Custom Advancements
The vanilla advancement system in Minecraft has always been a bit rigid. You get the trees Mojang designed, and that is it. For players who want more control over progression, or for modpack creators who want to build an entire experience around tasks and rewards, that limitation can be frustrating. Custom Advancements changes all of that by turning the advancement screen into a fully customizable framework.
This mod lets you add as many new advancements as you like, remove ones you do not want, and even edit the advancements that already exist in the game or come from other mods. Everything is driven by simple JSON files, which means you are not locked into a complicated editor or a proprietary format. If you can write a text file, you can build a progression tree.
What Custom Advancements Actually Does
The core idea is straightforward: the mod creates a folder called customadvancements in your game directory. Drop an advancement .json file into that folder, and the mod loads it the next time you launch the game. That is the entire workflow for adding content. Removing advancements is handled through config options, and editing existing ones is done by generating their JSON files with the in-game command /ca generate advancement all, then modifying them as needed.
Beyond the basics, the mod adds several quality-of-life features that make it genuinely useful for serious packs:
- Translations are supported, so your custom advancements can display in multiple languages.
- You can require a parent advancement to be completed before the next one unlocks, creating true dependency chains.
- A config option lets the mod reset your advancements when you die, which is perfect for hardcore or challenge-based playthroughs.
- You can reorder the advancement tabs in the advancement screen through the config.
- Custom background images can be assigned to each tab, or you can let the mod draw a gradient instead of the default repeating texture.
Each of these features also works with advancements from other mods, and every one of them can be toggled individually. That level of granularity matters when you are building a pack where one mechanic might conflict with another.
Version Support and Loaders
Custom Advancements has been available for a wide range of Minecraft versions over the years, and the developer has confirmed that a revamp is in progress for 1.21.1 targeting both NeoForge and Fabric. Older releases cover the 1.16 through 1.20 era on Forge and Fabric, so most modpacks currently in circulation have a compatible build available. If you are running a legacy pack, check the file list for your exact game version before assuming support is missing.
One known caveat: as of version 1.21.1-8.0.0, the mod is partially incompatible with BetterAdvancements and similar mods that completely replace the advancement screen. Custom advancement loading still works, but custom backgrounds and tab sorting will not function. If you rely on those visual features, you will need to choose between the two mods.
How to Install
Installation follows the standard mod workflow. Place the correct JAR file for your loader and game version into your mods folder, then launch the game once to generate the config and the customadvancements directory. From there, you can start dropping in JSON files or use the generation command to pull existing advancements for editing. If you prefer a smoother setup, the foxygame.net launcher handles Custom Advancements as a one-click install and keeps it updated automatically, which removes the guesswork around matching loader versions.
For anyone managing a large modpack, the foxygame.net launcher also organizes add-ons like Custom Advancements in a browsable catalog, so you can add or remove it without manually hunting through file directories.
Who Should Use This Mod
Modpack creators are the obvious audience. If you want your pack to revolve around an advancement-driven quest system, this mod gives you the tools to build it without writing a single line of Java. But regular players benefit too. A death-reset advancement run adds real stakes to a survival world, and custom backgrounds make the advancement screen feel like part of your pack rather than an afterthought.
The JSON-based approach means the learning curve is gentle, and the included wiki covers the deeper details for anyone who wants to push the system further. If you have ever looked at the advancement screen and wished it did more, download Custom Advancements and start building the progression system you actually want.