Building is now impossible. Goodbye fun.

[JFKeNn3dy]

I understand this is an alpha experimental build. I also understand this game has been in alpha for HOW MANY YEARS? Why when I remove a single block from the roof of a structure I am building the whole thing comes crashing down. I have built this with MANY supports because in A21 you have to build a support for the building every 4-5 blocks.

This happened twice, if you start building something, you better not make a single change no matter how small. Even removing a block from next to the support pillar with plenty of other blocks keeping it up the whole thing still collapses.

[frisch]

Structure integrity has been in the game for quite some time, I get that the experience might be off putting if you never encountered this previously but I had bases collapse in version that are at least 2 years old because I didn't reinforce the ground properly.

During building when the blocks highlight purple do not put the block down, there're indicators when you're doing too much so you need to pay attention otherwise you'll create a domino effect.

I like it that way honestly, some games don't have building integrity which leads to unrealistic bases built in the air.

Structural Integrity[7daystodie.fandom.com]

[CatPerson]

I haven't noticed any changes to the way SI works in A21, at least vs. A20. eg, haven't had any issues building the way I always build. But I don't tend to build huge or complex shapes/designs.

[Kryzx]

I was frustrated as well when my structures collapse due to being new at the game, but you can learn to mitigate it from your future base building. If I needed to remove a block, I typically would craft a quick frame block and highlight the area around that block to observe the stability in the region. If it was already purple/red (or even a very saturated yellow color since that's the borderline 2nd-to-last block before it crumbles), then I tried to find another way to add a pillar in that area to support it just for precaution.

Another option, especially helpful on non-horde bases you're making: If you haven't fully upgraded your base from the frame blocks or wood blocks, consider upgrading the vertical supports to the next tier (wood->cobblestone/concrete->steel) since those increase the amount of horizontal support. You can place more wood blocks supported with steel block vertical supports, up to 60 wood blocks! Upgrading from wood to cobble/concrete will provide enough support for 16 additional wood blocks (24 total on one support) if you don't have access to a lot of steel yet. Then you can just paint over them however you want and you won't be able to tell the difference anyways!

...or you could just enter the debug menu & turn on the "show stability" option to mitigate all of this (if you have the rights to anyways).

TFP (hell, even a modder) needs to make a tool that gives us the option to see the integrity in the first place. Maybe like a tape measure or a bubble/laser level tool?

[onanonehand8]

In game hit f1 then return then type dm then return. Then hit escape again. On the right side of screen you will have a debug tools box will open. Near the bottom is a check box for structural stability. Check that. Then you can see if your building is in danger of collapse, the nearer to red the greater the chance of collapse.

[Shurenai]

Originally posted by Kryzx:

I was frustrated as well when my structures collapse due to being new at the game, but you can learn to mitigate it from your future base building. If I needed to remove a block, I typically would craft a quick frame block and highlight the area around that block to observe the stability in the region. If it was already purple/red (or even a very saturated yellow color since that's the borderline 2nd-to-last block before it crumbles), then I tried to find another way to add a pillar in that area to support it just for precaution.

Another option, especially helpful on non-horde bases you're making: If you haven't fully upgraded your base from the frame blocks or wood blocks, consider upgrading the vertical supports to the next tier (wood->cobblestone/concrete->steel) since those increase the amount of horizontal support. You can place more wood blocks supported with steel block vertical supports, up to 60 wood blocks! Upgrading from wood to cobble/concrete will provide enough support for 16 additional wood blocks (24 total on one support) if you don't have access to a lot of steel yet. Then you can just paint over them however you want and you won't be able to tell the difference anyways!

...or you could just enter the debug menu & turn on the "show stability" option to mitigate all of this (if you have the rights to anyways).

TFP (hell, even a modder) needs to make a tool that gives us the option to see the integrity in the first place. Maybe like a tape measure or a bubble/laser level tool?

Well, When you're placing blocks you can see the stability of the block you're about to place- Which is pretty close. It's pretty simple math stuff though if you don't mind calculating and counting.

