Dirt

Dirt is a versatile terraforming resource in Timberborn, used primarily for reshaping the landscape to control water flow, create farmland, and build up terrain. It is obtained through the Dirt Excavator, a powered building that digs into the ground in a 5x5 area, extracting Dirt layer by layer. The Dirt Excavator can continue mining indefinitely without destroying the lowest terrain layer, providing an essentially unlimited supply of Dirt for ambitious landscaping projects.

The primary use for Dirt is in constructing terrain blocks through the placement system, allowing you to raise ground levels, build dams, create levees, and shape the landscape to redirect water during both wet seasons and droughts. Effective water management is central to Timberborn gameplay, and Dirt is the key material that enables it. By building earthen barriers, you can create reservoirs to store water for dry periods, redirect river flows to irrigate new farming areas, and protect your colony from flooding.

The Dirt Excavator requires significant power and occupies a 6x5 footprint, so placement needs careful planning. It only accepts power through the ends of its front wings, and no buildings can exist beneath its 5x5 excavation blade. Despite these constraints, having at least one Dirt Excavator running is highly recommended for any established colony. The ability to shape terrain on demand gives you control over your environment that no other resource can provide. Pair your Dirt production with a clear terraforming plan, whether that means building a massive reservoir, creating canal systems, or leveling terrain for new districts.