MaceCooldown: Add Cooldown to Mace for Balanced Minecraft Combat

MaceCooldown

If you run a Minecraft server where the Mace has become a tool for relentless spam rather than a weapon of calculated power, MaceCooldown is the lightweight solution you need. This plugin introduces a smart, configurable cooldown that forces players to think before they swing, transforming chaotic combat into a balanced, skill-based experience. Whether you manage a competitive PvP arena, a survival world, or an RPG adventure map, MaceCooldown gives you full control over how often the Mace can be used.

What is MaceCooldown?

MaceCooldown is a performance-optimized plugin built for Paper and Spigot servers running Minecraft versions 1.21.1 through 1.21.11. It monitors every attack a player makes with a Mace in their main hand and immediately applies a cooldown, preventing that player from using the weapon again until a set duration expires. The cooldown is displayed visually through the vanilla Minecraft cooldown overlay, and players receive a clear chat message so there is never any confusion. Because it uses the native Player.setCooldown() API, integration is seamless and resource usage is negligible.

Key Features of MaceCooldown

• Fully configurable cooldown duration – set any number of seconds, from a brief tactical pause to a lengthy boss-fight restriction.
• Smart main-hand detection – only triggers when the Mace is actively used to attack an entity, ignoring off-hand swings and block breaking.
• Entity-agnostic – works against players, mobs, bosses, and custom entities from other plugins.
• Hot reload support – edit config.yml and run /macecooldown reload to apply changes without restarting the server.
• Master toggle – disable the entire cooldown mechanic instantly by setting cooldown-enabled: false in the config, perfect for special events.
• Admin-friendly permissions – the macecooldown.admin permission (default for operators) protects the reload command.
• Zero dependencies – no external libraries or database required; just drop the JAR into your plugins folder.

How to Install MaceCooldown for Minecraft

Getting MaceCooldown running on your server takes only a few minutes. First, make sure you are using a compatible server platform: Paper or Spigot for Minecraft 1.21.1 to 1.21.11, with Java 21 or newer. To download MaceCooldown, you can obtain the pre-compiled JAR from the official releases page or compile it from source using Maven. Once you have the file, follow these steps:

1. Stop your server completely.
2. Place the MaceCooldown-1.0.0.jar (or the latest version) into the plugins/ folder.
3. Start the server. The plugin will generate a default config.yml inside plugins/MaceCooldown/.
4. Open that config file and adjust cooldown-seconds to your desired value, or toggle the feature on/off.
5. Run /macecooldown reload in-game or via console to apply your settings instantly.

If you use the foxygame.net launcher to manage your Minecraft experience, MaceCooldown appears directly in its add-on catalog, letting you install it with a single click while the launcher handles version matching and future auto-updates for you.

Configuration and Commands

MaceCooldown keeps things simple with a single config.yml file. The two main settings are cooldown-enabled (true/false) and cooldown-seconds (default 120, which equals 2 minutes). The plugin automatically converts seconds into Minecraft ticks, so you never need to do math. Comments inside the file explain every option, making it easy even for first-time server owners.

The only command you need is /macecooldown reload (aliased as /mcd reload). When executed, it displays the current cooldown status and duration, confirming that your changes are live. The permission macecooldown.admin is required, and operators have it by default.

Why MaceCooldown Enhances Your Server

Without a cooldown, the Mace can quickly dominate any encounter. Players spam attacks, mob farms become trivial, and PvP duels lose all nuance. MaceCooldown for Minecraft solves this by forcing a rhythm: after one powerful strike, the attacker must either switch to a different weapon or wait for the cooldown to clear. This encourages weapon diversity, inventory management, and genuine tactical planning. On survival servers, it makes boss fights more intense; on mini-game arenas, it levels the playing field; and on RPG servers, it integrates naturally with class-based cooldown systems.

Server owners also appreciate the plugin's minimal footprint. It listens to a single event, uses less than 1 MB of memory, and has no measurable impact on TPS. The native cooldown overlay gives players clear visual feedback, so there is no need for extra resource packs or client mods.

Supported Versions and Loaders

MaceCooldown is purpose-built for modern Minecraft. It officially supports Paper and Spigot servers running any version from 1.21.1 up to 1.21.11. The plugin is compiled with Java 21, ensuring long-term stability and compatibility with the latest server software. Because it relies on the standard Bukkit/Spigot API, it works out of the box on both platforms without any special flags or patches. If you are still on an older 1.20.x server, you will need to upgrade to take advantage of the Mace item and this plugin.

Practical Use Cases

Imagine a PvP arena where the Mace cooldown is set to 60 seconds. Fighters can unleash one devastating blow per minute, but they must rely on swords, axes, or bows in between. This creates a dynamic ebb and flow that rewards timing and positioning. On a hard survival server, a 180-second cooldown turns the Mace into a rare, high-impact tool reserved for elite mobs or invading players. For a custom boss event, a 300-second cooldown means the Mace can be used only once or twice during the entire fight, dramatically raising the stakes. And if you ever want to disable the mechanic temporarily—say, for a fun chaos weekend—just flip cooldown-enabled to false and reload.

Final Thoughts

MaceCooldown is the focused, no-nonsense answer to Mace spam. It respects your server's performance, gives you complete control through a single config file, and integrates so cleanly that players will feel it is part of vanilla Minecraft. Whether you download MaceCooldown directly or discover it through the foxygame.net launcher's curated add-on selection, you are adding a layer of strategic depth that makes every swing count. Balance your combat, challenge your players, and let the Mace become the legendary weapon it was meant to be.