As a quick not-representative-of-a-specific-block example:
Horizontal support = 400
Weight = 40
Result: Can support 10 blocks out from it's horizontal connection points.

Vertical support is effectively infinite as long as there is an unbroken line of blocks between the part you want supported and bedrock

Thing is, Not everyone thinks about all the extra things that add weight. Forge? Weight. Work bench? Weight. Chest? Weight. The player themselves? Weight. Vehicle? Weight.

So if you build that 400/40=10 row of blocks out, and then you go stand on the final block in the row it will collapse- Because with the added weight of the player, it's exceeded the horizontal support of the supporting pillar.


As far as I know, Building SI has not changed in any particular way since Alpha 15. It's been untouched and is basically in it's final state (Doesn't mean bugs can't crop up, though). Some material weights and support values have changed over time, but the actual mechanics behind how it all works is the same as A15, possibly even earlier than that.

Just shy of a year ago I wrote up a post explaining the most important facets of building mechanics, If you're(meaning anyone reading this) having trouble, I'd recommend giving it a read, and watching the video I link there and paying attention to the specific building mechanics of the video not the block support/weight values since the video is from A15.

This is the post in question:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/251570/discussions/0/3371530631540268241/#c3371530631540580882
Make sure to read Comment #7 in the same thread, 2 down from the one I linked directly to as it adds an important extra note.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Shurenai:

Thing is, Not everyone thinks about all the extra things that add weight. Forge? Weight. Work bench? Weight. Chest? Weight. The player themselves? Weight. Vehicle? Weight.

Personally, this is something that has always impressed me about SI in this game.
Other games have a similar version of simplified SI, but the additional weight is not taken into calculations in those games, as you pointed out here.

So it's impressive that this game factors that in, IMO.

[Milkless Tea]

Careful mentioning how long this game has been in alpha for is a death sentence

[Bnn1]

I have no trouble building a structural safe 10x10 hut with 2 or 3 stories. Just need a foundation that has 1 block on each corner, then a support inbetween, and a 1x1 or 2x2 central strut. Idk what yall are doing if your houses collapse.

By chance putting planters in your house and then adding trees to them will wreck the place though, trees have an insane mass.

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by Ben1:

By chance putting planters in your house and then adding trees to them will wreck the place though, trees have an insane mass.

Good tip. Aside from the fact of tress, planters on roof tops has been a common cause of collapse from what many have posted here in the past. Something about the block updating when the plant grows ?

I can't remember now, but good point regardless.

[Kryzx]

Originally posted by Ben1:

I have no trouble building a structural safe 10x10 hut with 2 or 3 stories. Just need a foundation that has 1 block on each corner, then a support inbetween, and a 1x1 or 2x2 central strut. Idk what yall are doing if your houses collapse.

By chance putting planters in your house and then adding trees to them will wreck the place though, trees have an insane mass.

Didn't even think about that at all, good to note though!

[MysteryFox2023]

I think it the game is great - especially that you can decorate homes. It adds an extra layer to the game. On a side note, I think the Dig Deep and Dirty Larry achievements are currently broken? It has no description nor unlocked. Perhaps it might be fixed in the future? It is experimental after-all, so building and additional features can make the game flourish. :)

[carl.wear]

There are times the block placement seems to glitch for no reason. I have had structures over 25 blocks high with no issues and other times I have only gone up 10 blocks high and I am laying a row of blocks but 1 block in the middle of the top tow lights up bright pick and won't place yet its surrounded with blocks to support it.

[...👑 JOST AMMAN 👑...]

Originally posted by Milkless Tea:

Careful mentioning how long this game has been in alpha for is a death sentence

Best passive-aggressive OT comment in some time, congrats!

[WeskersBigBooty]

I do have one issue where I go to destroy a block on the ground, far away from the structure and the roof starts collapsing. It's seriously making me reconsider my main base location because I cannot build due to the instance of a misplaced block causing a entire roof collapse

[Blue Hasia]

OP needs to also clarify is this an existing POI or a self built structure