Micro-Tools, Macro-Tools, and More! – A Unique Minecraft Mod
If you have ever wished for a way to stretch your resources further in Minecraft or to wield tools that feel truly colossal, the Micro-Tools, Macro-Tools, and More! mod delivers exactly that. Originally known as Mini-Picks and More, this solo-developed project introduces a clever tier of scaled-down and scaled-up equipment, fresh endgame materials, and even a new food source scattered across your world. It is a mod that respects vanilla crafting logic while adding layers of strategy for players who love to tinker with efficiency and power.
New Endgame Materials: Icosium and Likynium
Beyond the familiar diamond gear, this mod introduces two custom resources that reshape the late-game hierarchy. Icosium is a material slightly weaker than diamond but far more accessible once you start mining at the right levels. Its ore generates between Y-levels 20 and 60 in both the Overworld and the Nether, dropping Icosium Dust that you smelt into ingots. Icosium tools boast 1000 durability, an efficiency of 9.5, and a harvest level of 4, making them a reliable bridge between diamond and something greater. The armor set provides respectable protection with reduction amounts of 3, 7, 6, and 3 from helmet to boots.
Then comes Likynium, the true powerhouse. Crafted by combining Icosic Gems (made from four Icosium Ingots and a diamond) with diamonds in a press-like pattern, Likynium Ingots form the backbone of tools with 3500 durability, 11.5 efficiency, and 6 attack damage. Its armor totals 30 durability and offers reduction values of 4, 9, 8, 4. To complete the set, you will need Icosium Sticks, which use the standard stick recipe but with Icosium Ingots. This layered crafting chain feels rewarding, as if you are compressing raw potential into a near-unbreakable form.
Mini-Tools: Half the Size, Twice the Strategy
The core innovation of this mod is the mini-tool system. Every vanilla and modded material can be crafted into a miniature pickaxe, axe, or shovel using a special half-resource recipe. These tools have exactly half the durability of their full-sized counterparts, but they cost only a fraction of the materials. For example, a mini-pickaxe uses one half-ingot (or half-gem) and a single stick in the 2x2 crafting grid. This is perfect for early-game resource conservation or for tasks where you do not need a full tool’s lifespan. Mini-axes require two sticks and the half-resource, while mini-shovels use one stick and the half-resource. The mod even adds half-resource splitting recipes: a diamond or ingot can be broken into two half-diamonds or half-ingots, and these can be recombined later. It is a simple but brilliant way to avoid wasting precious materials on a tool you might only use for a few blocks.
Macro-Tools: Five Times the Might
On the opposite end of the spectrum, macro-tools are the giants of the crafting bench. Currently available for pickaxes, these behemoths require reinforced materials—essentially compressed blocks of the base resource—and deliver five times the durability of a standard tool. Imagine a macro-pickaxe made from reinforced diamond: it will last through massive excavation projects without flinching. The recipes are more expensive, but for players who manage large-scale builds or quarry entire chunks, the investment pays off quickly. The mod author has hinted that macro-axes and macro-shovels may arrive in future updates, so keep an eye on the changelog.
Half-Resource and Reinforced Crafting
To support the mini and macro systems, the mod introduces a full set of half-resource items. Wood planks can be quartered into a half-wood piece, cobblestone splits into a half-stone, and all ingots and gems get their own half variants. These are not just for tools—they can be used in any recipe that calls for a smaller quantity, giving you granular control over your inventory. Reinforced materials, on the other hand, are dense blocks crafted from nine full resources, used exclusively for macro-tools. This dual approach means you can scale your tools down or up depending on the task, all within the familiar 2x2 or 3x3 grids.
Berries and World Generation
While tools are the star of the show, the mod also sprinkles a bit of nature into your world. Berry plants generate naturally across the map, and you can harvest berries to eat or collect seeds to grow your own. The plants go through growth stages, and although there is a known bug where stage-1 plants sometimes drop multiple seeds, it is a minor quirk that actually helps you establish a berry farm faster. It is a small but welcome addition that makes exploration feel a little more rewarding.
Installation and Compatibility
This mod is built for Minecraft version 1.7.10 and requires Forge, so you will need to set up the appropriate modded profile. Once Forge is installed, simply place the downloaded jar file into your mods folder. If you prefer a more streamlined experience, many players find that using a dedicated launcher like foxygame.net makes mod management effortless—you can browse and install mods directly from the menu without manually moving files, and the launcher keeps everything organized across different versions. The mod has evolved through several updates, from the original Mini-Picks and More to version 1.2.1, which renamed a stick bundle item for clarity and tweaked textures. Always check the official Minecraft Forum thread for the latest build and changelog details.
What Makes This Mod Worth Trying
Micro-Tools, Macro-Tools, and More! stands out because it does not overwhelm you with dozens of new ores or complicated machines. Instead, it refines the tool progression you already know and gives you meaningful choices. Do you craft a full diamond pickaxe and commit the resources, or do you make a mini version and save the rest for armor? When you finally stockpile enough Icosium and diamonds, the leap to Likynium feels like a genuine achievement. The half-resource system alone can change how you approach mining trips, and the macro-tools are a dream for anyone who has ever burned through three pickaxes clearing out a single stronghold.
Whether you are a veteran builder, a resource-conscious survivor, or just someone who enjoys seeing new crafting recipes, this mod adds a layer of depth that fits neatly into vanilla-style gameplay. The berry plants and reinforced materials round out the package, making the world feel a bit more alive and your tools feel truly yours. Give it a try, experiment with the mini and macro recipes, and see how much further your resources can take you.