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Mods

Better Combat

Better Combat is a Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge mod that overhauls Minecraft Java's melee combat with combo attacks, directional slashes, and weapon animations inspired by Minecraft Dungeons, supporting versions 1.18.2 through 1.21.11.

By ZsoltMolnarrr via Modrinth.

Better Combat mod showing a one-handed slash attack animation in Minecraft Java
Section
Java Mod
Platform
Java
Versions
v 1.18.2 / 1.19.2 / 1.20.1 / 1.21.1 / 1.21.4 / 1.21.11
Last checked
Updated
Better Combat mod one-handed slam attack animation in Minecraft Java
Better Combat mod one-handed slam attack animation in Minecraft Java
Better Combat mod one-handed stab attack animation in Minecraft Java
Better Combat mod one-handed stab attack animation in Minecraft Java

Better Combat overhauls Minecraft Java Edition's melee combat with directional slash, slam, and stab animations drawn from Minecraft Dungeons. Each weapon type has its own attack motion, so a sword swings differently from a hammer or spear. The mod runs on Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge and supports Minecraft 1.18.2 through 1.21.11.

What Better Combat changes in-game

Vanilla Minecraft uses a single swing animation for every weapon. Better Combat replaces this with a set of weapon-class attack patterns: one-handed weapons perform sweeping slashes and stabs, two-handed weapons deliver wide slams, and dual-wielded weapons chain alternating strikes. Attack animations are tied to weapon type rather than player input, so the change is visible the moment you equip a different weapon.

  • Directional slash, slam, and stab animations per weapon class
  • Dual-wielding with alternating attack sequences
  • Combo system with timing-based follow-up strikes
  • Compatible with custom weapons added by other mods
  • Configurable via in-game screen (requires Cloth Config API)

How to install Better Combat

Better Combat requires three library mods alongside your loader. Install all of them before placing Better Combat in your mods folder.

  1. 1.Install Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge for your target Minecraft version.
  2. 2.Download Cloth Config API and Player Animation Library from Modrinth. On Fabric, also download Fabric API.
  3. 3.Download Better Combat from Modrinth and drop all the .jar files into your mods folder.
  4. 4.Launch Minecraft and confirm the mods screen lists Better Combat and all three dependencies.

Loaders, versions, and dependencies

  • Loaders: Fabric, Forge, NeoForge
  • Minecraft versions: 1.18.2, 1.19.2, 1.20.1, 1.21.1, 1.21.4, 1.21.11 (plus intermediate releases)
  • Required on all loaders: Cloth Config API, Player Animation Library
  • Required on Fabric only: Fabric API
  • Side: client and server (both required)

Questions about this entry.

  • How do I install Better Combat?

    Download Better Combat and its required libraries (Cloth Config API and Player Animation Library, plus Fabric API on Fabric) from Modrinth. Place all the .jar files in your Minecraft mods folder alongside Fabric, Forge, or NeoForge for your version.

  • Does Better Combat work with Forge and NeoForge?

    Yes. Better Combat supports Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge. On Forge and NeoForge you need Cloth Config API and Player Animation Library. Fabric API is only required when running on the Fabric loader.

  • Does Better Combat work on multiplayer servers?

    Yes, but it must be installed on both the client and the server. If only the client has it, you will get a connection error or be kicked when joining a server without the mod.

  • Which Minecraft version does Better Combat support?

    Better Combat supports Minecraft Java Edition from 1.18.2 through 1.21.11, with builds for major releases including 1.19.2, 1.20.1, 1.21.1, and 1.21.4. Check the Modrinth page for the latest release.

  • Is Better Combat compatible with weapon mods?

    Better Combat is built to recognize weapon types registered by other mods and apply matching attack animations. Compatibility with specific weapon mods depends on how those mods register their items. Check the Better Combat Modrinth page or GitHub for confirmed compatible pairings.