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I have spent several hours essentially moving a large mountain, and I am not even halfway done. I tried TNT, but it's hard to be precise with TNT. I ended up just making a big mess with that. I'm satisfied where I am now, but I will need to make this area flat eventually so I can have more space to build. I got to where I am using diamond tools (and a ton of patience), but I'm out of diamonds now. What is the best method for flattening out land? By best, I mean most efficient.

I can't wait until we get enchanting! Diamond tools with good efficiency enchantments are amazingly fast and would be so helpful!

Ugh, I'm with you. I just flattened out a huge plane for my new build, but I'm still faced with huge walls encasing the plane. Pretty soon I'll have to start again...

Well, obviously diamond tools are best, but I find that stone tools are great, too, since you're constantly digging up a ton of cobble.

TNT requires too much added work, for me.

I say just play your xbox while surfing the web, or watching youtube or something, that way you dont really get bored just holding the trigger all day long.

Quote from Drifts115

Ugh, I'm with you. I just flattened out a huge plane for my new build, but I'm still faced with huge walls encasing the plane. Pretty soon I'll have to start again...

Well, obviously diamond tools are best, but I find that stone tools are great, too, since you're constantly digging up a ton of cobble.

TNT requires too much added work, for me.

I'll never run out of stone so I guess stone tools are a possibility. They are significantly slower though. I'll probably move to iron first because I have a good amount of that too. Maybe I'll just go branch mining again for more diamonds. Also I agree, TNT seems to just be more work. I think it's meant for just detonating for fun rather than using it to clear land.

Quote from DestroyTheBlocks

I say just play your xbox while surfing the web, or watching youtube or something, that way you dont really get bored just holding the trigger all day long.

I don't usually get too bored for some reason. Either I'm easily amused, I have a lot of patience, or a little of both. I'm usually on youtube so I guess having that in the background will make my experience a little more enjoyable.


Thanks, you two!

Use Stone tools, as previously mentioned, if you are going to down multiple mountains and hills. For small stuff, use Iron and Diamond.

well if it is stone then TNT is actually very predictable. Dig 3 blocks in, place tnt at the end, set it going and replace the end block of the 3 (the first you dug out) this will blow out a 3x3 square 4 deep. it only gets slightly out of sorts when you get gravel etc, and honestly even then its still much quicker just be careful on any "edges"

I am flattening out a huge area right now and I've just been using stone tools. I also like to use Creepers as well. Might as well get some use out of them SOB's.

The fastest and easiest way to flatten a large area in minecraft is to invite some friends and just go at it!

Stone tools + friends that can help you out.

You can connect your Ipod to your xbox and play music, if the music is in ACC format.

other than that, I would save all other types of tools for more important things.

before u use the tnt make sure its 3 high up this way it doesnt blow up lower than what u plan.

Quote from paspinall

well if it is stone then TNT is actually very predictable. Dig 3 blocks in, place tnt at the end, set it going and replace the end block of the 3 (the first you dug out) this will blow out a 3x3 square 4 deep. it only gets slightly out of sorts when you get gravel etc, and honestly even then its still much quicker just be careful on any "edges"

I dismissed using TNT on stone because you can get rid of a 3x3x3 area faster and more efficiently by just using a pick axe.

Quote from Drifts115

I dismissed using TNT on stone because you can get rid of a 3x3x3 area faster and more efficiently by just using a pick axe.

On solid stone, I've found digging a hole in the middle of a 3x3 four blocks deep, then placing the tnt on the third block in will about fifty percent of the time clear out a 3x3x5 chunk. The other fifty percent of the time will leave from one to three corner blocks to clean up. This is quick.

meh, i use mcedit. Then again... Im on pc

Quote from Drifts115

I dismissed using TNT on stone because you can get rid of a 3x3x3 area faster and more efficiently by just using a pick axe.

TNT is more fun, and being entertained should make the time fly faster. Party chat also helps with staying entertained enough to do it. Leveling out an area is repetitive and makes it perfect for listen to someone or something and zoning out.

Clearing large amounts of land can be a pain. Just keep those stone picks and shovels coming. TNT is faster if you have access to enough of it.

I like how those of us who prefer to do things without using shortcuts are "crazy". I prefer to think of it as taking pride in a build.

Thanks for the TNT tips everyone! I never knew exactly how many blocks TNT would destroy, so now I can comfortably use TNT and still get some precision.

Also, I will be saving my diamond tools from now on. I don't know why I never thought to save them. Stone tools are slower, but I'll never run out of them.

It seems I am quite crazy haha. I've duped a bit in other worlds, but I swore to myself that I wouldn't do it in this world. It really is more fun and rewarding. I have nothing against it, but I'm not doing it for personal reasons.

Thanks for all of your help everyone! I'm always open to more suggestions if anyone has some.

Clearing land is always part of a build. You can't build something without making the lot the way you want it first. That's really not what my point was though.