Getting Started & Arena Setup

This guide walks administrators through installing Steal-A-Block, generating arena layouts, and configuring player plots. You can deploy a fully working showroom arena in five seconds using the instant demo generator, or build custom arenas using the interactive guided checklist and setup wand.

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Step 1: Installation

Prerequisites

Before installing Steal-A-Block, ensure your server environment meets the following requirements:

• Server Software: Paper or Purpur 1.21+ (Build 1.21-R0.1 or higher).
• Java Version: Java 21 64-bit runtime.
• FastAsyncWorldEdit (FAWE): Hard requirement. Download the latest build matching your Minecraft version from the official engine repository.

Installation Steps

1. Stop your Minecraft server completely. Do not install or reload plugins on a live server.
2. Place FastAsyncWorldEdit.jar into your server's plugins/ folder.
3. Place stealablock.jar into your server's plugins/ folder.
4. (Optional) Add PlaceholderAPI.jar to display player balances, multipliers, and block stats on scoreboards and tablists.
5. (Optional) Add Floodgate.jar if your server supports Bedrock edition cross-play through Geyser.
6. Start the server. Steal-A-Block will generate its default directory structure at plugins/StealABlock/:
   • config.yml - Economy rates, rebirth curves, and global settings.
   • messages.yml - Color codes, action bars, and chat templates.
   • arenas.yml - Arena boundaries, plot coordinates, and conveyor paths.
   • blocks.yml - Block values, drop rates, and mutation weights.
   • data.db - SQLite database storing player progress and plot ownership.

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Step 2: Arena Creation Methods

Steal-A-Block provides three distinct workflows for creating arenas. Choose the method that best matches your setup:

Creation Method	Command	Best Suited For	Setup Time
Method A: Instant Demo	/sab demo	Test servers, quick trials, mechanic evaluation	5 seconds
Method B: Guided Checklist	/sab create + /sab checklist	Production servers, custom maps, builders	3–5 minutes
Method C: Classic Setup Wand	/sab setup <name>	Precise manual region marking and hotbar control	5–10 minutes

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Method A: Instant Demo Arena (/sab demo)

The demo generator builds a complete, fully functional 8-plot showroom arena directly at your feet in five seconds. It requires zero block-marking or coordinate typing.

/sab demo

(Alias: /sab testsetup)

What the Generator Builds

When executed by an in-game operator, the command performs the following automated setup:

1. Cleans up any existing demo arenas to prevent ID collisions.
2. Levels a 118x118 block smooth stone plaza with a dark gray concrete conveyor road running down the center.
3. Constructs 8 complete player plots arranged in two opposing rows of 4 plots facing each other across the central road:
   • Row A (Plots 1–4): Entrances face South toward the central conveyor road.
   • Row B (Plots 5–8): Entrances face North toward the central conveyor road.
4. Outfits every individual plot with complete functional equipment:
   • 15x15 smooth stone floor with 2-high stone brick perimeter walls.
   • 3-wide entrance gate fitted with iron bars.
   • Gold pressure plate switch (LIGHT_WEIGHTED_PRESSURE_PLATE) for base locking.
   • 7 storage anvils on stone brick footings with iron pressure plates for passive income.
   • 3x3 gold block deposit zone in the plot corner for cashing in stolen loot.
   • Emerald block pedestal with a spawned Tactical Gear Shop NPC facing the entrance.
   • Floating Display Entity holograms for Plot Owner identification and passive $/s income rates.
   • Tall corner pillars establishing the footprint for future multi-floor prestige towers.
5. Sets global arena bounds, aligns conveyor start and end vectors, enables the arena, and starts the conveyor display loop.
6. Teleports the administrator to an elevated vantage point above the central road.

