How to expand your building space in RLCraft
RLCraft doesn't give you unlimited space to build, but you can claim and protect large areas using the land claim system built into the modpack. The most straightforward method is to use a Claim Block, which you craft early and place to mark the center of your territory. Once placed, that block protects a square area around it — the size depends on how many claim blocks you've activated in total. More claim blocks mean more total protected land across your world.
The catch is that claim blocks require Claim Chunks, which you earn by playing. You gain one Claim Chunk roughly every 30 minutes of gameplay, and each claim block you set up costs chunks to maintain. This means you can't when ready claim a massive area — you have to earn the right to do it through time spent in the world.
The process itself is straightforward: craft a claim block, place it where you want your territory centered, then add more claim blocks nearby to expand outward. Each additional block extends your protected zone. The game shows you the boundaries with particles or a visual overlay so you can see exactly what you own.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Blocks are crafted items that mark the center of your protected territory, and you can place multiple blocks to expand your total claimed area.
- You earn Claim Chunks passively by playing — roughly one every 30 minutes — and you spend them to set up claim blocks.
- Each claim block protects a square zone around itself, and the game shows you the boundaries so you know what is protected.
- You can expand your claimed area at any time by crafting and placing additional claim blocks as you earn more Claim Chunks.
- Other players cannot break blocks, open containers, or interact with anything inside your claimed zone without permission.
Crafting your first Claim Block
To make a Claim Block, you need Gold Ingots and Lapis Lazuli. The exact recipe is one Gold Ingot in the center of your crafting grid, surrounded by eight Lapis Lazuli blocks — one in each surrounding square. This creates one Claim Block. Gold and Lapis are both found underground; Gold spawns at any depth but is more common lower down, and Lapis appears in veins of four to eight blocks, usually between ground level and Y-coordinate 32.
If you don't have enough resources yet, focus on mining first. You don't need to claim land when ready — many players wait until they've found a good building spot and gathered enough materials. There's no penalty for waiting, and you'll have more Claim Chunks saved up by the time you're ready.
Once you have the materials, open your crafting table and arrange them as described. You'll get one Claim Block per craft. Keep the block in your inventory until you've decided where you want your main base.
Placing your Claim Block and understanding the protected zone
Walk to the location where you want your territory centered — usually the spot where you plan to build your main structure. Hold the Claim Block in your hand and right-click on the ground. The block will place, and you'll see a visual indicator showing the boundaries of your protected area. The default size is a square that extends a certain distance in all directions from the block.
The protected zone is a square, not a circle, so corners are included. Everything inside those boundaries is now yours — other players cannot break blocks, place blocks, open chests, or interact with anything. You can still invite specific players to build with you by using the claim settings, but by default only you have access.
If the protected area is too small for your plans, don't worry. You'll place more claim blocks to expand it. The boundaries will adjust as you add blocks, growing outward from your original claim.
Expanding your territory with additional Claim Blocks
Once your first claim block is placed, you can add more to grow your protected zone. Craft additional Claim Blocks using the same recipe — Gold Ingot surrounded by Lapis Lazuli — and place them near your first block. Each new block you set up expands the total protected area. The game calculates the boundaries to include all your claim blocks, so placing them strategically lets you create larger or oddly-shaped territories.
For example, if you place your first block at your main base and a second block 50 blocks away, the protected zone will expand to include both locations and the space between them. This is useful if you want to protect a mine entrance, a farm, or a storage area that's separate from your main building.
Remember that each claim block costs Claim Chunks to maintain. You can see how many chunks you have by opening your inventory and looking at the claim information — it's usually displayed in the top-left corner or in a dedicated menu. If you run out of chunks, your oldest claims will begin to deactivate, so manage your expansion carefully if you're low on resources.
Managing Claim Chunks and avoiding running out
Claim Chunks are the currency that keeps your claims active. You earn them passively — the game tracks your playtime and grants you one chunk roughly every 30 minutes. You can check your current balance by opening your inventory or pressing a hotkey (usually G by default, but check your keybinds in the settings menu).
Each claim block you set up costs a certain number of chunks per day to maintain. The cost is small — usually just a few chunks per block — but it adds up if you claim a very large area. If you ever run out of chunks, your claims don't disappear when ready; instead, they deactivate starting with the oldest one. You can reactivate them by earning more chunks and opening the claim menu again.
The practical approach is to claim only the area you actually need. A single claim block protecting your main base and when ready surroundings is enough for most players. Expand only when you have a specific reason — a new farm, a mining operation, or a second base — and only if you have chunks to spare.
Inviting other players to build in your claimed area
If you're playing on a server or in multiplayer, you can give other players permission to build inside your claims without giving them full access. Open the claim menu (usually by pressing G) and look for the option to add players or set permissions. You can invite specific players by their username and choose what they're allowed to do — some can only build, others can open containers, and so on.
This is useful for cooperative building projects or if you want to let a friend use your farm. The person you invite can place and break blocks, open chests, and interact with your machines, but they still can't claim the land themselves or change the claim settings. You remain the owner and can remove their access at any time.
If you're playing single-player, this feature doesn't explore, but it's good to know for future multiplayer worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many claim blocks do I need to protect a large base?
One claim block protects a square area roughly 100 blocks on each side, depending on your modpack version. For most bases, one block is enough. If you want to protect multiple structures or a large farm, two or three blocks placed strategically will cover most needs. Start with one and expand only if you find you need more space.
What happens if I run out of Claim Chunks?
Your oldest claims will deactivate, starting with the first one you placed. Other players can then break blocks and interact with those areas. You won't lose the claim blocks themselves — they'll stay in the ground — but the protection stops working. Earn more chunks by playing, and you can reactivate them through the claim menu.
Can I move a Claim Block after I place it?
You can break your own claim block with a pickaxe and pick it up, then place it elsewhere. Breaking it temporarily removes protection from that area, so do this when you're sure no one else is nearby. Once you place it in the new location, protection resumes when ready.
Do I need to claim land if I'm playing alone?
No. Single-player worlds have no other players, so claims don't protect you from anyone. Many solo players skip claiming entirely and just build where they want. Claims are mainly useful on servers or in multiplayer worlds where other players might interfere with your builds.
How do I see the boundaries of my claimed area?
Open the claim menu (usually G) and look for a "show boundaries" or "visualize" option. The game will display particles or a colored outline showing exactly where your protection starts and stops. This makes it straightforward to see if you need to expand or if you've already covered the area you wanted.