ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft
There comes a moment in every Minecraft survival world when the familiar purple-black block of obsidian stops feeling special. You have your nether portal, your enchanting table, and maybe a few decorative pillars, but the material itself has run out of surprises. ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft is the remedy for that exact feeling. This compact, visually polished mod takes the game's sturdiest material and splits it into a whole family of distinct blocks, ingots, and tool sets, giving builders and adventurers a fresh reason to revisit their mining routes.
Developed by French programmer 4Spartan8 with visual contributions from designers Wazha Doh and Arzène, the mod stays true to the vanilla aesthetic while adding meaningful variety. It is built for Minecraft 1.7.10 and runs on the Forge loader, with no additional libraries or complex dependencies. The latest release, version 1.2.0, refines the experience further, making it a stable and reliable addition to any modded setup of that era.
Six New Shades of Obsidian
The core promise of the mod is simple: instead of one block, you get six. Each new obsidian type has its own texture, color palette, and crafting identity. They are not mere re-skins either. Every variant requires a specific combination of base obsidian and another resource, which adds a layer of resource management and exploration to the game. Here is the full lineup:
- Obsidian Mistos — a redstone-infused variant with a dark, energetic look.
- Obsidian Maculis — crafted with Nether quartz, offering a pale, crystalline tone.
- Obsidian Raker — a diamond-enhanced type with a sharp, brilliant edge.
- Obsidian Tycus — an emerald-based version with a subtle green glow.
- Obsidian Valme — a fiery mix using blaze powder, radiating warmth.
- Obsidian Lazulite — a lapis lazuli combination with a deep blue sheen.
Each type comes with its own block, ingot, and a complete set of tools. The crafting recipes are straightforward but clever: place standard obsidian with the required ingredient in a crafting table to get the new block, then smelt that block in a furnace to produce ingots. From there, you assemble swords, pickaxes, axes, shovels, and hoes using the classic patterns. This system rewards players who diversify their resource gathering, as hunting for emeralds, quartz, or blaze powder becomes part of the process.
Tools That Feel Different
Beyond the visual appeal, the practical value of ObsidianPlus lies in its equipment. Each of the six tool sets offers durability comparable to diamond gear, but with a slightly faster mining speed. That small edge makes them a desirable alternative in survival, especially for players who enjoy optimizing their resource collection. The tools also look the part: dark obsidian bases are accented with colored inlays that match their respective type. A Lazulite sword shimmers with blue depth, while a Tycus pickaxe carries a greenish gleam, making your hotbar noticeably more stylish.
Crafting Depth and New Recipes
The mod's recipe design encourages a fresh look at familiar materials. For example, Obsidian Lazulite requires a block of lapis lazuli combined with obsidian, while Obsidian Valme asks for blaze powder. Obsidian Mistos uses redstone, Obsidian Tycus uses an emerald, Obsidian Maculis relies on Nether quartz, and Obsidian Raker demands a diamond. These combinations mean that even veteran players may find themselves planning new expeditions to gather the necessary components. The resulting blocks are not just functional; they are excellent building materials for dark fortresses, modern bases, or any structure that benefits from rich, saturated colors against a dark foundation.
Compatibility and Installation
ObsidianPlus is designed for Minecraft 1.7.10 and is available in versions 1.0.0, 1.1.0, and the current 1.2.0. It requires only the Forge mod loader, with no other dependencies, which keeps it lightweight and compatible with most modpacks of that version. To get started, you can download ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft from the mod's official page, then place the downloaded archive into the mods folder of your Minecraft directory. The process is quick and does not require any additional setup.
For those who prefer a more automated approach, some third-party launchers can handle the installation for you. They can automatically select a compatible Forge version and add ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft for Minecraft to your client, removing the manual file management step. This is particularly handy if you want to jump straight into crafting without worrying about folder structures.
Why This Mod Deserves a Spot in Your World
ObsidianPlus does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, and that is precisely its strength. It takes a well-known material and gives it six new personalities, each with its own crafting path and visual identity. The tools are genuinely useful, the blocks are decorative, and the recipes add a welcome layer of depth to resource gathering. Builders will appreciate the dark textures with vibrant accents, while survival players will enjoy the slight performance boost over diamond tools.
The mod's simplicity is also a major advantage. With no complex dependencies and a straightforward installation process, it is an ideal candidate for any modpack on Minecraft 1.7.10. It integrates cleanly with vanilla gameplay and does not introduce balance-breaking mechanics. The team behind it, though small, has delivered a polished and intuitive experience that respects the source material.
In the end, ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft is a small but delightful addition that brings fresh energy to a block many players have long taken for granted. Whether you are constructing a brooding castle, outfitting yourself for a long expedition, or simply looking for a new crafting project, this mod offers something worthwhile. Craft your first Lazulite sword, and you might find that plain diamond gear no longer feels quite as appealing.
For players eager to try it, the process is simple: download ObsidianPlus: 6 New Obsidian Types and Tools for Minecraft, follow the standard installation steps, and let the new obsidian family transform your next building session. The mod proves that even the most familiar materials can still surprise you.