Thrower Plugin for Minecraft: Unleash Projectiles with Commands
Minecraft’s command system has always been a playground for creativity, but sometimes you want more than just spawning blocks or teleporting. The Thrower plugin takes that desire and turns it into a reality, letting you hurl fireballs, wither skulls, arrows, and even experience bottles with a simple slash command. Whether you’re running a minigame server, want to prank your friends, or need a quick way to test projectile mechanics, this plugin delivers instant, satisfying results.
How the Thrower Plugin Works
At its core, Thrower is a lightweight Bukkit/Spigot plugin that adds a set of commands tied to specific permissions. Each command spawns a projectile exactly where you’re looking, mimicking the natural behavior of that entity. For example, typing /fireball sends a ghast fireball soaring in the direction you face, complete with explosive impact and particle effects. No need to summon a ghast or mess with complex command blocks — the plugin handles everything server-side with minimal lag.
The beauty lies in its simplicity. Once installed, players with the right permissions can instantly become walking arsenals. Server owners love it because it requires no configuration files; the default settings work out of the box, and the permission nodes are clearly defined. You can grant specific throwing abilities to different ranks, creating a tiered system where moderators can toss dragon fireballs while regular players only get snowballs.
Full List of Commands and Permissions
Every throwable in the plugin is tied to a command and a permission node. Below is the complete breakdown, with the default access level noted. OP means the command is restricted to operators unless you change permissions with a plugin like LuckPerms.
- /thrower — Shows the about menu (permission: thrower.about, default: everybody)
- /throwerlist — Displays a list of all throwable things (permission: thrower.list, default: everybody)
- /fireball — Throws a Ghast fireball (permission: thrower.throw.fireball, default: OP)
- /blazefireball — Throws a Blaze/small fireball (permission: thrower.throw.blazefireball, default: OP)
- /dragonfireball — Throws an Ender Dragon fireball (permission: thrower.throw.dragonfireball, default: OP)
- /witherskull — Throws a Wither skull (permission: thrower.throw.witherskull, default: OP)
- /arrow — Shoots an arrow (permission: thrower.throw.arrow, default: OP)
- /spectralarrow — Shoots a spectral arrow (permission: thrower.throw.spectralarrow, default: OP)
- /snowball — Throws a snowball (permission: thrower.throw.snowball, default: OP)
- /egg — Throws an egg (permission: thrower.throw.egg, default: OP)
- /enderpearl — Throws an enderpearl (permission: thrower.throw.enderpearl, default: OP)
- /splashpotion — Throws an empty splash potion (permission: thrower.throw.splashpotion, default: OP)
- /expbottle — Throws an experience bottle (permission: thrower.throw.expbottle, default: OP)
Additionally, the wildcard permission thrower.* grants access to all commands, which is handy for admins. The plugin also includes a special /eyeofender command (added in later versions) that launches an Eye of Ender, though it’s not listed in the original documentation but appears in the changelog. Keep in mind that some projectiles, like the dragon fireball, leave behind lingering damage clouds, so use them wisely in confined spaces.
While server admins love the simplicity of the Thrower plugin, players looking for similar throwing abilities in single-player can explore mods like the Throwable Fireballs mod. Installing such mods is straightforward with the foxygame.net launcher — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu. This launcher handles all the version compatibility and mod dependencies automatically, making it a perfect companion for anyone who wants to expand their Minecraft experience beyond vanilla mechanics.
Planned Features and Future Updates
The developer has outlined several exciting additions on the horizon. While the current version focuses on vanilla projectiles, future updates aim to introduce:
- Adjustable speed for all throwable items, letting you fine-tune how fast fireballs or snowballs travel.
- The ability to throw falling sand entities, with customizable block types — imagine launching anvils or TNT with a command.
- Customization options for the
/splashpotioncommand, so you can define potion effects instead of always throwing an empty bottle.
These enhancements will turn the plugin into an even more powerful tool for mapmakers and server event coordinators. The planned falling sand feature, in particular, opens up possibilities for traps, puzzles, and dynamic environmental hazards.
Changelog Highlights
The Thrower plugin has evolved steadily since its first beta release. Here’s a quick look at its journey:
- 0.1 BETA: Initial release with core fireball and projectile commands.
- 0.2 BETA: Added /enderpearl, /blazefireball, /splashpotion, and /expbottle.
- 0.3 BETA: Introduced throwable fireballs (later removed in 0.6).
- 0.4 BETA: Fixed a bug where commands would error when run from the server console.
- 0.5 BETA: Improved in-game text and help menus, updated to Minecraft 1.8.
- 0.6 BETA: Updated to 1.9, removed throwable fireballs, added /egg, /spectralarrow, /dragonfireball, and /eyeofender, plus fancier about and help menus.
The removal of throwable fireballs in version 0.6 was likely due to redundancy with the existing /fireball and /blazefireball commands, streamlining the plugin for better performance. The addition of the dragon fireball and spectral arrow brought it in line with newer Minecraft combat features.
Why Server Owners Should Consider Thrower
In a landscape crowded with complex minigame plugins, Thrower stands out for its no-fuss approach. It doesn’t bloat your server with unnecessary GUIs or config files. Instead, it gives you precise control over who can throw what, making it ideal for faction servers, creative plots, or even survival worlds where admins want to reward loyal players with special abilities. The permission nodes integrate seamlessly with any permissions manager, and the lightweight codebase means it won’t conflict with major plugins like WorldGuard or Essentials.
If you’re running a Minecraft server and want to inject some chaotic fun, grab the Thrower plugin from the Spigot resource page. Its straightforward command list and future-proof update plan make it a reliable choice for versions 1.8 through 1.9 and beyond. Just remember to test the dragon fireball in a safe area first — those lingering purple clouds can be deadly!