User:Simons Mith/Basic Construction

''Author's notes: In general, listing materials is a waste of time in my view. Unless a project specifically needs a particular block type, don't waste the time mentioning it. The exception applies under aesthetics, where it might be helpful to list block combinations that work well together, and possibly ones to avoid as well. Beyond that, don't bother. --82.69.54.207 13:43, 30 July 2012 (UTC)'''

This page discusses the first few useful things you are likely to build in Minecraft. These objects are rarely more than 30-60 blocks in size, and may be much smaller. They don't generally need floorplans, but sometimes an illustration may be helpful to demonstrate the clever way a particular block has been used. These items are usually made with common materials such as cobblestone, dirt or wood.

Basic construction also includes some simple mechanisms such as 'roads', manual farms and possibly some mob spawning systems. Many of these designs already have their own pages anyway.

In most Survival mode games there is a constant need for 'utility' structures, so even when you are fully established you will probably still need to build these things from time to time.

Once you start to collect materials like glowstone dust, redstone and obsidian, or if you are playing in Creative mode, look at the User:Simons_Mith/Intermediate Construction page to see some further building suggestions.


 * Basic construction (No plans needed)
 * Intermediate construction (Plans useful)
 * Advanced construction (Plans essential, but you have to make your own)

Draft headers (order of headers subject to review):


 * Tutorial Guidelines
 * Writing guidelines for the construction tutorials themselves

Intermediate level stuff is being collated here as well for now.


 * Aesthetics
 * Making the things you build attractive
 * Building styles

Rustic; Castle; Jungle; Industrial; Medieval; Horror; Green;


 * Castles
 * Farming
 * Almost every renewable resource in the game can be farmed (some intermediate)
 * Automatic farming (intermediate)
 * Grinders
 * Automatic ways of killing large numbers of mobs (intermediate)
 * Landmarks
 * Beacons – some tips for absolute novices
 * Lighting
 * Lighting tips
 * Mining
 * Basic mining techniques
 * Quarries – mining on an industrial scale
 * Parks and Gardens

Mazes; Greenhouse; Shed; Formal garden; Hidden garden; Hedges; Flower beds; Water features; Widely spaced trees; Orchards;

Tree fences (prot. against deer))


 * Redstone
 * Trivial redstone for absolute beginners
 * Roads
 * Design tips and examples for roads, canals and railways
 * Roofs
 * Basic roof types
 * Simple decorative refinements for roofs
 * Roof construction guidelines
 * Curved roofs (intermediate)
 * Shelters
 * Ships and Boats (probably intermediate)
 * Walls (wip)
 * Stair rail, dado rail, wainscot – termininology for the parts of a wall
 * Windows (wip)
 * Oriel window, clerestory window – a partial list of window terminology

Cut and pasted content from the Tutorials/construction page:

Mountain marking
A simple way to mark a spot, if it is next to mountains, is to put some torches on the top.

Statue
Statues, especially big ones, can be used to indicate a certain spot.

Things needed:
 * Cobblestone or stone. They are a preferred building material, but wool or blocks of gold can be used as well.
 * Optionally, Glass blocks or panes.
 * Signs. Again, it is optional, but it may be used to tell which statue is which, if you want to build many statues.


 * 1) Start by making the base of your statue. 10x10 should do.
 * 2) Place the blocks to make up the figure you want. It can be from Creepers to Slimes, from Busts to full sized, be creative in making your statues!
 * 3) Mark the statue with a sign. Again, it is optional.

Navigational Towers and Lighthouses
Navigational towers and lighthouses can be created to help you find your way home after a trip to say, the beach. You'll need at least enough of some kind of block to make a tower of your desired height, a light source, and enough ladders to climb that tower.


 * 1) Start by using the Pillar jumping method to create a tower, it is recommended that you use a more stable material, such as Cobblestone. This tower should be built to your desired tower height. Feel free to add a balcony around you, but make sure to leave a hole where you can climb up. If desired, you can add glowstone, a Torch, or a Redstone Torch to the top, otherwise this can be accomplished later.
 * 2) Fall off the side of your tower. As you fall, stick against the tower, and place ladders right below you. If you're not worried about the damage, you can choose to simply fall off, and then place ladders as you climb up to reach the top. If there is water nearby, it's recommended to jump into deeper water.
 * 3) You should now be able to access the tower with ease. If you didn't do so already, place some sort of light source (Glowstone is preferable if you have some) at the top.
 * 4) Other more complicated options are redstone torch blinkers, and even clocks that are attached to Note Blocks.

Lava Pillar
Another useful landmark tool is a lava pillar. Though slightly more costly than a lighthouse, it can be spotted much easier, during day or night. To build one, you need one bucket of lava, and enough materials to build one pillar of your desired height.


 * 1) Dig a 3x3x1 square in the ground. Ensure that the square is walled on all sides.
 * 2) Build a pillar right outside the grid (two blocks away from the center). This one should be made out of a weak and preferably collapsible material such as sand.
 * 3) Once you have reached the desired height, build a two block long walkway directly over the center of the pit.
 * 4) Go back to the pillar and destroy the single connecting block between the block over the center and the pillar.
 * 5) From the pillar, step as far back as you can and place your lava on top of the center block. Then destroy the outer pillar. Bear in mind, this could result in you being set on fire if you touch the lava.
 * 6) You now have a 3x3 column of lava that spans the height of your pillar. Because the lava falls into the 3x3x1 hole you dug in step one, it won't flow outwards, risking damage. If you still feel unsafe, feel free to build walls of glass around the pillar.