Simply Blacksmithing & Mining
Minecraft has always been about progression, but for players who crave a more demanding and rewarding endgame, the vanilla netherite path can feel a little too straightforward. Enter Simply Blacksmithing & Mining, a mod that introduces a dedicated forging system and a brand-new tier of ores designed specifically for hardcore modpacks and veteran players. This isn't just another ore add-on; it is a complete blacksmithing overhaul that forces you to think strategically about every ingot you melt and every template you craft.
A New Forge: The Special-Smith
The heart of this experience is the Special-Smith, a unique workstation that cannot be used for standard crafting. This forge is exclusively reserved for creating tools and armor from the five new minerals introduced by the mod. You won't find this block in your regular crafting menu; instead, you must build it and place it in your base to begin your journey toward superior equipment.
How to Use the Special-Smith
Using the forge is intuitive but requires preparation. The process is simple: you place an ingot of the specific material you want to work with into the forge's input slot, followed by the tool or armor template you wish to use. Once both items are in place, you simply press the "smith" button. The forge will consume the resources and output your newly crafted, high-tier item. It is a clean, satisfying loop that makes every creation feel deliberate.
Crafting Templates
Before you can forge anything, you need the correct templates. To craft a template, you must combine a log of any kind with the tool or armor piece you want to create. However, there is a catch: the tool or armor used in the template recipe must be made of iron. This ensures that you have already progressed through the early and mid-game before you can even think about utilizing the Special-Smith. It is a clever gating mechanic that respects the vanilla progression curve.
The Five Ores and Their Progression
The mod introduces a strict, linear progression path that starts after you obtain a diamond pickaxe. You cannot simply mine the highest tier ore immediately; you must work your way up through the ranks. The order is as follows:
- Bluesteel (blue ore) - Your first step into the mod's content.
- Greensteel - The second tier, which introduces a new challenge.
- Carmesteel - A mid-tier material with increased durability.
- Amatasteel - For those who have mastered the previous tiers.
- Witesteel - The ultimate endgame material.
Fragments and Difficulty
Once you start working with Greensteel and the tiers above it, you will notice a significant shift in difficulty. When you smelt these ores in a standard furnace, you will not receive a full ingot. Instead, you will get fragments. This makes farming these materials considerably more time-consuming and resource-intensive, adding a layer of grind that hardcore players will appreciate. The crafting recipes for Greensteel, Carmesteel, and Amatasteel remain consistent, but the last material, Witesteel, has a unique recipe that stands apart from the others, rewarding those who have fully committed to the mod's systems.
Compatibility and Installation
This mod was created using MCreator and is designed specifically for Minecraft 1.12.2. It is built to function as a "netherite style" blacksmithing table for older versions, making it a perfect fit for modpacks that focus on exploration and survival without the modern updates. The mod is compatible with the Forge loader, which remains the standard for this version of the game.
To get started, you will need to download Simply Blacksmithing & Mining from a trusted source and place the file into your "mods" folder. If you are looking for a streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install feature that automatically handles the setup for Simply Blacksmithing & Mining, ensuring you spend less time fiddling with files and more time mining. The launcher also maintains version compatibility, so you won't have to worry about crashes when updating your modpack.
Why You Should Try It
Simply Blacksmithing & Mining for Minecraft is not just about adding new blocks; it is about reinventing the satisfaction of progression. The requirement to use iron tools for templates and the fragment-based smelting system create a meaningful economic loop. It forces you to balance your resource allocation, deciding whether to spend your precious ores on a new pickaxe or save them for a full set of armor. For those playing on hard difficulty or in combat-focused modpacks, the edge provided by Witesteel gear is invaluable.
If you are wondering how to install the mod, the process is straightforward. After downloading the file, ensure you are running Forge for 1.12.2, then drag and drop the mod jar into your mods directory. For those using the foxygame.net launcher, the add-on catalog allows you to browse and install Simply Blacksmithing & Mining directly, with auto-updates keeping your version fresh without manual intervention. This makes it an excellent choice for server owners who want to distribute the mod to their community without technical support headaches.
Ultimately, this mod delivers exactly what it promises: a simple, focused blacksmithing expansion that respects the core Minecraft loop while adding a layer of depth that is often missing from late-game content. Whether you are a solo player looking for a new challenge or a modpack author searching for a reliable progression gate, this add-on deserves a spot in your load order.
Gather your iron, stockpile your logs, and prepare to master the Special-Smith. The path to Witesteel is long, but the reward is gear that will make you the envy of any server.