Decade of Digging
Minecraft has spent over a decade evolving, and with that evolution, plenty of odd, experimental, and beloved features have been left behind. Decade of Digging is a Forge mod created by EnderPreston, the mind behind SoniCraft, and it sets out to bring a treasure trove of that forgotten content back into the modern game. From scrapped Java Edition items to Bedrock Edition curiosities and even mobs inspired by Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Earth, this add-on is a love letter to the community that has kept the blocky sandbox alive for so long.
What Decade of Digging Adds to Minecraft
The mod is still in its early stages, and many items cannot be crafted yet, but the roster of restored and reimagined content is already impressive. It was originally built to celebrate Minecraft hitting one trillion views on YouTube, and while it missed that milestone, the tribute spirit remains intact. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect after you download Decade of Digging.
Removed Java Edition Content
- Enchanted Obsidian, formerly Old Crying Obsidian, which acts like a bookshelf near an Enchanting Table but twice as powerful
- Gear, which is not redstone compatible but can be right-clicked to change direction
- Rose, sharing the exact properties of a Poppy
- Tuna, the renamed pre-1.13 fish, which can be cooked or placed in a bucket
Bedrock and Education Edition Blocks
- Nether Reactor Core, functioning like its pre-alpha 0.12.0 counterpart
- PE Stonecutter, Glowing Obsidian, info_update, Camera, and Tripod mounting
- Cyan Rose, Allow and Deny blocks, Underwater Torch, and the Border wall
- Compound Creator, Material Reducer, Element Constructor, and Lab Table
- Sparklers in all five colors, crafted with the new Sparkler Stick
- Agent, controlled with a remote instead of Education Edition scripting
Story Mode, Dungeons, and Earth Mobs
Fans of the spin-offs will find plenty to enjoy. The Redstone Heart doubles as a light source, the Formidi-Bomb is a volatile work in progress, and the Redstone Monstrosity arrives as a genuinely tough boss that demands Netherite gear and Enchanted Golden Apples. Defeating it earns you the Redstone Monstrosity Head trophy. The Key Golem works alongside the new Redstone Keyhole input, while the Redstone Cube spawns occasionally from the Monstrosity itself.
From Minecraft Earth, Decade of Digging for Minecraft reintroduces the Buttercup, Pink Daisy, Moobloom, and Moolip, all of which spawn in the Flower Forest. If you already run another mod that adds Mooblooms, a gamerule lets you disable these to avoid conflicts.
Miscellaneous Goodies
- 10th Anniversary Gold, Armor, and Sword, plus the explosive Firework Sword
- Iron and Netherite Hammers that double as pickaxes and repair anvils
- Steve and Alex Clothes for dressing up as the defaults
- Missing Texture Block, Planet Minecraft Logo, Nova Skin Computer, and Possessed Cobblestone
- Dan the Creeper, Villager #5, Fabric, Block of Fabric, and Fabricated Forge
- Mojangs, the six gizmos that make up the Mojang Studios logo
Supported Versions and Loader
Decade of Digging is a Forge mod, and the creator has stated clearly that there are no plans to port it to Fabric. The mod targets Minecraft 1.17.1, which means you will need a matching Forge build for that version. Because it is still in development, expect some features to be unfinished, glitchy, or uncraftable for now. The Sparklers work but are a little unstable, and several Education Edition blocks are decorative placeholders rather than fully functional machines.
If you want a smoother setup, the foxygame.net launcher makes adding Decade of Digging a one-click affair, handling the correct Forge version automatically so you can focus on exploring rather than troubleshooting.
How to Install Decade of Digging
Getting started is straightforward for anyone familiar with modding. First, confirm you are running Minecraft 1.17.1 with a compatible Forge installation. Next, place the downloaded mod file into your mods folder, which you can find inside your Minecraft directory. Launch the Forge profile, and the new blocks, items, and mobs should appear in your world. If you are unsure about how to install, double-check that your Forge version matches your game version, since a mismatch is the most common cause of crashes.
Final Thoughts
Decade of Digging is a charming tribute that celebrates everything Minecraft has been over the years, from scrapped experiments to spin-off adventures. It is not a finished product yet, but the foundation is full of personality and nostalgia. Whether you want to battle the Redstone Monstrosity or simply plant a Buttercup in your Flower Forest, this mod offers a delightful walk through Minecraft history. Give it a try, share your suggestions with the creator, and enjoy the dig.