the best designed minecraft blocks? (vanilla or mod)

[johnt]

I'm going to nominate the note blocks from vanilla. They managed to incorporate a huge variety of sounds without adding any extra UI. They aren't particularly useful, exactly, but they completely satisfied a basic function for a redstone system. They're also challenging to use correctly in a fun way.

My second choice from vanilla would be the redstone repeater.

My third choice would be the piston.

For btw, the hopper I think has the most best design because it performs a very complex task with a very simple UI and without cheating the way other mods handle filtering like BC.

Second would be the saw, and third would be the hibachi.

[Six]

This is an interesting question for sure. I'd have to say a special mention has to go out to the Thaumcraft 2 Infuser, not so much for the gameplay design, but for the amazing look it had, with a crisp texture on the top which rotated when active. Azanor has a way of creating really nice visuals in MC, while still keeping a good style.

[BigShinyToys]

I would have to nominate the gearbox and axle two blocks with a thousand uses. Both simple elements that can be used to build very complex and useful systems while keeping a level of realism to there function.

[Extreme Boyheat]

Dungblocks

[Katalliaan]

To me, the piston is the best designed block. It's a simple concept that's still very versatile - it can be used in pretty much any type of farm, in hidden doors, as an early-game alternative to lenses for upwards redstone transmission, to find nearby caves (place one facing a wall and power it; if it extends, there's an open space in that direction), and, when it was a mod, it could be used to build transport structures to send Steve flying through the air from place to place.

The runner-up to me would be the block dispenser. It's a very powerful block with some functions that feel like they don't quite belong, such as the ability to clump clay and snow balls into their respective blocks.

[Kombucha]

Dungblocks

I have to agree with this. I'd been mentioning BTW to a friend of mine for months. The topic of Dung finally came up and upon hearing that he could build his house completely out of poo he finally installed the mod.

The only thing that could possible make Dung Blocks more perfect would be a particle effect.

[FlowerChild]

Redstone torches ftw.

Seriously guys...consider the versatility of that single block and everything it makes possible. They really are a brilliant and elegant design for bringing digital circuitry into a fantasy game without totally breaking suspension of disbelief.

We're likely so habituated to their use, and they fit so seamlessly into the game, that we don't even really see them anymore, but take a moment to consider the unsung hero of pretty much every technical build in the game.

<pours one on the curb for the redstone torch>

[BlackCat]

Block dispensers and buddy blocks.

I use them religiously.

Edit: As far as vanilla goes I'm going to have to agree wholeheartedly with FC.

[dawnraider]

1. RS torch
2. BD
3. Hopper
4. Piston
5. Repeater
6. DB
7. Screw pump
8. Buddy
9. Lens
10. Wool slabs

[someonetobe]

Workbench.

[MoRmEnGiL]

Sandstone.

Ok seriously, I'm very tempted to say pistons, but given how much bugs they have introduced with them this far, I'm not sure they were designed so much as thrown together ;P

Yup, it's rs torch hands down.

[EpicAaron]

I think the stone block is pretty well designed. Our worlds would be empty without them, and so much can be built with them!

[Stormweaver]

Fences (and later subtypes).

While stuff like the redstone torch is in itself an innovation, when it comes to aesthetics, fences have no competition.

[CumuloNimbus10]

Water

This may not be a "block", but it is probably one of the most significant parts of MC due to its versatility. It is used for so many things, such as aesthetic and practical purposes. The fact that water can spread from its source and be channeled to make certain things makes it an amazing part of MC.

[EtherealWrath]

Favourite mod item- Flowerchild's hopper.

Vanilla- noteblock, for the sake of having this as my doorbell-http://youtu.be/zUwEIt9ez7M

[enzyme_a113_2]

The Better than Wolves lens. It's uses are amazing, ranging from laser tripwires to vertical redstone, and even wireless signalling. I've seen similar features in other tech mods, but this pulls it off much better.