block or xref

I have a job of, uncertain parentage. it's a bas___d.
there are posts with curved brackets under a deck.
the deck is rounded, the posts set at odd angles round the curve, so the
elevation just screams to be 3d.
I am under orders to draw it 2d. not that I very often follow
instructions like this, but...
in the spirit of compromise, I will let them have their elevation 2d,
but I am doing the darn deck in 3d anyway. I intend to paste the two
together and plot. no one (else) will ever be the wiser. this will save
headaches of editing when they change all those windows on the back
elevation willy nilly as well. HIDE.
page 2
my 2d elevation, I don't want to have to edit it in my 3d deck drawing.
now I will ask my question.
I have never created an xref, just worked with other people's xrefs, and
only when forced to do so. never saw the need. blocks I understand.
it's just me, I don't need to communicate with a group. I will be
keeping the elevation in a 2d file. I am leaning tword making a block of
the back elevation and iserting it in the 3d file so the only
manuipulation I need do with it is locating it and forgetting any
editing there. if editing is required, I will redefine the block by
inserting it as a dwg.
would there be any advantages to using an xref?
are they just glorified blocks that are convenient for people who work
in groups and need supervision, or do they have some magical pixie dust
I would become religiously addicted to had I not been so hard headed all
these years?
OPINIONS SOLICITED.