What's the point of shelves when stockpiles are objectively better?

[Sythalin]

Yes, there are mods to change this, but we're discussing base game and what people think the thought process was on this because it makes no sense to me.

Example Item: Chewroot
1 shelf = 300 per tile (3 shelf height, 100 max per shelf)
1 stockpile = 400 per tile (4 piles in one tile)

Both shelves and stockpiles can be placed indoors, so why would anyone bother with shelves for non-contruction items? They store less in the same amount of space and cost resources to construct. It's an all around useless storage item in comparison.

[Jaggid Edje]

Shelves built in a line have a bonus shelf unit in between each tile. So a two-tile long shelving unit actually has 9 individual shelves vs. the 8 that a stockpile 2 tiles long would have.

This difference between the two, in favor of shelves, just grows the longer you make them.
A 10 tile long shelving unit has 57 individual shelves vs. 10 tiles of stockpile only having 40 storage spots.

[Paraleo]

somebody is doing some reorganizing now xD

[Kelreena]

The other reason for shelves is stockpiles, when built on top of a foundation, is damn hard to actually click on, as the system keeps thinking I'm clicking on the foundation.

or it could just be me, I play a lot while on edibles..... :)

[Francesco]

great points Jaggid Edgje and Kelreena. clicking on that stockpile takes some pinpoint targetting on my flooring

[TALONI]

go shelf once you get a roof area. It really save space and separate the construction material from food & crafting materials.

[sinusoid2]

I am seeing 500 stone stacked on 1 tile of stockpile as I type this.

[Sythalin]

Originally posted by sinusoid2:

I am seeing 500 stone stacked on 1 tile of stockpile as I type this.

Stone cannot be placed on shelves, so it's moot to this.

[sinusoid2]

It is moot to the 300 vs 400 yes, but not to the whole point of the question. You have to separate what kind of material can be stored on each one and they each have their bonuses. For large/bulky objects the stockpile is better, for smaller objects the shelves are better, so build both and control what goes on them for best use of space

[Paraleo]

anyway the fridges might hold more than the shelves for perishables, later when u get electricity, but never did the math tho if u fill the same space with 3 refrigerators lets say and the same space with shelves in a straight line.

[Sythalin]

Originally posted by Paraleo:

anyway the fridges might hold more than the shelves for perishables, later when u get electricity, but never did the math tho if u fill the same space with 3 refrigerators lets say and the same space with shelves in a straight line.

Or be a Rimworld player and have a freezer room.

[Paraleo]

that is where that is coming from xD? but seriously its 18 happiness debuff for anyone entering that room "freezing cold", and probably in time you ll have more flu epidemics than usual.
Depends on the map tho and at what temp you will keep that. But if u play on saltu that might not be good to use for sure since all of your people will be in summer clothes even delivering stuff there will make them unhappy.

[Jaggid Edje]

Originally posted by sinusoid2:

It is moot to the 300 vs 400 yes, but not to the whole point of the question. You have to separate what kind of material can be stored on each one and they each have their bonuses. For large/bulky objects the stockpile is better, for smaller objects the shelves are better, so build both and control what goes on them for best use of space

Construction materials (except Carbon nanotubes) are a special exception to storage. They do not use slots in stockpiles, they use entity stack limits instead. It's an entirely different value than slots and stack size, and is unique to construction materials.

Shelves cannot hold construction materials and they are the only exception for this. it is indeed entirely moot and not relevent.