Emerald & Obsidian Mod: New Tools, Armor, and Weapons
For players who remember the original Emerald & Obsidian Mod by royalreafer, the wait is finally over. That classic add-on, which added exactly what its name promised, stalled at Minecraft 1.10 and faded into nostalgia. Now, with the original author's permission, a dedicated remake brings the full set of emerald and obsidian equipment to modern game versions. This article covers what the mod offers, how it fits into current gameplay, and how to install it for a stable experience.
What the Remake Adds
The content is straightforward and true to the original concept. You get two complete equipment tiers that slot neatly into vanilla progression without disrupting it. The roadmap is simple: emerald tools and armor, obsidian tools and armor, plus a full weapon set including a throwing option. There are no bloated systems or extra entities, just practical gear for survival and PvP. Every item has its own durability, textures, and special traits.
Balance and Version Adaptation
The most significant change in the remake is the reworked armor stats. In the original, emerald gear was close to diamond tier. After the 1.14 village overhaul, emeralds became far more common, so the remake places emerald armor between iron and diamond: tougher than iron but less protective than diamond. Obsidian armor, on the other hand, nearly matches netherite in some stats and surpasses it in others, notably offering increased fire resistance. This keeps vanilla resource gathering meaningful while providing interesting alternatives.
Armor Details and Quality-of-Life Tweaks
The developer focused on small but welcome improvements. Full emerald armor no longer triggers annoying potion particles, keeping the screen clear. The emerald helmet's protruding crest, which some players disliked, has been removed. Instead, a full emerald set grants a constant Luck effect, which pairs well with resource gathering. Obsidian armor provides no status effects, but its high durability and fire resistance make it a top choice for Nether exploration.
Weapons and Tools with Unique Mechanics
This is not a simple retexture pack. Each item has distinct behavior:
- Shurikens: Throwing weapons crafted in a cross pattern without a center. They have a 70% chance to return after being thrown, and the obsidian version has a 30% chance to ignite the target. Custom throw and hit sounds add to the feel.
- Multi-tool: A combination of pickaxe, axe, hoe, shovel, and shears in one item. Ideal for exploration when you do not want to carry five separate tools.
- Reinforced shovel: Breaks stone in addition to dirt and sand, effectively becoming a universal digging tool for underground work.
- Obsidian sword: Has a chance to set enemies on fire, making it dangerous in PvP and against fire-vulnerable mobs.
- Scimitar: Loses the old Wither effect but becomes a fast blade with higher attack speed and slightly lower damage than a standard sword.
Crafting and Compatibility
Most recipes remain faithful to the original mod. For a smoother experience, installing JEI is recommended, as it displays all crafting recipes directly in the inventory. The main recipe changes involve shurikens, the multi-tool, and special arrows. The latter are made by combining a regular arrow with an emerald or obsidian in the crafting grid. Note that on Minecraft 1.12.2, modded arrows will not work due to the lack of a tag system; this is an engine limitation, not a bug. Everything functions correctly on 1.14 and newer.
The remake supports Minecraft versions from 1.12.2 up to 1.16.5 and runs on the Forge loader. Textures are slightly updated but keep the recognizable style. The project is fully standalone, created with the original author's consent. The developer also runs a Discord server where you can find an SMP server and discuss future updates.
Installation Guide
To get started, follow these steps:
- Download Emerald & Obsidian Mod: New Tools, Armor, and Weapons from a trusted source.
- Install the correct Forge version for your Minecraft version (1.12.2 through 1.16.5).
- Place the downloaded mod file into the
modsfolder in your Minecraft directory. - Launch the game with the Forge profile and verify the mod appears in the mod list.
If you want to avoid manual setup, some launchers offer pre-configured modpacks that include this mod. This can save time and ensure all dependencies are correctly managed. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, the manual method above works reliably.
Final Verdict
Emerald & Obsidian Mod: New Tools, Armor, and Weapons for Minecraft is a textbook example of how to revive a classic. There is no inflated content, just honest gear with thoughtful balance. It fits cleanly into vanilla survival, does not break progression, and adds welcome variety once diamonds lose their excitement. Whether you miss the original emerald swords or want a viable alternative to netherite without grinding for ancient debris, this remake deserves a spot in your mod list. The installation process is simple, and the compatibility range covers several popular game versions, making it easy to recommend for both casual and dedicated players.
For the best experience, pair the mod with JEI to keep track of all new recipes. The balance changes ensure that both emerald and obsidian gear have clear roles, and the unique weapon mechanics add tactical depth. If you have been searching for a stable, well-maintained equipment mod, this is a solid choice.