Competition Advice

If anybody is seeking advice particular to the building competition I am running, you may post screenshots here. I will give any advice you ask for.

Hey Sharnan is there anything i need to add to my town? i have a successful wall, a trading post, a watchtower and a farm...Also, have you got any info of how to trust people in your town so they wont turn on you and grief you?

BennyBoy579

Ben,

What kind of town is it? For example, does it specialise in trading? Does it have markets? Is it a port town with a dock and fishing boats? Is it heavily fortified, to deter enemies? Is it a military town? Is it peaceful? Are there garden areas? Do you have houses? Are there streets and roads? These questions help to give your town character and identity. No place in history was famous for having a wall, a trading post, a tower, and a farm. I will be visiting the server very soon and I will give you direct advice there. If there is anything you do not understand, please let me know so that I can help you understand.

As I browse your town, these are the things I suggest: Connect your roads better; I should not have to jump once when navigating a town. For example, I have to jump over a hedge to reach the gate. Make sure hills have stairs or steps on the paths, and that every place can be accessed via a road or path. There are many random blocks of dirt, gravel, and sand around the place that have no purpose. There is a water feature near the north wall. Either improve it or remove it, as it looks like an accident. There is a raised pathway supported by sand. Sand does not make a good pillar, and it looks very odd. Perhaps use a different material. The homes themselves are mostly fine; most of them match in style and material. The log building in the corner beside the gate is obviously not finished. The sand floor and levitating second floor look very strange. The watchtower itself has a good base, but there is nowhere to hide from arrows. Make some walls and perhaps a roof, so it can be used efficiently. I do not understand the sandstone building in the corner. Please change it or make it clear what its purpose is. I am not sure why the ground is covered in leaves. Is it meant to look as though the ground is literally covered in leaves? Your town hall looks good on the inside, but the inside is plain cobblestone. Use some different materials and add some other architectural features, such as columns or an overhang.

As to town members, are they people you know? If you do not know them, do not add them. If you know them but they are the type of person who will troll their friends, do not add them. Ensure all your town members have read the rules at spawn and have a rules board in your town explicitly stating what they can and can not do in your town.

I hope this helps.

To Sharnan

Not sure how/where to put certain things my castle...
I'm planning on adding a smith, dining hall+kitchen, small farm and a few small buildings.
The circular towers restrict some placements and I'm not sure about what half of the courtyard covered would look. As most levels inside the keep are filled I'm having a few difficulties.
Any advice on this would be very appreciated as it is a key building!

Commander

Commander,

I trust you read my description of castle rooms and features? Most of the layout in terms of what leads to what is logic; a main hall leads to a dining hall, which in turn leads to a kitchen, which would lead to the farm. The main hall would also lead to the barracks, which would lead to the armoury, which may lead to a blacksmith outside. The farm and blacksmith may lead to the courtyard. I trust you see the circle pattern here, but keep in mind that this is only a guide.

Do not be tempted to make everything symmetrical. It is not worth sacrificing functionality for aesthetics. Of course, if you desire symmetry, you have a larger challenge on your hands. Otherwise I think enclosing portions of the courtyard may look fine. You could enclose the flanking portions and have a front and rear yard, or enclose all but the front courtyard. Chew into your circular towers (I'm sure OMG will help) so that you have room for other rooms.

Let me know if this helps. If you need more advice, just ask.

Emperor Sharnan.