sap10's Initiate Review

Hey there! :3

I want to say that to pass Initiate (and all levels really), we look for three things; terrain, structure and organics. You have two of these down, but you lack terrain. Terrain can be something basic like this:
http://www.reverieinteractive.com/BetaGames/Minecraft_Clone/MCCloneTech1.PNG
This is a little more complex than what I was aiming for, but it shows you the layers well. Some can be jagged, some can be smooth. You can make as many as those amounts of layers, or you can only make like 3 or 4, it's completely up to you. That image is justa  good demonstration of how you could make natural looking flatter terrain to build structures on!

Secondly, organics. We do not promote bonemealed trees; we expect you to build your own. It shows way more creativity than spawning in Notch trees.

Lastly, structure.
The important one for most plots. The structure is usually, more often than not, the thing that is given the spotlight on a plot. If not, and the terrain is the main focus, then the structure still comes into play.
There are two main aspects to a structure that you absolutely HAVE to consider when building – depth and detail.
Depth is the use of layers. Simple depth is created through the use of a frame. A frame can be made simply, or it can be more creative.
Simple frame:  https://imgur.com/ONsoRxh
More complex frame: https://imgur.com/20eZjP8
(Credit to DuttYGilberT for both)
Those are just two examples, with no palette, to demonstrate the difference that can make. You can use that on all four walls and make a small house, or you can make a larger structure with the more complex frame in the image.
However, these are both very basic still, we want you to be as creative as you can be!

Detailing is the use of slabs/stairs/cobblestone walls/fences etc to show details and a pattern or interesting aspect to a build. Small detailing like fences/trapdoors tend to be used on smaller structures, like houses or towers. And slabs/stairs tend to be used on larger structures, if not full blocks. Detailing can be tricky, as you don’t want to over detail. You also want to bring the detail into the depth and create multiple layers of it, instead of just one layer of detail in front of a flat wall. Again, I advise you to fly around spawn, have a look at some of the plots in the black carpets around the very edge and see the type of standard.
I want to stress this now that you don’t have to build that well in order to rank. Most of those builds around spawn are exceptional and we do not expect this of every single person who comes on here.

Start off with an easy small house build on a small plot I think. Using the basic terrain I showed you, or if you want to implement the cliff style into it too, you’re more than welcome.
You’ll need a roof, however. Roofs can also be tricky, but there are many styles of roofs.
Medieval/Elven style roof: https://imgur.com/a/Lr9Ab#0
(Credit to DuttYGilberT)
Rounded roof: https://imgur.com/WgvhAUP
(Credit to pomomomo1234)
Oriental Style Roof: https://imgur.com/vo2A2Bu
(Credit to iHaya)
Pointed Tower Roof: https://imgur.com/csiGTVH
(Credit to sarazon)
Hopefully those roof styles give you some idea of a route you’d want to take. They are very different styles of roofs for very different styles of builds, so I hope you find the right one. My only advice for a roof would be not to use all stairs/slabs. I think you need to use full blocks, with maybe some stairs of slabs for detailing. I think it’s always nice to have an overhang too, so the roof doesn’t match up with the wall. And lastly, make sure your roof is a different block to the walls, so then there is a definite difference!