Short Swords+
If you have ever felt that the default swords in Minecraft take up a little too much screen real estate, you are not alone. The vanilla blade models are iconic, but their length can sometimes block your view during intense combat or while simply exploring. That is where Short Swords+ comes in. This clever texture pack trims down every sword in the game while preserving the original pixel-art style you love. The result is a cleaner, less obstructive interface that gives you a competitive edge in PvP and a more comfortable experience in survival mode.
What Makes Short Swords+ Stand Out?
Unlike many weapon retextures that completely overhaul the look of your gear, Short Swords+ stays faithful to Minecraft’s vanilla aesthetic. Every sword—from wooden to netherite—retains its original color palette, shape language, and pixel density. The only difference is the blade length. By shortening the model, the pack frees up a significant portion of the lower screen, letting you spot approaching mobs, read terrain, and track opponents without a giant sword blocking your crosshair. It is a subtle change that makes a huge difference in fast-paced situations.
Designed for PvP and Beyond
Competitive players know that every frame and every pixel matters. With Short Swords+ for Minecraft, you gain a clearer field of view during duels, bed wars, and skywars. The reduced weapon size means you can see more of the environment, react faster to enemy movements, and land critical hits with greater precision. But the benefits are not limited to PvP. Casual players will appreciate the cleaner screen when mining, building, or simply admiring the landscape. It is a quality-of-life upgrade that feels natural from the first swing.
Key Features of Short Swords+
- Shortens all vanilla swords: wooden, stone, iron, golden, diamond, and netherite.
- Maintains the original vanilla textures and color schemes—no drastic redesigns.
- Improves screen visibility by reducing the weapon’s footprint in first-person view.
- Works seamlessly with default resource pack settings and most shaders.
- Lightweight and performance-friendly; no impact on FPS.
How to Install Short Swords+
Getting started with Short Swords+ is straightforward, even if you have never installed a resource pack before. The pack is compatible with all modern Minecraft versions that support custom resources, including releases from 1.16 up to the latest 1.20 updates. For the best experience, many players pair it with OptiFine, which allows for additional customization like connected textures and dynamic lighting, though OptiFine is not required. If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you can skip the manual steps entirely—just open the built-in add-on catalog, search for Short Swords+, and click to install. The launcher automatically matches the pack to your game version, so you never have to worry about compatibility issues or outdated files.
Manual Installation Steps
If you prefer to install the pack manually, follow these simple instructions:
- Download Short Swords+ from a trusted source. The file will be a .zip archive.
- Open Minecraft and navigate to Options > Resource Packs.
- Click Open Pack Folder to reveal the resourcepacks directory.
- Drag the downloaded .zip file into this folder. Do not unzip it.
- Back in Minecraft, you will see Short Swords+ in the available packs list. Click the arrow to move it to the active side.
- Click Done and enjoy your shortened swords.
If you are using OptiFine, the process is identical. The pack will work immediately, and you can even combine it with other texture packs that do not modify sword models.
Compatibility and Supported Versions
Short Swords+ is built to be universally compatible. It works on any Minecraft version that uses the standard resource pack format, from 1.8 all the way to the latest snapshots. The pack has been tested extensively on 1.16.5, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, and 1.20.1, ensuring smooth performance across both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition (when converted). For players who enjoy modded environments, the pack also functions correctly with Fabric and Forge loaders, as long as no other mod overrides the sword models. If you ever encounter a conflict, simply place Short Swords+ at the top of your resource pack list to give it priority.
Why Choose Short Swords+ Over Other Weapon Packs?
The Minecraft community offers countless texture packs that change weapon appearances, but many of them stray too far from the vanilla feel. Short Swords+ strikes the perfect balance: it is instantly recognizable yet functionally superior. You will not have to relearn what each sword looks like, and the pack blends effortlessly with your existing world. Additionally, because it only modifies the sword models, it is incredibly lightweight. You can run it on low-end systems without any performance hit, making it an ideal choice for players who want a visual upgrade without sacrificing frames.
Perfect for Content Creators
Streamers and YouTubers will find Short Swords+ especially useful. A cleaner screen means your audience can see more of the action, and the subtle change often sparks positive comments from viewers who notice the improved visibility. The pack’s vanilla-friendly design also ensures that your content remains accessible to a broad audience, without alienating purists who dislike drastic texture changes.
Final Thoughts
Short Swords+ is one of those rare add-ons that you wonder how you ever played without. It respects the original game’s art direction while solving a practical problem that affects every player. Whether you are a hardcore PvPer, a casual builder, or someone who just wants a tidier inventory bar, this pack delivers. The installation is painless, the compatibility is vast, and the visual payoff is immediate. If you are ready to see more of your Minecraft world and less of your sword, download Short Swords+ today and experience the difference for yourself.