diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/BlockChecks.java b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/BlockChecks.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..022365eb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/BlockChecks.java
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+package com.gmail.nossr50;
+
+import org.bukkit.Material;
+import org.bukkit.block.Block;
+
+import com.gmail.nossr50.config.LoadProperties;
+
+public class BlockChecks {
+
+    /**
+     * Checks to see if a block type awards XP.
+     *
+     * @param material {@link Block} type to check
+     * @return true if the block type awards XP, false otherwise
+     */
+    public static boolean shouldBeWatched(Material material) {
+        switch (material) {
+        case BROWN_MUSHROOM:
+        case CACTUS:
+        case CLAY:
+        case COAL_ORE:
+        case DIAMOND_ORE:
+        case DIRT:
+        case ENDER_STONE:
+        case GLOWING_REDSTONE_ORE:
+        case GLOWSTONE:
+        case GOLD_ORE:
+        case GRASS:
+        case GRAVEL:
+        case IRON_ORE:
+        case JACK_O_LANTERN:
+        case LAPIS_ORE:
+        case LOG:
+        case MELON_BLOCK:
+        case MOSSY_COBBLESTONE:
+        case MYCEL:
+        case NETHERRACK:
+        case OBSIDIAN:
+        case PUMPKIN:
+        case RED_MUSHROOM:
+        case RED_ROSE:
+        case REDSTONE_ORE:
+        case SAND:
+        case SANDSTONE:
+        case SOUL_SAND:
+        case STONE:
+        case SUGAR_CANE_BLOCK:
+        case VINE:
+        case WATER_LILY:
+        case YELLOW_FLOWER:
+            return true;
+
+        default:
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Check if a block should allow for the activation of abilities.
+     *
+     * @param material Type of {@link Block} to check
+     * @return true if the block should allow ability activation, false otherwise
+     */
+    public static boolean abilityBlockCheck(Material material) {
+        switch (material) {
+        case BED_BLOCK:
+        case BREWING_STAND:
+        case BOOKSHELF:
+        case BURNING_FURNACE:
+        case CAKE_BLOCK:
+        case CHEST:
+        case DISPENSER:
+        case ENCHANTMENT_TABLE:
+        case FENCE_GATE:
+        case FURNACE:
+        case IRON_DOOR_BLOCK:
+        case JUKEBOX:
+        case LEVER:
+        case NOTE_BLOCK:
+        case STONE_BUTTON:
+        case TRAP_DOOR:
+        case WALL_SIGN:
+        case WOODEN_DOOR:
+        case WORKBENCH:
+            return false;
+
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+
+        if (Material.getMaterial(LoadProperties.anvilID).equals(material)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        else {
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Check if a block type is an ore.
+     *
+     * @param material The type of {@link Block} to check
+     * @return true if the Block is an ore, false otherwise
+     */
+    public static boolean isOre(Material material) {
+        switch (material) {
+        case COAL_ORE:
+        case DIAMOND_ORE:
+        case GLOWING_REDSTONE_ORE:
+        case GOLD_ORE:
+        case IRON_ORE:
+        case LAPIS_ORE:
+        case REDSTONE_ORE:
+            return true;
+
+        default:
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/Combat.java b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/Combat.java
index 45b0f08d2..daba5777b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/Combat.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/Combat.java
@@ -99,16 +99,16 @@ public class Combat {
             }
             else if (itemInHand.getType().equals(Material.BONE) && mcPermissions.getInstance().taming(attacker) && targetType.equals(EntityType.WOLF)) {
                 Wolf wolf = (Wolf) target;
-                String message = "Combat.BeastLore" + " ";
+                String message = mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLore") + " ";
                 int health = wolf.getHealth();
                 event.setCancelled(true);
 
                 if (wolf.isTamed()) {
-                    message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreOwner", new Object[] {Taming.getOwnerName(wolf)}) + " ");
-                    message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreHealthWolfTamed", new Object[] {health}));
+                    message = message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreOwner", new Object[] {Taming.getOwnerName(wolf)}) + " ");
+                    message = message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreHealthWolfTamed", new Object[] {health}));
                 }
                 else {
-                    message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreHealthWolf", new Object[] {health}));
+                    message = message.concat(mcLocale.getString("Combat.BeastLoreHealthWolf", new Object[] {health}));
                 }
 
                 attacker.sendMessage(message);
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/listeners/mcPlayerListener.java b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/listeners/mcPlayerListener.java
index a913ed1bf..d3e5feeab 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/listeners/mcPlayerListener.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gmail/nossr50/listeners/mcPlayerListener.java
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ public class mcPlayerListener implements Listener
 		Block block = event.getClickedBlock();
 		ItemStack is = player.getItemInHand();
 		Material mat;
-        if (block.equals(null)) {
+        if (block == null) {
             mat = Material.AIR;
         }
         else {