Preparing for your Smithing Journey: Installation and Initial Setup
Tinkers’ Construct two, often abbreviated as TC two, is a beloved Minecraft modification that revolutionizes the way players approach tool creation, weapon forging, and even construction. Instead of relying on the standard crafting recipes, Tinkers’ Construct two introduces a system of modular tools, customizable weapons, and a unique smeltery system. It allows for unparalleled creativity and optimization, letting players tailor their equipment to their specific needs and playstyles. Whether you’re a seasoned Minecraft veteran or just starting your journey, Tinkers’ Construct two offers a depth of gameplay that is both engaging and rewarding. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master the art of smithing and go beyond the limitations of vanilla Minecraft tools.
This comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the knowledge to unlock the full potential of Tinkers’ Construct two. We’ll cover everything from setting up your first smeltery to crafting advanced tools with optimized material combinations, and even delve into some automation techniques. Get ready to transform your Minecraft experience with Tinkers’ Construct two!
Preparing for your Smithing Journey: Installation and Initial Setup
Before you can begin your smithing journey with Tinkers’ Construct two, you’ll need to ensure you have the mod installed correctly. Tinkers’ Construct two itself is the primary mod. Typically, Tinkers’ Construct two requires Mantle, a dependency mod providing shared code. While not strictly necessary, Just Enough Items (JEI) is highly recommended. JEI provides in-game recipes and item information, making it significantly easier to learn and use Tinkers’ Construct two.
Installation is straightforward using a mod loader like Forge. Download the correct versions of Tinkers’ Construct two, Mantle, and JEI (if you choose to use it) that match your Minecraft version. Place these jar files into the “mods” folder within your Minecraft directory. Launch Minecraft with the Forge profile selected, and Tinkers’ Construct two should load successfully.
Essential Structures: Building Your Foundation
Tinkers’ Construct two revolves around specific structures that allow you to create tools and weapons. The two most important structures are the smeltery and the crafting tables.
The Smeltery
The smeltery is at the heart of Tinkers’ Construct two. It’s a multiblock structure used to melt ores into liquid metal, which you then cast into tool parts. To build a smeltery, you’ll need seared bricks or seared stone. The smeltery requires a controller, which acts as the heart of the structure, seared bricks or seared stone to form the walls and floor, a drain to extract the molten metal, and a faucet, which pours the molten metal into the casting table or basin.
Constructing the smeltery involves placing the controller first, followed by building the walls around it, leaving space for the drain. The floor must be constructed from seared bricks or stone as well. The internal space of the smeltery determines its capacity. The drain attaches to a wall, and the faucet goes directly underneath the drain on a casting table or basin. Lava is the most common fuel source, poured into the smeltery from the top.
Table and Parts Builder
The table and parts builder are essential for creating tool parts. These are essentially crafting tables used for creating the individual components of your tools. A crafting station is required to create a part builder and tool station. The part builder allows you to create tool parts from various materials, while the tool station allows you to assemble those parts into complete tools.
Using the part builder involves selecting the desired part and then choosing the material. The part builder will then show you the recipe, which usually requires placing the material in a specific configuration.
Materials: The Building Blocks of Your Creations
The materials you use in Tinkers’ Construct two determine the properties of your tools and weapons. Different materials have different durability, attack damage, mining speed, mining level, and modifier slots.
Durability determines how long a tool lasts before breaking. Attack damage affects how much damage a weapon deals. Mining speed dictates how quickly you can break blocks. Mining level determines which blocks a tool can break. Modifier slots allow you to add additional effects to your tools.
Early Game Materials
Early game, you’ll be relying on materials like wood, stone, and flint. These materials are easy to obtain but have relatively low durability and other stats. As you progress, you’ll be able to use better materials like copper, tin, and bronze. These materials offer improved durability and performance. Iron and steel are solid mid-game choices providing a good balance of durability and efficiency.
Advanced Materials
Later in the game, you’ll have access to advanced materials like manyullyn, ardite, and cobalt. Manyullyn and ardite are Nether materials known for their high durability. Cobalt is known for its exceptional mining speed. Obsidian provides good durability and a higher mining level. It’s worth noting that many materials can be added by other mods. Be sure to check the in game documentation to see what the mod adds to Tinkers’ Construct two.
