Vanilla Hammers [Forge]
Mining in Minecraft can be a slow, methodical process—one block at a time, swinging your pickaxe until your finger cramps. But what if you could clear a 3x3 area in a single swing? That is exactly what Vanilla Hammers [Forge] brings to the table. This add-on introduces a collection of powerful hammers that function like supercharged pickaxes, letting you tear through stone, ores, and other materials with satisfying efficiency. Originally created by Draylar for Fabric, this Forge port preserves all the original textures and mechanics while making the hammers available to the massive Forge modding community.
What Exactly Does Vanilla Hammers [Forge] Do?
At its core, the mod adds a new tool type: the hammer. Each hammer acts like a pickaxe but with a 3x3 mining radius. When you break a block, all adjacent blocks of the same type within that 3x3 grid are also mined—provided they are harvestable with the hammer’s material tier. This means you can quickly clear out large areas of stone, netherrack, or even ore veins without wasting durability on each individual block. The hammer uses the same amount of durability as if you had mined all nine blocks separately, so there is no unfair advantage—just a massive time-saver.
Supported Minecraft Versions and Loader
Vanilla Hammers [Forge] is built for the Forge mod loader and supports Minecraft versions from 1.14 up to 1.18.2. For version 1.17 and above, the mod requires MoreVanillaLib and LibX as dependencies to handle configuration and shared library functions. If you are playing on Minecraft 1.19 or newer, the standalone Vanilla Hammers has been merged with Vanilla Excavators into a combined mod called Simply Tools, which offers an even broader set of excavation tools. So for the classic hammer experience on Forge, stick with versions 1.14–1.18.2.
Every Hammer Material You Can Craft
One of the best parts of this add-on is the sheer variety. There is a hammer for nearly every material you can imagine, each with its own durability, mining speed, and enchantability. Here is the full list of hammers you can craft and use:
- Wood
- Stone
- Iron
- Gold
- Diamond
- Bone
- Coal
- Emerald
- Ender
- Fiery
- Glowstone
- Lapis
- Nether
- Obsidian
- Paper
- Prismarine
- Quartz
- Redstone
- Slime
Each hammer follows the same crafting pattern as a standard pickaxe but uses the respective material for the head and a stick for the handle. The more exotic hammers, like Ender or Fiery, often require materials from other mods or special resources, adding a layer of progression and discovery.
How to Install Vanilla Hammers [Forge]
Getting started is straightforward. First, ensure you have the correct version of Minecraft Forge installed for your game version (1.14 through 1.18.2). Then, download the Vanilla Hammers [Forge] mod file from a trusted source. If you are playing on 1.17 or 1.18, you will also need to download MoreVanillaLib and LibX and place them in your mods folder. Once all files are in the mods folder, launch Minecraft with the Forge profile, and the hammers will be ready to craft. For players who prefer a hassle-free setup, the foxygame.net launcher includes Vanilla Hammers [Forge] in its curated add-on catalog, allowing you to install it with a single click while automatically resolving version compatibility and dependencies. This makes it incredibly easy to jump straight into 3x3 mining without manually hunting down files.
Gameplay Tips and Synergies
Using a hammer changes how you approach mining. Instead of branch mining at head height, you can carve out massive rooms or quickly expose ore clusters. The hammer’s 3x3 effect also works on ores, so if you find a diamond vein, one swing can collect all adjacent diamond blocks—just be careful not to accidentally mine the stone around them if you want to use Fortune later. Enchantments like Efficiency, Unbreaking, and Fortune apply normally, making the diamond or netherite-tier hammers incredibly potent. For early game, a stone hammer is a cheap way to clear out large areas for underground bases.
Why Choose the Forge Version?
While the original Fabric mod by Draylar is excellent, this Forge port opens the door to compatibility with hundreds of other Forge mods. You can pair Vanilla Hammers [Forge] with tech mods, magic mods, or biome mods without worrying about loader conflicts. The port maintains the same textures and behavior, so you get the authentic hammer experience on your preferred modding platform. Plus, the addition of MoreVanillaLib and LibX for newer versions ensures smooth configuration and integration.
Final Thoughts on Vanilla Hammers [Forge] for Minecraft
If you have ever wished mining was less tedious, Vanilla Hammers [Forge] is the perfect solution. It stays true to vanilla balance while giving you a tool that feels powerful and rewarding. The wide range of materials means there is always a new hammer to work toward, and the 3x3 mining mechanic never gets old. Whether you are a builder clearing space for a megastructure or a miner hunting for resources, this add-on will save you hours of clicking. So grab your favorite hammer, head underground, and experience the joy of smashing through stone like butter. Just remember to watch your step—those 3x3 holes can be deep!