Block

7 Days to Die is a voxel-based game, meaning that voxels (3D cubes or Blocks) make up the environment of the game world. The voxel (Block) size is defined as a cubic meter, with each Block representing a 1m x 1m x 1m volume in the game world. Virtually everything in the environment that is not a living entity has been constructed using these fundamental units of 1-meter cubes, including the terrain, structures, and objects.

Overview

Blocks are versatile components that players can place and manipulate to create structures, fortifications, and other elements essential for survival. Players can also destroy Blocks in the environment to Harvest resources. This page details the various aspects of blocks, including types, properties, and usage.

Types of Blocks

Blocks come in various types, each serving different functions and purposes. Almost all types of Blocks found in the game world can also be crafted and placed by players. Common block types include:

• Material Blocks: Basic blocks for constructing structures, such as Building Blocks, Wood Blocks, and Cobblestone Blocks.
• Decorative Blocks: Used to enhance the appearance of structures. Examples include windows, curtains, and furniture.
• Utility Blocks: Functional blocks like Wood Doors, Secure Storage Chests, and Campfires.
• Defensive Blocks: Designed to protect against zombies, including Wood Spikes, Barbed Wire Fence, and Electric Fence Posts.

Block Properties

Each block has specific properties that determine its behavior and interaction within the game:

• Size: Most blocks are 1 cubic meter, but some multiblocks, such as Wood Doors, will actually occupy 2 or more standard block spaces.
• Shape: Blocks come in various shapes, from full cubes to ramps, stairs, and half cubes, allowing for diverse construction possibilities.
• Material: The type of material a block is made from, which impacts its appearance, crafting requirements, and other block properties.
• Mass: A measure of the mass or weight of the block. Important in determining Structural Integrity of a structure.
• Horizontal Support: A measure of the total Mass supported by each face of the Block in determining Structural Integrity.
• Vertical Support: Whether or not a block is considered to be able to support blocks placed on top of it. Important for Structural Integrity.
• Hit Points: A measure of the block's durability. Indicates how much damage it can withstand before being destroyed. Most blocks have hit points that are determined solely by the material from which they are made, regardless of the shape of the block.
• Light Opacity: The Light Opacity of a block, with 1 being fully translucent and 255 being fully opaque.

There are also several other special properties of certain shapes:

• Lower Health: Some block shapes have a lower number of hit points than other block shapes of the same material.
• Shoot-Through: Some block shapes allow ranged attacks to pass through without being able to damage the block itself.
• Wire-Through: Block shapes that allow you to wire through to the other side when using a Wire Tool.

Placing Blocks

Placing blocks involves several steps which are straightforward once you become familiar with the controls and mechanics. How to place blocks:

• Move the block from your Inventory to your Toolbelt.
• Hold the block by selecting it as the active item from your Toolbelt.
• A transparent preview of the block will now appear, showing you where the block will be placed where you are aiming.
• Optionally, choose the block shape you want to use for a Variable Shape Helper via the block's Shapes menu.
• Optionally, choose the texture of the block to be placed via the Materials (Texture) menu, accessed via the block's radial menu.
• Adjust block orientation if necessary: Use left-click to cycle through all of the possible block orientations. Use the R key to cycle in reverse. Different blocks may have different orientation options. By default, only simple block orientations will be shown. More advanced rotation options or on-face orientation can be selected via the block's radial menu. Alternatively, you can copy the orientation of an already-placed block by targeting it, then selecting Copy Orientation from the block's radial menu.
• When satisfied with the block's shape, texture, and orientation, you are ready to place the block. Aim at the desired location where you want to place the block. The block preview will snap to the nearest grid location. Ensure the placement preview is correctly aligned and unobstructed. Check the outline color of the block preview to make sure it is not red, which would indicate either an obstruction disallowing the placement or a Structural Integrity problem indicating imminent collapse if placed. Finally, use right-click to place the block. The block will now be a part of the game world.

Variable Shape Helper

Many types of blocks crafted by the player are Variable Shape Helper blocks. These blocks are identifiable by the white variable shape helper icon in the upper left corner when viewing the block in your Inventory or on your Toolbelt.

Variable Shape Helper blocks will typically have a large number of shapes from which to choose. Changing the shape of the block is done via the Shapes menu:

• Move the block from your Inventory to your Toolbelt.
• Hold the block by selecting it as the active item from your Toolbelt.
• Press and hold the Reload key (default R) to open the radial menu for the block and select Shape. Alternately, use Shift-Reload key to directly open the Shapes menu.
• Find the shape you want to place. Category filters are available on the left side of the Shapes menu, and there is a search bar at the top to help find a block by name. You may also use the S key to toggle a Shape as one of your favorites to find it easier in the future.
• Finalize your shape selection by left-clicking the shape you want and then close the Shapes menu using the Esc key. Alternately, use shift-left-click on the shape you want which both selects that shape and closes the Shapes menu.
• The block will now show the shape you have selected and use that shape when the block is placed. The chosen shape applies to any block from that particular stack of blocks.

Upgrading Blocks

Blocks that have been placed can be upgraded to improve their durability and appearance.

• Equip a Repair Tool such as a Stone Axe, a Claw Hammer, or a Nailgun.
• Have the material needed for the upgrade either in your Inventory or on your Toolbelt.
• Ensure the target block is fully repaired. See Repairing Blocks section below.
• Use right-click while targeting the block. Some blocks require multiple clicks to complete the upgrade. Hold right-click to continuously apply progress towards completing the upgrade on the block. No material is used until the upgrade actually completes successfully.
• If you do not have the material needed for the upgrade, an error noise will sound, and an icon for the missing material will appear at the bottom right side of the game window with a red X overlying it.

Repairing Blocks

Blocks that have been placed can be repaired if they are damaged.

• Equip a Repair Tool such as a Stone Axe, a Claw Hammer, or a Nailgun.
• Have the material needed for the repair either in your Inventory or on your Toolbelt.
• Aim at the block to be repaired. If it is damaged, you will see a display of its current and maximum hit points.
• Use right-click while targeting the block. Each right-click will repair some hit points to the block. Hold right-click to continuously apply repairs to the targeted block. Material is used for each repair applied to the block.
• If you do not have the material needed for the repair, an error noise will sound, and an icon for the missing material will appear at the bottom right side of the game window with a red X overlying it.