Tutorials/Shelter types

Navigation Help
For ease of navigation, it is suggested that you use the "Contents" above to navigate through the shelters. This makes the page mush easier to use.

Organization
These shelters are organized by how long it would take to build them. Obviously, these can vary, depending on how detailed you make it.

Note that a day only includes the daytime portion, and not the night. Also, material collection time is not included.

Nomadic: Easiest type of shelter to build. Doesn't offer much protection, especially from creeper attacks. These are generally the type you would build while the sun is setting. Time: Almost none.

Easy: These usually work with the map. They offer some protection. Time: 1/2 day.

Medium: These are freestanding structures. They offer a good amount of protection. Time: 1 day.

Hard: These structures can be very time-consuming to make. However, they offer a great amount of protection. Time: 2-10 days.

Innovative: Although these structures are the toughest to build, they do not always offer the most protection. They focus on feats of engineering. Time: ???.

Cliff-side Cave
Matrials


 * None

Description

A cliff-side cave is probably the most popular shelter for the first night. It takes only a few seconds to make, and once inside, the creator is safe to expand it. It also offers good protection against most mobs (excluding creepers - they can blow up your rock walls).

Location

The best part of this shelter is that you can build it anywhere there's a cliff. Make sure there's a solid wall (preferrably straight up). Mining down does not make a good shelter.

Consruction

Construction is extremely simple. Mine a 2x2x1 hole in the wall. Then enter the hole and close it off. From there, you want to start mining deeper that way.

Extras


 * Torches
 * Mine extension
 * Link to an above-ground base

Treehouse
Materials


 * 80 wooden planks

Description

Treehouses provide a high base. They are useful especially against creepers, because most are too high for a creeper's explosion to reach. They are often used with a bow and arrows, because they are excellent sniping spots. Another advantage to treehouses is that they are a great lookout point. They give you a good view of the map, helping you find the place for your next shelter.

Location

Treehouses are built in the trees. The best treehouses are in the tallest trees - but be careful. The taller the tree you pick, the more stairs you will have to build in order to reach your shelter.

Construction

The first thing you will build when constructing a treehouse is the staircase. Without a staircase, you cannot reach the treehouse. The amount of stairs you build will vary depending on the height of the tree you are building in. Make these stairs and place them. Remember to place wooden planks under the stairs to support them. (Not only does this make them easier to build, it also makes the staircase look better.)

Now you should have a staircase that leads to the top of the tree. Climb this staircase and lay down a 4x5 base of wooden planks. One common practice is to remove a layer of leaves and then build the base. This maintains the same level as you would have had without a base.

Next, build a layer of outer walls. These should only cover the border. To be economical, you could skip the corners, as they are not necessary. Build two more layers on each of these.

Now you will construct a roof. Don't add another border level; this was compensated for in the last step. Instead, fill in the top border with wooden planks. This roof should block out most of the light - look in the "Extras" section for ways to counter this.

Extras


 * Staircase to top
 * Window
 * Treehouse link - Multiple treehouses linked together. Best if treehouse is built in a forest.