The Wand of Excavation
A Wand of Excavation breaking an Obsidian block
The Wand of Excavation is a thaumic alternative to using pickaxes to mine. Right-clicking creates a green beam focused on the cursor that breaks any blocks it touches. It breaks all blocks faster than by hand but is especially suited to dirt and stone-type blocks. In addition to the beam having a longer range than the player's usual reach, the Wand of Excavation has an extremely high durability (2000) which is even higher than diamond tools.
It is an excellent tool for mining, as it is usually much cheaper than a diamond pickaxe, can break every block a diamond pickaxe can mine, and has a long range.
Here is a video that explains the wand of excavation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88h3r8nhUOk
Advanced Uses[]
Since the wand of excavation has a long range, it can be used to activate mechanisms from a (relatively) long distance by removing a block next to a BUD switch. In addition, it is required for the operation of the Arcane Bore.
Thaumonomicon Entry[]
"You have successfully adapted the enchantment on an apprentice wand. You have turned it into a tool capable of moving vast amounts of earth and stone with little effort".
"Simply point it at what you want to excavate and the magic does the rest. Tougher materials take longer to mine, and anything other than earth, stone or similar materials will take much longer to mine".
Research Details[]
Required Research: Unified Thaumic Field Theory
| Wand of Excavation |
|---|
 Instrumentum |
 Metallum |
 Praecantatio |
 Saxum |
Crafting[]
The Wand of Excavation requires three Earth Shards and a Wand of the Apprentice to be crafted at an Infusion Altar along with 50 vis. It also requires four Instrumentum and 16 Metallum Essentia. Sometimes it crashes your game as you take it out of the Infusion Altar, but when you log in again, it is safely in your inventory or hotbar.
Video of Wand Of Excavation (german)[]
Wand Of Excavation Shovel Of The Earthmover Thaumcraft 3 FTB LITE Tutorial 9
(GERMAN) Alles über Wand Of Excavation & Shovel Of The Earthmover