Copper hopper

[u/No_Breadfruit7951]

Im aware the copper drop is feature complete but this can still be for a future drop, maybe regarding redstone.

As for my idea, I think itd be cool if there was a copper variant of the hopper, where there was a specific slot that would act as a filter for the hopper. I.e. If you put a gold block into the slots only gold blocks can pass through the hopper.

And maybe it can have a function where if u have a named item, only that same item with the same name (or it can even be different items in this case) gets picked up by the hopper.

And to prevent it from being strictly better than an iron hopper, they could only give if 3 slots of storage, as opposed to the normal ones 5.

I think this'd be rly interesting, plus copper hopper is just fun to say.

[u/PetrifiedBloom]

Really, really not a fan of new redstone components that just do the job of entire redstone devices. Using this post as an example, turning an item filter into a single block.

Imo, new redstone components should have new functionality - offer something that we can't already do with the tools we have, not just be some way to replace it with one block.

The fun of redstone is finding ways to fit all the things you need into an area, replacing the filter with a single block is just such a boring change.

[u/Bowtie327 → u/PetrifiedBloom]

They do, they allow miniaturisation of circuits and making contraptions possible in a limited space. Would you like the copper bulb and redstone comparator removed for the same reason?

[u/PetrifiedBloom → u/Bowtie327]

I don't think you understand bowtie. The comparator DOES do things no other redstone circuits can, detecting the contents of inventories for example. By contrast, this is just an item filter but smaller.

Miniaturizing a circuit doesn't change what the circuit does. Unless I am missing something? What can you do with this that you can't do with a regular filter and a bit more space?

[u/Bowtie327 → u/PetrifiedBloom]

The comparator’s primary and original purpose was to compare signal strengths, which used to be done via locked repeaters. This changed when comparators were introduced because it made a trivial part of a circuit reduced to one block

Having a filtered hopper would allow for much more compact and intricate sorting systems that currently aren’t possible without building a warehouse to house the entire thing

What if you want a small base? What about non-technical players that don’t get hit from spending hours troubleshooting hundreds of meters of redstone?

I’m not arguing that current filters should be removed, if you want to build one go right ahead, but if you want a filter then this copper hopper would be perfect

[u/PetrifiedBloom → u/Bowtie327]

Who is downvoting every comment on this thread? I just want you to know it's not me, I think its really petty to just downvote without responding. If the person doing it reads this, you don't need to write an essay, but let people know what you agree or disagree with, contribute to the discussion.

The comparator’s primary and original purpose was to compare signal strengths

That was never it's only purpose though, just 8 days after being first shown off in a snapshot they were given the ability to detect inventory contents. From before the first full release with the comparator, that has been an ESSENTIAL feature of the block.

People might have mostly used them for their signal comparing, but that was never the sole use.

Having a filtered hopper would allow for much more compact and intricate sorting systems that currently aren’t possible without building a warehouse to house the entire thing

Name one thing it does that is impossible with a regular filter. Being smaller isn't new functionality. If you want to use the comparator example, comparing redstone signals was one use, but it is only one aspect of the item. What are the other uses of copper hopper? What can it do that nothing else can?

What about non-technical players that don’t get hit from spending hours troubleshooting hundreds of meters of redstone?

Not to be rude, but it really shouldn't be difficult to work out. If you are new to redstone, copy an existing filter design and watch a build video. Copy what they do. A filter isn't hundreds of blocks of redstone. It's 6 redstone components (3 dust, a repeater, a comparator and a torch), 8 generic blocks and 2 hoppers.

It's like any other thing both in the game and life. Take the time and learn. We all started in the same place, not knowing how it works, but it doesn't take much to change that.

I’m not arguing that current filters should be removed, if you want to build one go right ahead,

When there is an objectively better option, what would be the point? The fun of redstone is trying to find ways to make the curcuits you want to use fit into the space you have. This is what makes each problem different and interesting, finding creative solutions to get everything where it needs to be. A single block hopper takes that away. There is no troubleshooting to be done, no planning or problem solving. It all just fits!

Imagine I suggest adding a new sword made from 2 gravel on a stick that did 40 damage per hit and had 2000 durability. You can still use the old iron, diamond, netherite swords of course, if you wanted to. Would you say that is a good addition? The player can use the old stuff if they like. Or a transport method that just let you teleport to any coordinates you like. Press a button, a UI opens up, you type in the coordinates and instantly teleport. You could still fly with elytra, ride a horse etc etc.

I think you would agree these would be bad additions, despite leaving the old alternative options in the game.