Yes, I'm aware of that property of workbenches. Good point about terraforming consequences, thanks.

Much appreciated, thanks!

Originally posted by Daggerrinski:

enemy´s

*enemies

You've already got your answer, but just to add onto it, terraforming to the degree you were initially asking for is a pretty bad idea. That much terraforming causes stress on the game and will eat up resources more than it initially did.

Easiest way to disable monster spawn points is by using the workbench method. Enemies can't spawn within certain distances from specific structures. Anywhere within the building radius of a workbench can't have enemies spawn, so people will cover their bases completely with the workbench radius so enemies will spawn outside of your base, and you can make them spawn really far away if you want. You can even somewhat bury the workbenches underground (not completely) to protect them from damage and keep the range even farther.

Thanks for taking the time to answer!
My question, however, is not "will enemies traverse deep water if I give them a reason," nor "how do I disable monster spawns?"
My question is, "will eliminating all dry land within spawning range disable (land-based) monster spawns?"
I apologize if I've misunderstood your answer.

I've not tried it myself as I found I prefer to put a base further inland to moat/wall it up for safety.

Docks are small with benches to fix up the boat and save parts if destroyed. Typically I will box up my boat rather than leave them out.

it might be easier to set up workbenches on the island chain rather than dig them out... that said though if you do decide to test it please let us know how it worked out for you.

I wouldn't mind putting bases in places like that myself if I felt I could make it secure enough.

I just did a little diggin in the wiki and here is what i found.
"Valid spawn point
A spawn point is randomly selected between 40 - 80 meters of a random player in the zone. Spawn point is not valid if:

-Location has wrong biome
-The zone of the location has multiple biome (if full biome is required)
-Covered by a structure
-Blocked by player base
-Wrong altitude
-Wrong terrain angle
-Wrong amount of water
-A player exists within 40 meters
-Location is not inside a forest (if a forest is required). Forests are determined on the world generation. Terraforming or trees don't affect it."

And the only things that can spawn below -5meters of water are fish3 (everywhere) and serpents (ocean)

So if you dig 3 walls deeper that the water level nothing exept fish should spawn.
.... i should have done this an hour ago, sorry ;P.

Not really, some enemy´s can swim even with deeper waters, and some seem ? to walk on the seafloor (saw few skeletons from the event spawning on the mainland and the next time i look over from my island they are on my beach).
Also as far as i now there is a limit on how deep you can mine down, but i have not tested that below waterlevel.

If you want to stop random spawns nearby you will need to place workbenches.
Place a workbench and a stonecutter if you have it and then make a stonecoffin around the workbench, tear down the cutter, move to the edge of the workbenches radius and repeat till you coverd enough of the land next to the island.
Stakewalls are also an option, as long as the monsters dont see the workbench they will not attack.
But sometimes mobs could still walk into the area, or follow another monster they are attacking.

Creating a moat won't necessarily reduce monster spawns however it might make it slightly more difficult for them to reach your base. Greydwarves and such can swim, although they're slow at it and seem reluctant to go very far.

If you really want to cut down on spawns, placing a workbench or campfire will prevent monsters from spawning within their effect radius.

Hi, maybe I was unclear. I'm not just talking about a moat; I'm talking about mining down all the land for maybe 30 meters.