Overview#
Per Fabrica Ad Astra (PFAA) is a total conversion mod for Minecraft that focuses on geological accuracy and industrial progression. Its primary component, Geologica, replaces the standard vanilla stone with a vast array of real-world rock types, each possessing unique physical properties such as hardness and tool requirements. The mod introduces a realistic stratification system where rocks and ores generate in logical layers (strata) based on the surrounding environment and depth.
The mod is designed to integrate deeply with technical mods like RotaryCraft, Immersive Engineering, and GregTech, providing a foundation for a realistic technological advancement path from the Stone Age to the Space Age.
Rock Hardness & Tool Mechanics#
One of the core mechanics of PFAA is the implementation of rock hardness. Unlike vanilla Minecraft where all stone is uniform, PFAA rocks are categorized into four hardness levels. This affects which tools can harvest them and the durability of tools crafted from them.
Hardness Levels and Tool Interaction
| Hardness Level | Value | Harvest Tool Required | Drop Type | Stone Tool Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weak | 1.0 | Wooden Pickaxe | Rubble | 25% of Vanilla |
| Medium | 2.0 | Stone Pickaxe | Cobblestone | 50% of Vanilla |
| Strong | 3.0 | Stone Pickaxe | Cobblestone | 100% of Vanilla |
| Very Strong | 4.0 | Iron Pickaxe | Intact Stone | 100% of Vanilla |
Harvesting Mechanics
- Rubble: Harvesting Weak stone (typically sedimentary) yields Rubble. Rubble behaves similarly to gravel but does not drop flint. It can be used to craft low-durability stone tools.
- Cobblestone: Medium and Strong rocks yield their respective cobblestone variants. These can be smelted back into solid stone in a furnace.
- Intact Stone: Very Strong rocks are harvested as solid blocks. To obtain the cobblestone variant for crafting or building, players must use extra processing methods such as a Rock Crusher.
Igneous Rocks#
Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling of magma or lava. In PFAA, they are divided into Intrusive (cooled underground) and Extrusive (cooled on the surface).
| Rock Type | Hardness | Distribution & Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Diorite | Very Strong | Bottom of continental crust, above gabbro; found as intrusions. |
| Gabbro | Very Strong | Bottom of felsic crust, oceanic crust; found as intrusions. |
| Peridotite | Very Strong | Found as deep intrusions. |
| Granite | Strong | Dominant in continental crust; found in large domes. |
| Pegmatite | Strong | Found as veins within granite formations. |
| Carbonatite | Weak | Rare, short vertical veins in continental crust. |
| Andesite | Strong | Found above granite in felsic regions. |
| Basalt | Strong | Found above gabbro in oceanic crust; forms shield volcanoes and islands. |
| Rhyolite | Strong | Found at the top of felsic formations. |
Sedimentary Rocks#
Sedimentary rocks are generally found near the surface and are formed by the accumulation of mineral or organic particles. Many of these are 'Weak' and yield rubble when broken.
| Rock Type | Hardness | Distribution & Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Breccia | Weak | Localized continental deposits, often folded. |
| Claystone | Weak | Localized continental and oceanic deposits. |
| Conglomerate | Weak | Localized continental deposits. |
| Mudstone | Weak | Primary rock of the continental crust; also found in oceanic deposits. |
| Limestone | Medium | Common under the sea and in hills; resistant to erosion. |
| Sandstone | Medium | Found at the top of hills and mountains; resistant. |
| Coal | N/A | Generates in large beds; twice as common in swamp biomes. |
Metamorphic Rocks#
Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure. They are typically found in the lower reaches of sedimentary layers or at mountain peaks.
| Rock Type | Hardness | Distribution & Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Slate | Medium | Found in continental strata. |
| Schist | Medium | Located below slate; found in felsic mountains and oceanic crust. |
| Skarn | Medium | Found in both continental and oceanic crust. |
| Gneiss | Strong | Located below schist; often forms the peaks of alpine mountains. |
| Greenschist | Strong | Found near the bedrock layer. |
| Marble | Strong | Found in continental strata. |
| Hornfels | Very Strong | Found in continental strata. |
| Quartzite | Very Strong | Found in continental strata and mountain peaks. |
| Serpentinite | Medium | Found as veins throughout the crust. |
Mineral Ores & Distribution#
PFAA introduces a wide variety of realistic ores. These ores do not spawn randomly but are tied to specific host rocks and strata.
Major Ore Types
- Iron Ores: Hematite (found in sedimentary/metamorphic), Magnetite (igneous), Limonite, and Siderite.
- Copper Ores: Native Copper, Tetrahedrite, Malachite, and Azurite.
- Tin Ores: Cassiterite (primarily found in Granite and Pegmatite).
- Lead & Zinc: Galena (lead/silver) and Sphalerite (zinc).
- Precious Metals: Native Gold and Native Silver.
- Industrial Minerals: Chromite, Cinnabar (mercury), Molybdenite, and Wolframite (tungsten).
Ore Generation Patterns
- Primary Stratum: The main layer of the crust in a specific area.
- Localized Stratum: A horizontal deposit of limited size within a primary layer.
- Intrusion: Vertical or diagonal veins of igneous rock that often carry rare minerals.
World Generation & Geomes#
The mod utilizes a custom generation engine to create realistic geological profiles. The world is divided into "Geomes" (geological biomes) which determine the sequence of rock layers from the surface to bedrock.
- Continental Crust: Dominated by Mudstone, Granite, and Diorite. This is where most sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found.
- Oceanic Crust: Dominated by Basalt and Gabbro. These areas have thinner sedimentary layers, often consisting of Limestone and Claystone.
- Mountain Peaks: Often capped with resistant rocks like Quartzite or Gneiss, while volcanic peaks are composed of Basalt or Rhyolite.
Crafting & Smelting#
PFAA modifies existing recipes to ensure compatibility with its new rock types through the Ore Dictionary.
Key Recipes
- Stone Tools: Crafted using Rubble (Weak) or Cobblestone (Medium/Strong). The durability is automatically adjusted based on the material used.
- Stone Bricks: Crafted from 4 blocks of the same rock type (Stone or Cobblestone).
- Slabs & Walls: All PFAA rock types support the standard vanilla-style recipes for slabs, walls, and stairs.
- Smelting: Cobblestone of any type can be smelted in a furnace to return to its smooth Stone form.
Ore Processing
When integrated with other mods, PFAA ores can be processed through multiple stages:
- Crushing: Breaking the ore block into Crushed Ore.
- Grinding: Reducing crushed ore into Dust.
- Purification: Using chemical baths or centrifuges to separate trace metals (e.g., Silver from Galena).
Gallery#
