Rediscovering Classic Mining with the No Raw Ore Mod
Minecraft’s Caves & Cliffs update brought sweeping changes to the underground experience, but one alteration still divides the community: the introduction of raw ore drops. Before version 1.17, mining an iron or gold block rewarded you with the ore block itself, which you then smelted into ingots. Now, those blocks drop raw iron, raw gold, or raw copper, shifting the rhythm of resource gathering. If you miss the old-school feel where ores dropped as themselves, the No Raw Ore mod and datapack offer a clean, lightweight solution that reverts this specific mechanic without touching anything else.
What Exactly Does No Raw Ore Change?
This modification restores the classic behavior for all standard overworld ores—iron, gold, and copper—so that they drop the ore block when mined with the correct tool. It does not alter Nether Gold Ore or Gilded Blackstone, leaving those unique Nether resources untouched. The result is a seamless return to pre-1.17 mining logic, where your inventory fills with familiar ore blocks ready for the furnace. The change is purely mechanical; textures, world generation, and ore distribution remain exactly as they are in your current version.
A Datapack and a Mod in One Package
No Raw Ore comes in two formats to suit different playstyles. The datapack version is perfect for vanilla purists who want to keep their game unmodded but still tweak loot tables. The mod version, delivered as a .jar file, integrates with popular mod loaders like Fabric or Forge, making it a natural fit for modded servers and custom packs. Both achieve the same goal, so you can choose whichever installation method feels more comfortable.
How the Mechanics Work Behind the Scenes
Under the hood, the datapack overrides the default loot tables for iron_ore, gold_ore, and copper_ore. Instead of dropping raw materials, the tables now point back to the ore block itself. The mod version does the same but through code, ensuring compatibility with other mods that might alter ore drops. This means you can combine No Raw Ore with mods like Fortune tweaks or custom smelting recipes without conflicts, as long as those mods don’t specifically target the same loot table entries.
Installation Guide for Both Versions
Getting No Raw Ore up and running is straightforward, regardless of which route you take. Below are the steps for each method. Remember, you only need one—installing both simultaneously is unnecessary and could cause unexpected behavior.
Datapack Installation
- Download the No Raw Ore .zip archive.
- Navigate to your Minecraft saves folder:
.minecraft/saves/yourworldname/datapacks, whereyourworldnameis the exact name of your world. - Copy the .zip file directly into the datapacks folder—do not unzip it.
- If the world is already loaded, run the
/reloadcommand or re-enter the world to activate the datapack.
Mod Installation
- Download the .jar file for your mod loader of choice.
- Place the .jar into your mods folder, typically found at
.minecraft/modsfor Fabric or Forge installations. - Launch the game with the corresponding mod loader profile.
If you’re using a modern launcher like foxygame.net, the process becomes even more streamlined; the launcher’s integrated mod browser lets you find No Raw Ore and install it directly from the menu, eliminating the need to manually move files around. This is especially handy when managing multiple mods or quickly setting up a classic-style world.
Compatibility and Known Issues
No Raw Ore is designed to be lightweight and conflict-free. It works with Minecraft versions 1.17 and above, including the latest updates. The mod version has been tested with Fabric and Forge, and the datapack functions on any vanilla server or single-player world. Since it only modifies three loot tables, it rarely clashes with other mods, but if you encounter any problems—like ores dropping nothing or double-dropping—the developer recommends reporting issues on their Discord server. Always make sure you’re using the correct version for your game build to avoid version mismatch errors.
Why Players Choose This Over Vanilla Settings
The appeal of No Raw Ore goes beyond simple nostalgia. Many builders and redstone engineers prefer ore blocks because they can be placed directly as decorative elements or compact storage. Raw ore items, on the other hand, cannot be placed as blocks without crafting them back into ore blocks, adding an extra step. For skyblock or custom map creators, the old drop system can simplify progression logic. And for those who simply enjoy the tactile satisfaction of seeing ore blocks pop out of stone, this mod restores that moment.
Final Thoughts on Restoring a Classic Feel
No Raw Ore proves that even a tiny tweak can dramatically shift your Minecraft experience. By reverting ore drops to their pre-1.17 state, it gives players control over a change that not everyone welcomed. Whether you choose the datapack for a vanilla-friendly approach or the mod for deeper integration, the installation is painless and the impact immediate. If you’ve ever caught yourself wishing that iron ore would just drop as iron ore again, this modification delivers exactly that, with zero fuss and full respect for the rest of your game’s balance.