User:Smirkenbowls/FAQ

This page sums up a large amount of questions, along with accurate answers. If you cannot find your problem on this page, or here (if it's an Alpha-related question), feel free to ask around on the Forums.

= FAQ =

Q: How can I get a custom skin for my character?

 * A: To use a custom skin you must first pre-purchase the game. You can then go to the Preferences page, download the reference skin, edit it to your liking and finally upload your customized skin. You should now appear with your new look whenever you play.

Q: Can the water level change?

 * A: In short, no. The surface level of water in creative mode is set by the level of the ocean border surrounding a map. Water will fill any adjacent empty space and even a single water block acts as an infinite source that is capable of flooding everything at or below its height. Some custom multiplayer servers allow players to "build" both active and static water blocks, and it is also possible to add water to your own maps by using an editor.


 * In survival mode water acts in a slightly more realistic way and cannot create infinite floods. Water will drain downwards when filling a space below it and finite springs can occur throughout the landscape, above ground and below, that will dry up if their source is blocked up.

Q: What are the controls?

 * A: See Controls. The controls can be found beneath the creative mode gameplay window and are customizable from the pause menu (accessible by pressing Escape). In Alpha, the "Controls..." menu can be found in the "Options..." menu. By default, these are W=forward, A=left, S=reverse, D=right, Space=jump, Left Shift=sneak, I=inventory, T=talk/chat, Q=drop item, Esc=cancel. A two-button mouse is required for mouselook. In general, hold left mouse button to destroy blocks, right-click to place blocks.

Q: How can I drop a stack of items?

 * A: You can drop a stack of items by picking it up in the inventory screen and then closing the inventory screen. The stack of items you were holding will be dropped.

Q: How do I save and reload my position (spawn point)?

 * A: When you join a server your spawn location is the default that the admin set. To change this, press Enter. This will save your current location so that whenever you press R you will respawn at this location instead of the server default.

Q: How do you make plants grow? They keep disappearing on me.

 * A: They must be planted on top of a dirt square and be in direct sunlight to live. Wheat will also die when it is trampled by mobs.

Q: Why does my building collapse / get destroyed on its own?

 * A: Sand and gravel blocks are subject to gravity - see below. New players not aware of this peculiarity may be confused and assume it is a glitch, or even a case of griefing, though that's not the case. It is worth noting that in custom multiplayer servers the "physics" behaviour of gravel and sand may be turned off, meaning they will not sink as normal. Beware, though - a server Op may turn the physics on later with potentially disastrous results for your work!

Q: Are the tiles affected by gravity?

 * A: Sand and gravel tiles will pour and sink into any empty space dug directly underneath them. All other solid tiles - dirt, stone, glass etc. - are not affected by gravity.

Q: Do the small plants grow into full trees?

 * A: Yes. They require a light, grassy area and some space. However, multiplayer servers may turn off the ability for trees to grow to prevent griefing.

Q: How do I play an external map in Survival Mode?

 * A: You have to replace the contents (if any) of one of the 5 worlds you are allowed to have which are located in:
 * Windows: \users\%username%\appdata\roaming.minecraft\saves\
 * Linux: /home/[username]/.minecraft/saves/
 * Mac: /Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves/

Q: Who is this Notch guy I keep hearing about?

 * A: Notch is Minecraft's creator and developer. You can read about him here.