User:McClaw/Actions

(I have an idea for a guide page discussing Blockhead actions and what I call the "task queue.")

Actions

An action is when a Blockhead does something. They can be sequenced in a task queue.

How To

Unless it's wearing a tin foil hat, a Blockhead won't take any actions (other than standing or treading water) that have not been assigned to it by a player. Only the currently selected Blockhead can have new actions assigned to it. (In a single player world with only one Blockhead, that Blockhead is always selected.)

Some actions are affected by what item is currently selected in a Blockhead's inventory.

When an action is aborted, any unconsumed items removed from the affected Blockhead's inventory are returned.

Action Boxes

Once entered, actions are indicated on the display by a square outline around the block, space, or creature that will be acted on. The color of the outline and the icon inside it (if any) identifies the action. The outline can be referred to as an Action Box.

An icon inside an action box indicates either what tool will be used to perform the action or, in the case of crafting at a crafting surface, what item will be created. A hand will be displayed for removing a crafting surface or retrieving items no matter what tool has been selected. If there is no icon, the action is probably for the Blockhead to travel to that space.

White outline action boxes are usually applied to actions for crafting, harvesting, and travel.

Green and red outline action boxes are an indication of the effectiveness or appropriateness of the tool to be used. Appropriate tools tend to be more effective than inappropriate ones, producing results faster and often in greater quantity. It is interesting to note that all tools, even those not considered to be weapons, are "appropriate" for attacking creatures, although weapons are still more effective.

Types of Actions

Although the terms are mostly subjective, actions can generally be separated into several different types:

Caving

See also: Caving

Caving is the process of exploring pre-existing gaps in a world's bedrock, called caves.

Constructing

See also: Construction

Construction is the process of placing and/or removing blocks to produce a desired shape.

Crafting

See also: Crafting

Crafting is the process of using crafting surfaces to convert items from a Blockhead's inventory to other items. This includes using pigments to change the color of some items at a dye bench.

Decorating

Decorating is a type of construction to produce a desired appearance instead of a useful shape. It can include the use of placeable items and the use of paint.

Dressing

Dressing is the process of putting clothing on or off a Blockhead through dedicated inventory slots.

Eating

Eating is the process of consuming food items to reduce a Blockhead's hunger or restore its health and sometimes energy.

Exploring

Exploring is the process of having a Blockhead travel to unrevealed locations in a world. It can include caving.

Farming

See also: Farming

Farming is the process of spawning and harvesting plants and trees for various items.

Fishing

Fishing is the process of using a fishing rod or other means to harvest fish or sharks into other items.

Meditating

See also: Meditate

Meditation is causing a Blockhead to sit still and pass time. It can also produce bonus items.

Mining

See also: Mining

Mining is the process of removing blocks to obtain useful items for other purposes.

Harvesting

See also: Harvesting

Harvesting is a general term referring to obtaining items from farming, mining, and the hunting of creatures.

Sleeping

See also: Sleep

Sleeping is the process of restoring energy to a Blockhead.

Traveling

See also: Travel

Travel is the process of moving a Blockhead to a new location.

The Task Queue

All Blockheads have a task queue. This is no more than the sequence of actions assigned to a Blockhead.

A task queue operates on the principle of FIFO (First In, First Out). If an idle Blockhead is assigned an action, it will either begin that action immediately or after traveling to where that action was placed. If an action is assigned to a Blockhead that isn't idle, the action will be added to the end of that Blockhead's task queue and will be started once all previously assigned actions are completed.

Tapping on a Blockhead's character status icon will cause their character status window to appear over them. If it have any actions assigned to it, a red button to "cancel all actions" is displayed. Tapping that button clears the Blockhead's task queue and aborts its current action.

If a Blockhead attempts to perform an action for which it doesn't at that time have the necessary items accessible in its inventory or use a tool that has been moved from where it was when selected, that action will be aborted. This may happen after the Blockhead has moved to the location for the action. After the abort, the Blockhead will proceed to the next action in its task queue, if any.

TO ADD

Categories: Guide Action