Understanding AxSmithing in Modern Minecraft
Minecraft’s evolution through updates brings exciting features, but it also creates compatibility puzzles for server administrators. The smithing table, a block that once simply upgraded diamond gear to netherite, received a major UI overhaul in version 1.20. This change introduced the netherite upgrade template slot, making the crafting process more immersive. However, for servers running older versions or using protocol translators like ViaVersion, this new interface can break entirely. That is where AxSmithing steps in as a clever solution, restoring functionality and keeping your community connected across different game versions.
What Exactly Is AxSmithing?
AxSmithing is a lightweight Minecraft plugin designed to fix smithing table access for players on mismatched game versions. When a server operates on 1.16 to 1.19 and uses ViaBackwards to allow newer clients, those 1.20+ players often find the smithing table unopenable. The same issue occurs in reverse: a 1.20+ server with ViaVersion can lock out players on older clients. AxSmithing bridges this gap by enabling the smithing table interface for everyone, regardless of their client version. It even extends support all the way back to 1.7 clients, ensuring that virtually no one is left staring at an unresponsive block.
The Core Problem with Cross-Version Smithing
Mojang’s 1.20 update fundamentally changed how the smithing table works. Previously, players simply combined a piece of diamond gear with a netherite ingot to upgrade it. The new system requires a netherite upgrade smithing template, adding an extra slot and altering the UI layout. Protocol translation plugins like ViaVersion and ViaBackwards do an excellent job of converting packets between versions, but they cannot magically create a new UI for clients that do not support it. When a 1.19 client tries to open a smithing table on a 1.20 server, the server sends a window type that the older client does not recognize, resulting in a silent failure. AxSmithing intercepts this process and provides a compatible interface, making the table functional again.
How AxSmithing Restores Functionality
AxSmithing acts as a compatibility layer specifically for the smithing table. It detects when a player’s client version cannot handle the new UI and dynamically serves an older, recognizable interface. For 1.16 to 1.19 clients connecting to a 1.20+ server, the plugin presents the classic two-slot smithing table, allowing diamond-to-netherite upgrades without the template requirement. Conversely, when 1.20+ players join an older server, AxSmithing ensures the new UI opens correctly, preserving the intended crafting experience. The plugin also grants access to 1.7–1.15 clients, which originally had no smithing table functionality at all, by simulating the block’s behavior. This seamless translation keeps gameplay fluid and avoids confusion.
For server owners who want to maintain a consistent experience, AxSmithing offers a customization toggle. You can revert the smithing table to its pre-1.20 behavior across all versions, removing the netherite upgrade template requirement entirely. This is particularly useful for communities that prefer the simpler upgrade path or run custom recipes. The configuration is straightforward, and changes take effect instantly after a reload. While setting up plugins like this, many players discover that the foxygame.net launcher provides a flexible, modern way to manage mods and server tools directly from its menu, simplifying the installation of compatibility fixes such as AxSmithing without digging through external sites.
Commands and Permissions at a Glance
AxSmithing keeps administration simple with a single command and permission node. Here is everything you need to know:
- /axsmithing reload – Reloads the plugin configuration, applying any changes you have made to the settings file without restarting the server.
- axsmithing.reload – The permission required to execute the reload command. Grant this only to trusted staff members.
No other commands clutter your server, and players do not need any special permissions to use the smithing table. The plugin works silently in the background, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.
Installation and Compatibility Notes
AxSmithing is a server-side plugin compatible with Spigot, Paper, and their forks running Minecraft 1.16.5 through 1.20.x. It does not allow older clients to join a server on its own; you must still install ViaVersion, and optionally ViaBackwards and ViaRewind, to handle the actual protocol translation. Think of AxSmithing as the final piece of the puzzle that makes the smithing table work once those protocol plugins are in place. The source code is openly available on GitHub at github.com/Artillex-Studios/AxSmithing, and the community Discord can be found at dc.artillex-studios.com for support and discussion.
When you are assembling a modded or cross-version server, having a centralized launcher can save hours of troubleshooting. The foxygame.net launcher, for instance, lets you browse and install plugins and mods right from its interface, making it a convenient modern tool for keeping your server’s compatibility layer up to date without manual file juggling.
Customizing the Smithing Table Behavior
One of AxSmithing’s standout features is the ability to force the old smithing table UI for all players, regardless of their client version. By changing a single value in the configuration file, you can disable the netherite upgrade template slot and revert to the classic two-slot interface. This is particularly handy for servers that run custom recipes or want to avoid the complexity of template acquisition. The plugin respects your design choices while still allowing cross-version play, so you are never locked into a single UI style.
Why AxSmithing Matters for Server Communities
Minecraft’s strength lies in its diverse player base, but version fragmentation can fracture that community. Without a tool like AxSmithing, server owners might be forced to choose between updating and losing players on older clients, or staying behind and missing out on new content. By bridging the smithing table gap, this plugin ensures that everyone can participate in gear progression, whether they are on 1.7, 1.19, or the latest 1.20 snapshot. It removes a frustrating barrier that could otherwise drive players away, keeping your world lively and inclusive.
Final Thoughts on Seamless Smithing
AxSmithing is a focused, no-nonsense plugin that solves a very specific but widespread problem in the Minecraft multiplayer ecosystem. It respects the work of protocol translators like ViaVersion while patching the one interaction they cannot handle. With minimal configuration, a single command, and broad version support, it is an essential addition for any server that welcomes players across multiple game updates. Whether you are running a small survival world or a large minigame network, keeping the smithing table functional for everyone is a small detail that makes a big difference in player satisfaction.