Emerald & Obsidian Mod (Remake): Reviving a Classic Minecraft Mod
Remember the days when emerald and obsidian were the ultimate flex in Minecraft, but there was no real way to turn them into gear? The original Emerald & Obsidian Mod by royalreafer filled that gap perfectly, adding a full set of tools, weapons, and armor made from these two iconic materials. Unfortunately, that mod stopped receiving updates after version 1.10, leaving many players stuck in the past. This remake breathes new life into the concept, bringing the same nostalgic content to modern versions 1.12 through 1.16, with careful balance tweaks that make sense for today’s Minecraft.
What is the Emerald & Obsidian Mod (Remake)?
This mod is a direct port of royalreafer’s classic creation, rebuilt from the ground up to work with newer Minecraft versions. The core idea remains unchanged: you can now craft emerald and obsidian armor, tools, and weapons, giving those abundant resources a proper use beyond trading or building. The remake stays true to the original mod’s spirit while introducing small quality-of-life improvements and stat adjustments to match the game’s evolving mechanics. The developer obtained full permission from royalreafer, so this is an official continuation of the legacy.
Key Features of the Mod
Once installed, the mod expands your crafting options significantly. Here is what you can expect to find in your recipe book:
- Emerald and Obsidian Tools: Pickaxes, axes, shovels, hoes, and shears crafted from emeralds or obsidian.
- Full Armor Sets: Complete emerald and obsidian armor, each with unique bonuses.
- Weapons: Swords, scimitars, and slashers that offer different combat styles.
- Shurikens: Throwable projectiles with distinct sounds and effects, crafted in a cross pattern without a center piece.
- Multitool: A combined tool made by fusing a pickaxe, axe, hoe, shovel, and shears together.
- Special Arrows: Combine a regular arrow with emerald or obsidian to create enhanced ammunition.
Armor and Tool Durability
Durability values have been carefully balanced to fit between vanilla tiers. Most recipes mirror the original mod, but using JEI (Just Enough Items) is highly recommended for easier crafting. The emerald armor now sits between iron and diamond in protection, while obsidian armor falls just below netherite in some aspects but not others. This nerf reflects how emeralds have become much more common due to villager trading changes in newer versions, and it prevents obsidian from overshadowing netherite completely. The multitool and shurikens follow similar crafting rules: shurikens use the corresponding material in a cross shape, and the multitool requires all five basic tools in a crafting grid.
Quality of Life and Balancing Changes
Beyond simple ports, the remake includes thoughtful tweaks that improve the gameplay experience without straying from the original vision. Some of the most notable adjustments are:
- Potion particles no longer appear when wearing emerald or obsidian armor, keeping your screen clean.
- The emerald armor’s “hair” texture has been removed for a sleeker look.
- Shurikens have a 70% chance to drop as an item after hitting a target, and obsidian shurikens carry a 30% chance to set mobs on fire.
- Unique throwing and impact sounds make shurikens feel satisfying to use.
- Emerald armor now grants a permanent luck boost when worn, adding a subtle but valuable utility.
- The reinforced tool mining style has been refined to preserve that “powerful breaking” feeling while aligning with modern block hardness.
- Obsidian swords can ignite entities on fire, and the scimitar has been reworked into a nimble blade without the old wither effect, contrasting with the heavier slasher.
- Several armor and tool textures have been updated for a fresher appearance.
- Reinforced shovels can now break stone blocks, making them incredibly versatile for terraforming.
Version Support and Known Limitations
The mod officially supports Minecraft versions 1.12.2, 1.14.4, 1.15.2, and 1.16.5. One important thing to note: in the 1.12.2 version, the special modded arrows will not function because the tag system required for custom projectiles was not introduced until later updates. This is not a bug but a version limitation, and it does not affect the other features. For the best experience, playing on 1.16.5 is recommended to enjoy all additions, including the balanced netherite comparison.
How to Install the Mod
To get started, you will need a Forge-compatible Minecraft installation for your chosen version. Download the mod file from CurseForge and place it into your mods folder. If you prefer a more streamlined approach, you can easily install this mod via the foxygame.net launcher, a modern and flexible Minecraft launcher where you can browse and download mods directly from its menu. That way, you skip the manual file management and jump straight into crafting your new emerald and obsidian gear. Just remember to also install any required dependencies listed on the mod page.
Conclusion
The Emerald & Obsidian Mod (Remake) successfully revives a beloved classic, letting you finally put those stacks of emeralds and obsidian to practical use. With balanced armor tiers, fun throwable shurikens, and a handy multitool, it adds meaningful progression without breaking vanilla immersion. The quality-of-life improvements show a deep respect for the original while adapting to the modern Minecraft landscape. Whether you are a veteran who remembers the old days or a new player curious about community-made content, this mod is a solid addition to any modpack. You can also join the community Discord server to share feedback or hop onto their SMP. The original creator’s blessing makes this project all the more special, ensuring that the nostalgic spirit of the Emerald & Obsidian Mod lives on.