead of treating them only as incoming projectiles. It is an advancement change—not evidence of a damage rebalance.
Frostbites can use Ice Balls at range and apply the Freezing effect through melee attacks. When testing combat, keep those two threats separate: an Ice Ball hit and a Frostbite melee attack are different mechanics. The official changelog is the safest reference for what a snapshot actually changed.
Verdict: nerfed or buffed?
Neither is confirmed for Snapshot 5. The documented baseline is 4 damage (2 hearts), with damage decreasing as the projectile loses velocity. Snapshot 5 does not list an Ice Ball damage change. If you notice a different result in-game, treat it as a test result that needs reproducing—not a confirmed patch-note change—until Mojang documents it or repeatable testing establishes what is happening.
For related winter-drop coverage, see our Minecraft Switch 2 visual guide and check the Minecraft News blog for more update coverage.
Frequently asked questions
How much damage does a Minecraft Ice Ball do?
The official Java Snapshot 3 notes list 4 damage points, or 2 hearts, and state that damage scales down with velocity.
Did Minecraft Snapshot 5 nerf Ice Balls?
No nerf is documented in the official 26.4 Snapshot 5 changelog. The published notes do not list an Ice Ball damage adjustment.
Can Ice Ball damage change with distance?
Damage scales down as the projectile loses velocity, so hits under different travel conditions can deal different damage.
Is the same number guaranteed in Bedrock Preview?
Do not assume every Java snapshot and Bedrock Preview behaves identically. Check the exact edition and build and test them separately.
Is Snapshot 5 safe for my main world?
Use a backup or a separate test world. Mojang warns that snapshot versions can corrupt worlds.
By Shivam Das | Minecraft News. Updated October 27, 2026. This guide distinguishes official patch-note statements from unconfirmed player observations.
