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Block
v50.14 · v0.47.05 This article is about the current version of DF.Note that some content may still need to be updated. |
A block is a type of building material and more architecturally efficient than their non processed counterparts. A unit of raw material can be shaped into 4 pieces of blocks, lighter yet each works just as well in constructions. This makes blocks especially useful when floors and walls are concerned.
Stone, wood, glass, ceramic, and metal can all be worked into blocks respectively in a mason's workshop, a carpenter's workshop, a glass furnace, a kiln, and a forge. Certain types of blocks are also labelled differently based on types of raw material used, a ceramic block is called a "brick"; a metal block is known as a "bar"; and uniquely, a adamantine block is a identified as a "wafer".
As mentioned above, blocks can also be used in place of raw stone or wooden logs in roads, bridges, workshops and constructions. When a non processed material was used instead, it will be described as "rough", while the blocks variants are not given that adjective. However, a single block is required in order to build a well, screw pump, or ashery.
Even though blocks are quite useful in terms of construction, they cannot replace other functions of the raw material. Stone blocks cannot be used for making furniture or craft goods, tools such as pots or jugs, mechanisms, or catapult ammunition. Wooden blocks can't be used to make furniture, craft goods, tools, siege weapon components, ballista arrowheads, crossbow bolts, and can't be burned at a wood furnace. Metal blocks can't be used for metalsmith forge jobs but can be melted down at a smelter.
Blocks vs. rocks
The clearest distinction between a building built with a boulder and building built with a stone block is that more buildings can be built of blocks, as each stone produces four blocks. Note that this does not apply to wood, glass, or ceramic blocks/bricks, which are only made in sets of 1; metal blocks are made in sets of 1, but since you get 4 bars at a time from smelting ore, the end result is equivalent to stone.
Blocks have less volume and thus weigh much less than raw forms of construction materials - stone blocks weigh only 6% as much as a boulder, and wooden blocks weigh 12% as much as the log from which they are carved. This weight difference can dramatically reduce hauling time, especially if you are using large amounts of materials. Forming metal bars into blocks makes no difference in regards to weight, though it does simplify the tracking of resources - if you use metal bars to build workshops and constructions, your stocks screen will still list them in the summary view, potentially misleading you into believing you have more available bars than you actually have.
Building a bridge out of blocks instead of rocks also cuts the building time by two thirds, independent of clearing and hauling time. This difference in building time presumably extends to other buildings and constructions where you can choose between blocks and rocks. The appearance of bridges and paved roads will be different depending on whether blocks or rocks are used. The use of blocks is indicated by the floor tile +, and the use of rocks is indicated by a rough ground tile ≈.
Unlike raw stone or wood, up to 10 blocks can be stored in each bin in bar/block stockpiles. This also can improve hauling time between stockpiles. A minecart can carry up to 83 blocks.
Blocks are more valuable than rocks. Blocks have a base value of 5, compared to the raw material value of 3 for stone, wood or glass. Metal bars already have a base value of 5.
Metal ores and economic stone will still produce multiple stone blocks if cut in a mason's workshop. However, this breaks use for any purpose other than building and strange moods, such as reactions: blocks of flux cannot be used for making pig iron or steel, nor can blocks of ore be smelted into metal (without modding reactions). Note that "filler" blocks of raw adamantine are excellent for increasing artifact value without wasting too much adamantine on legendary doors, tables, etc.
"Block" in other Languages 
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