Many of us are familiar with branch mining, in which you mine in successive, long pathways in several layers in search of diamonds and other resources, in this manner:
( is revealed areas, is not)
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] []
As you can see, the resource yield is very high, leaving only a few spaces empty. But, for those resource maniacs (such as myself) who would like to get every single possible ore in a certain area, I suggest this alternative:
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] []
Using the three blocks taken in mining out the corridor, craft a slab and place it down. Doing this increases the resource yield to 100% of ores in an area.
You do realize that the chance of an ore vein only appearing in one block is almost zero? I don't think this method is very efficient. By the time you've done this method, you could have made a regular branch mine that is 1/3 longer, and just have ignored that ridiculously small chance that you missed maybe ONE block of diamond or iron.
Thus also ensuring no mobs spawn in your tunnels unexpectedly.
Smart.
Sorry to double post, but again, I thought there was an area requirement of two blocks for a mob to be able to spawn? I didn't think they could spawn in 1x2 hallways to begin with.
Nice idea, but I think i'll pass on it. I have only ever seen 2 or 3 completely straight veins, and mining 50% more blocks would cause a loss of efficiency. While this is a nice idea, seeing as you get total coverage (and no mob spawns), I'll stick with my 1x2 tunnels.
... why is it necessary to place the halfblock, other than no mobs spawning? I don't know about you, but I prefer light to stop mobs from spawning. It works, and that way I can see.
Plus, by making the halfblocks, you use up like 1/3 of the cobblestone you mine.
(
As you can see, the resource yield is very high, leaving only a few spaces empty. But, for those resource maniacs (such as myself) who would like to get every single possible ore in a certain area, I suggest this alternative:
Using the three blocks taken in mining out the corridor, craft a slab and place it down. Doing this increases the resource yield to 100% of ores in an area.
Smart.
Sorry to double post, but again, I thought there was an area requirement of two blocks for a mob to be able to spawn? I didn't think they could spawn in 1x2 hallways to begin with.
YUM YUM YUM!
There's almost no way that there would be any ore in that one block space.
And making the stone slabs takes time and materials, as well.
@abovepost: Awesome.
same 1X2 tunnels, 100 percent coverage.
Nevermind, Ninja.
Plus, by making the halfblocks, you use up like 1/3 of the cobblestone you mine.