Fox's Combat Shovels
Have you ever stared at a zombie and thought, "You know what would solve this? A shovel." Probably not, but that is exactly the kind of chaotic energy that makes Minecraft modding so much fun. Fox's Combat Shovels takes the humble shovel and turns it into a proper weapon, giving you a hybrid tool that digs like a shovel and swings like a sword. If you enjoy weird but practical gear, this add-on deserves a spot in your loadout.
What Are Combat Shovels?
Fox's Combat Shovels is a small, focused mod that introduces a new weapon class: the combat shovel. Each one combines a shovel and a sword into a single item. That means you can dig dirt, sand, gravel, and other shovel-friendly blocks at normal speed while still dealing solid melee damage to whatever wanders into your base at night. Instead of carrying two tools, you carry one.
The real draw is enchantment flexibility. Combat shovels accept both shovel enchantments and sword enchantments, so you can stack Efficiency, Sharpness, Unbreaking, and more on the same item. The only exception is Sweeping Edge, which does not apply here. This makes a well-enchanted combat shovel surprisingly strong for a tool that also moves dirt.
The Charged Right-Click Attack
Combat shovels are not just stat sticks. They have a special right-click attack that sets them apart from ordinary swords.
- Hold right-click to charge a stunning blow before releasing it.
- The hit deals bonus knockback and applies Slowness and Nausea to the target.
- Two dedicated enchantments, Stunning and Crushing, upgrade this attack. Stunning extends the duration of the debuffs, while Crushing increases the damage dealt.
That nausea effect is genuinely useful in a fight. A mob that cannot aim straight is a mob that misses, which buys you time to reposition or finish the job. Against players in PvP, a charged hit can completely disrupt their rhythm.
Supported Versions and Loaders
Fox's Combat Shovels is built for Forge, and the mod targets modern Minecraft releases in the 1.16 through 1.19 range. A Fabric version is not planned, so Forge remains the only way to run it. If you are on a different loader, you will need to switch or skip this one. Always check the file list on the mod page to confirm the exact game version before you download Fox's Combat Shovels, since mismatched builds are the most common cause of crashes.
If you would rather skip manual file juggling, the foxygame.net launcher handles the whole process for you. It bundles a curated add-on catalog where Fox's Combat Shovels sits alongside other combat mods, so you can install it with a single click and let the launcher keep it updated when new builds drop.
Tiers and Future Plans
Right now there is a combat shovel for every vanilla tier, from wooden all the way up to netherite. The developer has also outlined plans to expand the mod further.
- Support for modded materials, so shovels can be crafted from other mods' metals and gems.
- Additional or reworked right-click attack options.
These are listed as future goals rather than finished features, so treat them as a roadmap and not a promise. Still, the vanilla tier coverage alone gives you plenty to work with from the first day.
How to Install
Getting started is straightforward if you already run a Forge profile.
- Install the correct Forge version for your Minecraft release.
- Place the downloaded jar file into your mods folder.
- Launch the game and confirm the mod loads on the main menu.
- Craft a combat shovel using the same recipe shape as a normal shovel, then enchant it at an anvil or enchanting table.
If the game crashes on startup, double-check that your Forge build and the mod file match. Version conflicts account for most failed installs.
Final Thoughts
Fox's Combat Shovels is a compact mod with a clear idea, and it executes that idea well. Turning a digging tool into a legitimate weapon with debuff attacks and dual enchantment support adds real variety to early and mid-game combat. It will not replace your netherite sword, but it does not need to. For players who like efficient inventory management and unconventional tactics, this add-on earns its place. Download Fox's Combat Shovels for Minecraft, craft a few tiers, and see how much chaos one shovel can cause.