Terraforming with a Polished Deepslate Wall in Trails and Tales
The Trails and Tales update opens fresh avenues for shaping terrain and crafting environments that feel both ancient and timeless. Among the most versatile blocks for terraforming is a polished deepslate wall. Its dense texture, balanced color, and a set of flexible block states invite builders to sculpt cliffs, terraces, and fortifications with precision. Whether you are forging a rugged mountainside lodge or a shadowy coastal bluff, this block helps you control mood as well as form.
In this guide we explore how to harness the polished deepslate wall for practical terraforming work. We will cover how the block’s data translates into usable surface changes, share building tactics that reduce seam lines, and offer ideas for integrating this block into larger terrains without feeling repetitive. The discussion takes into account Trails and Tales core mechanics and the ways players have begun bending the block to their will.
Block anatomy at a glance
- ID and name: polished_deepslate_wall
- Material and harvest: mineable with a pickaxe, drops itself
- Hardness and resistance: 3.5 and 6.0 respectively making it sturdy for exterior walls
- States you can use to shape geometry
- east north south west with values none low tall
- up boolean to add vertical push
- waterlogged boolean for submerged effects
- Appearance: dark slate texture that reads well in natural lighting
The block comes with directional states that let you craft subtle edge chamfers and corner pieces without needing additional blocks. The tall and low variants along each axis let you produce staggered walls that echo cliff faces. The up property gives you a chance to create raised parapets or elevated terraces without stacking a lot of blocks. Waterlogged variants enable occasional moats or water channels that align with a guide river or hillside runoff.
Why this block shines for terraforming
- Texture depth that reads well from a distance yet remains crisp up close
- Flexible state system lets you craft angled corners and stepped edges
- Solid density supports long uninterrupted lines for ramps and retaining walls
- Compatible with mossy variants and other deepslate family blocks to build cohesive scenes
- Works well in both natural landscapes and built environments such as fortifications or quarries
Building tips and practical ideas
When terraforming with this block, plan around variance rather than repetition. Use the four directional states to form subtle corrugations along a hillside. Pair tall segments on the outer face with low sections behind to simulate stepped ridges that catch light differently as you walk along a ridge line 🧱. For castle like hills and coastal bluffs, alternating between none and tall along the east and west directions creates a crenellated silhouette without adding extra blocks.
To emphasize depth on a cliff face, build a layered wall by stacking alternating rows of polished deepslate wall and ordinary polished deepslate blocks. The wall's texture will read as successive ledges, giving a natural drop from one platform to the next. If you want to carve a courtyard behind a bluff, use waterlogged variants to form a shallow moat that surrounds a terrace. This adds a reflective surface that contrasts with the matte deepslate tones.
For caves and tunnel entrances, consider using up to create short vertical extensions that mimic arching entrances. A simple method is to place walls in a staggered staircase and finish with a few blocks of light source like lanterns tucked in behind to glow through the texture differences. This approach keeps the entry way dramatic without appearing cluttered.
Lighting becomes important with a block that does not emit light itself. Combine polished deepslate wall with light sources placed a block back from the edge or behind translucent blocks to cast gentle shadows across the terrain. Glow lichen or lanterns nestled into ledges can illuminate paths while preserving the moody atmosphere that this material naturally suggests.
If your world leans into data packs or mods, you can extend the versatility of this block even further. For example, custom resource packs can vary the texture resolution or tint when the block faces different directions, while datapacks can introduce new patterns for the up and waterlogged states. This synergy between vanilla mechanics and community created content is a hallmark of Trails and Tales culture.
Techniques to speed up terraforming with ease
- Plan in layers: start with a rough hillside then refine using the tall and low variants to carve steps
- Use the up state to create vertical separations such as ledges or guardwalks
- Employ waterlogged edges sparingly to craft quiet moats or damp terraces
- Align east west and north south states to minimize visual seams when forming long walls
- Test lighting placement early to ensure mood remains consistent as the terrain takes shape
The polished deepslate wall is a steady companion for any terraforming project in Trails and Tales. Its resilience and state driven creativity let you respond to changing terrain without losing your intended silhouette. The block is especially forgiving for builders who love the alchemy of naturalistic landscapes and man made fortifications alike. Play with it on a hillside, sculpt a coastal bluff, or craft a hidden courtyard behind a towering crag and see how the texture changes the story you tell in game.
As you experiment, remember to document your builds. The community thrives on sharing layout ideas and techniques that push this block into new forms. A small note called out in forums or shared map screenshots can inspire others to push their own terraforming projects forward.
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