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Method B: Interactive Guided Checklist (/sab checklist)

The Guided Checklist is the recommended workflow for building custom arenas on production servers. It pairs each configuration requirement with visual completion badges and one-click validation.

flowchart TD
    A["Run /sab create <name>"] --> B["Build Arena Physical Structure"]
    B --> C["Open /sab checklist <name>"]
    C --> D["Click Checklist Items to Bind Locations"]
    D --> E{"All Items Green Checkmarks?"}
    E -- No --> D
    E -- Yes --> F["Click 'VALIDATE & ENABLE'"]
    F --> G["Arena Active & Conveyor Running"]

Step 1: Create the Arena Shell

Run the creation command to register the arena identifier in arenas.yml:

/sab create <arenaId>

Example: /sab create arena_desert

Step 2: Open the Checklist GUI

Open the interactive 54-slot status menu:

/sab checklist <arenaId>

The GUI displays every required component with real-time status icons:

• Green Stained Glass Pane (Checkmark): Component is configured and meets all coordinate validation rules.
• Red Stained Glass Pane (Cross / Barrier): Component is missing, incomplete, or out of bounds.

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Checklist: arena_desert]                                  |
|                                                             |
|  [Arena World]  [Arena Bounds]  [Conveyor Path]             |
|                                                             |
|  [Plot 1]  [Plot 2]  [Plot 3]  [Plot 4]                     |
|    - Spawn      - Bounds     - Deposit Zone                 |
|    - Anvils     - Shop NPC   - Gate & Plate                 |
|                                                             |
|                   [VALIDATE & ENABLE]                       |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 3: Configure Components from the GUI

Clicking any uncompleted item in the checklist provides exact instructions in chat, teleports you to the relative offset if applicable, or equips the corresponding wand selector.

Step 4: Validate and Enable

Once all entries show green checkmarks, click the central VALIDATE & ENABLE button. The plugin runs internal consistency checks, writes the settings to arenas.yml, resets plot states to default Level 1, and starts the conveyor entity engine.

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Method C: Classic Setup Wand (/sab setup)

For administrators who prefer hotbar tools and precise corner-marking, the Setup Wand provides an 8-step sequence.

Entering Setup Mode

/sab setup <arenaId>

Upon entering setup mode, your current inventory is safely cached to memory, and your hotbar is loaded with setup tools:

• Slot 1 (Setup Wand): Left-click and right-click to mark region corners or bind block locations.
• Slot 2 (Checklist Paper): Opens the Setup Checklist GUI for the current arena.
• Slot 8 (Mode Switcher): Cycles forward through the 8 configuration modes.
• Slot 9 (Exit Barrier): Saves current progress, exits setup mode, and restores your inventory.

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The 8 Wand Configuration Steps

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  STEP 1: Arena Bounds      Left-click Corner 1 | Right-click Corner 2  |
|  STEP 2: Conveyor River    Left-click Start    | Right-click End       |
|  STEP 3: Plot Bounds       Left-click Corner 1 | Right-click Corner 2  |
|  STEP 4: Plot Spawn        Stand in place and Right-click              |
|  STEP 5: Deposit & Center  Mark Conveyor Center & Deposit Floor        |
|  STEP 6: Storage Anvils    Right-click Anvil (auto-places plate)       |
|  STEP 7: Gear Shop NPC     Right-click pedestal block                  |
|  STEP 8: Security Gates    Mark Gate Corners & place Gold Plate        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 1: Global Arena World & Region Bounds

• Wand Action: Left-click corner 1 (pos1), Right-click corner 2 (pos2).
• Purpose: Sets the physical bounding cuboid enclosing the entire map. All combat, block physics, conveyor movement, and plot interactions are strictly confined within this zone.

Step 2: Central Conveyor River Bounds & Flow Direction

• Wand Action: Left-click the start block, Right-click the destination end block.
• Purpose: Establishes the vector along which Block Display entities glide. Ensure this path runs down your arena's central waterway or road.

Step 3: Individual Plot Bounds

• Wand Action: Select Plot Number, then Left-click corner 1 and Right-click corner 2.
• Purpose: Demarcates private plot territory (typically 15x15 or 20x20 blocks). Only the plot owner can build or place defenses inside these bounds. Upper Y bounds should allow vertical tower growth.

Step 4: Plot Spawn Locations

• Wand Action: Stand on the desired spawn block, face the desired viewing angle, and Right-click.
• Purpose: Registers player entry coordinates along with camera yaw and pitch. Players spawn here upon claiming the plot, dying in an arena heist, or returning from raids.

