Soft Deepslate
Mining Deepslate in Minecraft can feel like a punishment. Whether you are stripping out a massive underground base, hunting for diamonds, or clearing a path through the deepslate layer, that slow, grinding break speed adds hours to every project. Soft Deepslate is a lightweight add-on that fixes this problem by applying a configurable mining-speed multiplier to Deepslate and its related blocks. By default, it doubles your mining speed, bringing regular Deepslate roughly in line with Stone. The result is a smoother, faster mining experience that respects your time without breaking the game's balance.
What Soft Deepslate Does
At its core, Soft Deepslate is a simple quality-of-life mod. It targets Deepslate and a curated list of related blocks, then multiplies the speed at which you break them. With the default multiplier of 2.0, Deepslate no longer feels like a chore to dig through. The mod is smart about what it affects, too. It uses block IDs and block tags to determine which blocks receive the speed boost, so you can fine-tune the behavior to match your playstyle or your modpack's needs.
The default configuration covers a broad range of Deepslate variants, including ore-bearing ground, cobblestone variants, ores embedded in Deepslate, and building blocks. This means you get consistent speed improvements across the entire Deepslate family, not just the base block.
Configuration and Customization
Soft Deepslate is built for players who like control. The configuration file, located at config/softdeepslate-server.toml, gives you two main settings to work with.
- miningSpeedMultiplier — The multiplier applied to configured blocks. The default is 2.0, but you can raise or lower it to suit your preferences.
- blocks — A list of block IDs and block tags that determines which blocks receive the multiplier.
The block list supports a flexible syntax. You can add individual blocks like minecraft:deepslate, add entire tags with a # prefix, exclude blocks with a ! prefix, and force-add blocks with a !! prefix that overrides exclusions. The priority order is straightforward: force-add beats exclude, and exclude beats normal addition. Changes take effect whenever the config or block tags reload, so you can tweak things on the fly without restarting your world.
Supported Versions and Loaders
Soft Deepslate supports a wide range of Minecraft versions, making it accessible to players on both modern and legacy setups. The current builds target Minecraft 1.21 and related releases across the Fabric and NeoForge loaders, so whether you are running a lightweight Fabric instance or a NeoForge modpack, you are covered.
There is also a dedicated version for Minecraft 1.7.10. This legacy build uses a different config file, config/softdeepslate.cfg, and supports only the miningSpeedMultiplier setting. It automatically detects Deepslate blocks from Et Futurum Requiem and Deepslate ores registered in the Ore Dictionary, so older modpacks still get the benefit without manual setup.
If you want a frictionless way to get started, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Soft Deepslate, handling loader selection and version matching automatically so you can jump straight into mining.
How to Install Soft Deepslate
Installing Soft Deepslate is straightforward. First, make sure you have the correct mod loader installed for your Minecraft version, either Fabric or NeoForge. Next, download Soft Deepslate from your preferred source and place the mod file into your mods folder. Launch the game, and the mod will generate its configuration file on first run.
Once in-game, you can open the config file to adjust the multiplier or customize the block list. If you are using a modpack, check whether Soft Deepslate is already included before adding it manually, as duplicate entries can cause conflicts.
Why Use Soft Deepslate
Deepslate is one of the most common blocks in the underground layers of modern Minecraft, and its slow break speed is a constant source of frustration. Soft Deepslate removes that friction without turning the game into creative mode. The configurable nature of the mod means you can keep the boost subtle or crank it up for a more relaxed experience. For builders, miners, and modpack creators alike, it is a small addition that delivers a big improvement to everyday gameplay.
If you are tired of watching your pickaxe crawl through Deepslate, download Soft Deepslate and give your mining sessions the speed they deserve.