Combining Materials
Combining materials effectively is crucial. For example, you might want to use a manyullyn head on a pickaxe for its durability and mining level, combined with a steel handle for its durability and modifier slots. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
Crafting Tools and Weapons: Putting it All Together
Once you have your materials and structures set up, you can start crafting tools and weapons. The process involves creating the individual parts at the part builder and then assembling them at the tool station.
To create a tool, select the desired tool blueprint at the tool station. This will show you which parts you need. Then, create those parts at the part builder using your chosen materials. Finally, return to the tool station and assemble the parts to create the complete tool.
Common Tools
Common tools include the pickaxe, shovel, axe, hammer, and excavator. The pickaxe is used for mining ores, the shovel for digging dirt and sand, the axe for chopping trees, the hammer for mining large areas, and the excavator for clearing large areas of soft blocks. Swords and longbows are good starting weapons. Swords are for melee combat while longbows are good for ranged attacks.
Modifier Slots
Modifier slots allow you to further customize your tools. Common modifiers include redstone, lapis lazuli, quartz, diamonds, and emeralds. Redstone increases mining speed. Lapis lazuli increases fortune. Quartz increases attack damage. Diamonds add durability. Emeralds add additional modifier slots.
Repairing your tools is important to keep them in good condition. This can be done at the tool forge or other repairing methods like autosmelting. Maintaining tool durability will ensure they last longer and perform optimally.
Taking it to the Next Level: Advanced Automation
Tinkers’ Construct two offers a wealth of opportunities for automation, allowing you to streamline your ore processing and tool creation.
Liquid Transfer and Casting
Liquid transfer and casting are crucial for automating ingot production. Use casting tables and basins to create ingots and other items from molten metal. Automate liquid transfer using pumps and pipes from compatible mods like Thermal Expansion or Immersive Engineering.
Smeltery Automation
Automate the smeltery by automating ore input and ingot output. This can be achieved using hoppers, conveyors, and other machines to feed ores into the smeltery and extract ingots from the casting tables.
Material Refining and Alloying
Material refining and alloying can further optimize your production. Alloys, which are combinations of multiple metals, can be created in the smeltery. Optimize alloy recipes for maximum efficiency and desirable properties.
Tips for Success in Your Smithing Endeavors
Efficient material farming is essential for sustaining your Tinkers’ Construct two operations. Explore different dimensions for rare materials, set up automated mining systems, and consider using resource-generating mods to supplement your material supply.
Troubleshooting common issues can save you time and frustration. If your smeltery isn’t working, double-check the construction and fuel supply. If your tools are breaking too quickly, consider using more durable materials. If material properties aren’t what you expect, consult the in-game documentation or online resources.
Optimizing tool performance involves finding the right balance of durability, speed, and damage. Experiment with different material combinations and modifiers to achieve the best results for your playstyle.
Tinkers’ Construct 2 and Modpacks: A Symbiotic Relationship
Tinkers’ Construct two seamlessly integrates with many popular modpacks, offering unique synergies and expanded gameplay opportunities. It often complements mods like Thermal Expansion, Immersive Engineering, and Mekanism, allowing for advanced automation and resource processing. Some modpacks may also add custom materials or modify existing Tinkers’ Construct two mechanics, so be sure to consult the modpack documentation for specific details.
Conclusion: Forging Your Path to Mastery
Tinkers’ Construct two is a powerful and versatile Minecraft modification that empowers players to create custom tools, weapons, and structures. By understanding the core mechanics, experimenting with different materials, and exploring automation techniques, you can unlock the full potential of Tinkers’ Construct two and transform your Minecraft experience.
Experiment with different material combinations, explore the mod’s advanced features, and embrace the creativity that Tinkers’ Construct two has to offer. The world of Minecraft smithing awaits! Further learning can be found on the Tinkers’ Construct two wiki, mod forums, and YouTube tutorials. Happy smithing!