Step 5: Plot Delivery Hoppers & Collection Zone

• Wand Action:
  1. Right-click the plot entrance center to set conveyor_center.
  2. Left-click corner 1 and Right-click corner 2 of the gold floor zone (deposit_pos1 and deposit_pos2).
• Purpose: The conveyor center routes stolen items into the base. The deposit zone (typically a 3x3 gold floor) automatically converts carried stolen blocks into instant cash when raiders step on it.

Step 6: Plot Income Storage Anvils

• Wand Action: Right-click each anvil block placed in the plot.
• Purpose: Registers the block as a passive income storage container. The plugin automatically places a heavy-weighted pressure plate beside the anvil. Stepping on the plate accesses stored blocks and displays real-time $/s generation.

Step 7: Tactical Gear Shop NPC / Pedestal

• Wand Action: Right-click the block where the merchant should stand.
• Purpose: Spawns an interactive vendor NPC facing the player. Plot owners click this NPC to purchase speed boots, income boosters, skeleton keys, and defense traps.

Step 8: Security Gates & Trap Mounting Anchors

• Wand Action:
  1. Left-click corner 1 and Right-click corner 2 of the entrance opening (gate_pos1 and gate_pos2).
  2. Right-click the floor block just inside the entrance to set the gold lock plate (gate_plate).
• Purpose: The gate forms a barrier that denies entry to rival raiders when locked. Stepping on the gold pressure plate locks or unlocks the gate.

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Step 3: Duplicating Arenas (/sab duplicate)

For multi-arena networks, you do not need to rebuild arenas by hand. The duplication command clones the entire physical schematic and configuration metadata using FAWE clipboard buffers.

/sab duplicate <originalId> [newName] [amount]

Duplication Syntax & Examples

Syntax	Example	Result
Single Named Clone	/sab duplicate arena_a arena_b	Clones arena_a into a new arena titled arena_b.
Auto-Named Clone	/sab duplicate arena_a	Automatically creates arena_a_copy.
Bulk Generation	/sab duplicate arena_a 5	Creates 5 sequential copies (arena_a_copy, arena_a_copy2, ...).
Bulk with Prefix	/sab duplicate arena_a ranked 10	Creates 10 sequential copies (ranked1, ranked2, ... ranked10).

How the Duplication Engine Operates

• Automatic Offset Calculation: The plugin examines pos1 and pos2 of the source arena, calculates its total X-axis footprint plus a clearance margin, and shifts the clone target along the X axis.
• Main-Thread Tick Pacing: WorldEdit block pasting runs synchronized with server ticks (one arena per tick). This prevents server lockups, watchdogs, or clipboard corruption during large bulk duplicates.
• Data Cloning: All plot bounds, anvil coordinates, gate boundaries, and shop anchors are mathematically shifted to match the new world position and recorded directly in arenas.yml.

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Step 4: Verification and Enabling

Before opening an arena to players, verify that all internal validation rules pass.

1. Check for Configuration Errors

/sab checklist <arenaId>

If any requirement is missing, the console and chat will display specific error entries:

- Missing plot bounds for Plot 3
- Conveyor start location must be within arena boundaries
- Plot 2 requires at least 1 storage anvil

2. Enable the Arena

/sab enable <arenaId>

When enabled, the plugin:

• Sets enabled: true in arenas.yml.
• Resets all plots to default Level 1 unowned status.
• Clears leftover entities or dropped items.
• Initializes the Display Entity conveyor loop.

3. Review Arena Status

/sab list

Displays all registered arenas, their active operational state, and plot capacity: ``` === Arena list === - demo [Enabled] 8 Plots - arena_desert [Enabled] 4 Plots - arena_forest [Disabled] 4 Plots

### Administrative Maintenance Tools
If you ever need to adjust existing arena boundaries or reset player builds:
* **Disable Arena:** `/sab disable <arenaId>` (halts conveyor loop and denies player entry).
* **Clear Region Bounds:** `/sab clearbounds <arenaId>` (resets `pos1` and `pos2` so you can re-mark outer walls).
* **Reset Unoccupied Plot Floors:** `/sab resetfloors <arenaId>` (re-pastes the default Level 1 schematic onto empty plots).
* **Reload Configuration:** `/sab reload` (reloads messages, blocks, and rates from disk).