What Is the Vending Machine Mod?
Imagine wandering through a village in Minecraft and stumbling upon a mysterious machine that offers a fresh batch of random items every morning. The Vending Machine mod brings exactly that experience, adding a fun and balanced way to acquire both vanilla and modded items using emeralds as currency. Whether you are a survival player looking for a daily surprise or a map maker designing a custom adventure, this mod fits right in.
The core idea is simple: vending machines spawn in villages, each containing seven randomly selected items that restock at dawn. The selection is carefully curated to avoid game-breaking items by default, so you will never find overpowered gear that trivializes progression. Instead, you will encounter useful tools, food, building blocks, and occasionally rare treasures that keep every new day exciting.
Two Modes for Different Playstyles
The mod operates in two distinct modes, giving both casual players and dedicated map designers full control over how vending machines behave.
Random Village Vending Machines
By default, vending machines appear naturally in villages across your world. Each morning, they restock with seven different items pulled from a broad pool that includes Minecraft items and compatible modded content. The rarity system determines both the price and the purchase limit for each slot. Common items cost a single emerald and can be bought up to eight times, while epic items demand a hefty 64 emeralds and are limited to one purchase. This keeps the economy engaging without flooding your inventory with high-tier gear.
Fixed Vending Machines for Map Designers
For those building custom maps, especially post-apocalyptic or scenario-driven worlds, the fixed mode is a game changer. You can define exactly which items a machine sells—up to seven—and place multiple machines with different configurations. For example, you could set up a food vending machine, a potion vending machine, and a tool vending machine, each with its own preset stock. Once placed and opened, the machine locks in its items, making it a permanent fixture of your map. This flexibility opens up endless possibilities for storytelling and resource management challenges.
Currency, Rarity, and Customization
Emeralds are the default currency, but the configuration file lets you switch to any item you like—diamonds, eggs, shulker boxes, or even custom coins from other mods. The rarity tiers are fully adjustable, and you can assign items to tiers based on their mod ID, tags, or specific names. Here is a quick breakdown of the default rarity costs and limits:
- Common – 1 emerald, up to 8 purchases
- Uncommon – 16 emeralds, up to 4 purchases
- Rare – 32 emeralds, up to 2 purchases
- Epic – 64 emeralds, 1 purchase only
Setting a rarity’s price to zero removes that tier from the random pool entirely. This allows server admins and modpack creators to fine-tune the machine’s loot table to match their vision.
Powerful Configuration for Modpack Makers
The mod comes with an extensive configuration file (vm-server.toml or vm-common.toml) that gives you deep control over what appears inside the machines. You can include or exclude entire mods, specific creative tab groups, or individual items using tags. For instance, you might want to include all items from a technology mod but exclude its creative-only debug tools. The system handles include lists first, then exclude lists, so you can build precise filters.
For players who prefer a streamlined setup, this mod can be easily installed via the foxygame.net launcher — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu. It removes the hassle of manual file management and ensures compatibility with your chosen version.
Advanced users will appreciate the ability to set custom costs for specific items. You can define a trade like “elytra for 64 diamonds and 1 nether star, limited to 1 use” directly in the config. The mod also supports item data components (or NBT in older versions), so you can sell enchanted swords with custom names or damaged tools, adding another layer of depth for adventure maps.
Getting Started and Tips
Once installed, the default settings work out of the box for most players. Village vending machines appear automatically, and you can start buying items with emeralds right away. If you want to tweak anything, the in-game command /config showfile vm COMMON lets you open the config file directly from chat. Remember that some changes require a server restart or game restart to take effect.
For map designers, the fixed machine list is a powerful tool. You can define a set of items, launch the game, place machines, and then change the list for a different set of machines in the next session. Just make sure to open each machine after placing it to lock in the current items. The mod also includes a “minable” option that lets players collect the machine itself with a silk touch diamond pickaxe, turning it into a valuable block for relocation.
Why This Mod Stands Out
The Vending Machine mod strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and depth. It adds a daily dose of randomness that keeps survival worlds fresh without overwhelming players. At the same time, its configuration options rival those of much larger mods, making it a favorite among server owners and modpack developers. The ability to exclude entire mods, use item tags, and set custom trade formulas means you can tailor the experience to any theme—from vanilla-like survival to high-tech modded adventures.
Whether you are looking to add a small quality-of-life feature or build an elaborate trading economy, this mod delivers. Its seamless integration with village structures and the morning restock mechanic creates a natural rhythm that feels right at home in Minecraft. Give it a try, and you might find yourself planning your in-game mornings around a quick trip to the nearest vending machine.