BetterEnd

Overview

BetterEnd is a massive overhaul of the End dimension that adds over 24 biomes, each with unique terrain, vegetation, ambient sounds, and custom music. The mod introduces three new metal tiers (Thallasium, Terminite, and Aeternium), an Infusion Ritual system for crafting enchanted books and special gear, a Respawn Obelisk for setting your spawn point in the End, and six new mobs that inhabit its various biomes. The sky itself is transformed with purple nebulas and stars, making the End feel like a genuinely alien world worth exploring.

You can browse the full list of all 353 items and blocks this mod adds using the Items tab above, and check the Recipes tab for every crafting recipe. This guide focuses on understanding how everything connects and the best path through the mod's progression.

Biomes

BetterEnd adds over 19 distinct biomes to the End, each with unique vegetation, terrain features, ambient sounds, and custom music. Several biomes also have sub-biomes that generate as pockets within their parent biome.

Forested Biomes

The Foggy Mushroomland is dominated by towering Mossy Glowshrooms that light the landscape with bioluminescence. This biome is one of the most resource-rich early on, with abundant vegetation and harvestable mushroom caps. The Chorus Forest reimagines vanilla's Chorus Plants into a dense forest setting with new plant life growing alongside them. Shadow Forest is darker and more dangerous, home to the hostile Shadow Walker mob. Lantern Woods features glowing flora that creates a warm, lantern-lit atmosphere.

Aquatic and Lakeside Biomes

Megalake is a vast water biome (using a special End water) filled with End Lily plants and End Fish. Its sub-biome, Megalake Grove, features Lacugrove trees growing from the water's edge. Sulphur Springs contains bubbling hot springs with Sulphur deposits and unique geothermal terrain. The Neon Oasis is a vibrant sub-biome with Neon Cactus and glowing pools.

Mountain and Desert Biomes

Crystal Mountains are towering peaks covered in Aurora Crystals, making them an excellent source of Crystal Shards. Painted Mountains, a sub-biome of Dust Wastelands, feature colorful layered stone formations. Dust Wastelands themselves are sparse, sandy expanses with minimal vegetation. Dry Shrubland offers scrubby vegetation in an arid setting.

Unique Biomes

Amber Land is rich in Amber Ore deposits and amber-toned vegetation. Blossoming Spires features tall, flowering columns of vegetation reaching toward the sky. Umbrella Jungle is a dense biome filled with Umbrella Trees and lush undergrowth. Glowing Grasslands is an open biome lit by bioluminescent grasses. Dragon Graveyards contains Dragon Bone Blocks, a decorative material crafted from Bone Blocks and Dragon's Breath. Umbra Valley is a dark, atmospheric biome, and Ice Starfield features frozen Emerald Ice formations.

Cave Biomes

The inside of larger End islands can contain cave biomes. Aurora Caves (both empty and lush variants) are lit by natural crystal formations. Smaragdant Caves contain Smaragdant Crystal Shards and their budding variants, similar to Amethyst Geodes but in emerald green. Jade Caves round out the underground options with their own unique atmosphere.

Wood Types and Building Materials

BetterEnd adds 9 unique wood types, each with a full set of wooden products (planks, slabs, stairs, fences, doors, trapdoors, signs, ladders, chests, barrels, bookshelves, and crafting tables). These trees grow in specific biomes and give builders a wide palette of colors and textures to work with.

The wood types are Mossy Glowshroom (bioluminescent fungal wood from Foggy Mushroomland), Pythadendron (branching purple-toned wood), End Lotus (aquatic stems that can be combined 2x2 into logs), Lacugrove (waterside trees from Megalake Grove), Dragon Tree (dark, imposing wood), Tenanea (flowering vine-draped wood), Helix Tree (spiraling trunks with colorful leaves), Umbrella Tree (broad canopy trees from Umbrella Jungle), and Jellyshroom (translucent mushroom caps, with the purple caps smeltable into Slime Balls). Lucernia wood comes from the Lantern Woods biome.

Beyond wood, the mod adds 7 new stone types for building. Flavolite is a general-purpose End stone that can be polished and runed (via Infusion). Violecite is a purple stone used in crafting Missing Tiles, a decorative checkerboard pattern block. Other stone variants provide additional decorative options for End-themed builds.

Metal Progression: Thallasium to Aeternium

BetterEnd introduces a three-tier metal progression system that takes you from early End exploration through to endgame gear. Each tier requires the previous one, creating a satisfying upgrade path.

Thallasium (Tier 1)

Thallasium is your entry-level End metal, mined directly from Thallasium Ore found in End Stone. It sits between Iron and Diamond in power: 320 durability, 7.0 mining speed, and 1.5 base attack damage on tools. Thallasium armor provides 12 total protection points (1/4/5/2 across helmet, chestplate, leggings, and boots) with 12 enchantability but no toughness or knockback resistance. Think of it as a stepping stone, better than Iron but not as good as Diamond.

Terminite (Tier 2)

Terminite is an alloy created in the End Stone Smelter by combining an Iron Ingot (or Thallasium Ingot) with Ender Dust. It cannot be mined directly. Terminite tools have 1230 durability, 8.5 mining speed, and 3.0 base attack damage. Terminite armor provides 19 total protection points (3/6/7/3), 1.0 toughness, and 0.05 knockback resistance with 14 enchantability. This puts it roughly on par with Diamond tools but with higher enchantability.

Aeternium (Tier 3)

Aeternium is the ultimate material, created by alloying a Terminite Ingot with a Netherite Scrap in the End Stone Smelter (850 ticks smelt time). Aeternium tools boast 2196 durability, 10.0 mining speed, and 4.5 base attack damage at mining level 5. The crafting process for Aeternium tools is unique: you must first forge tool heads on an Anvil (requiring an Aeternium-level Anvil and tool level), then combine the head with a Leather Wrapped Stick on a Smithing Table. Aeternium armor provides 24 total protection points (4/7/9/4), 3.5 toughness, and 0.2 knockback resistance. This exceeds Netherite in every stat.

Crystalite Armor

Crystalite is a special armor set created through the Infusion Ritual, not through standard crafting. Each piece starts with Terminite armor as the base and is infused with Amber Gems and Crystal Shards. Crystalite armor has 20 total protection points (3/6/8/3), 1.2 toughness, 0.1 knockback resistance, and the highest enchantability in the mod at 24. While its raw protection is slightly lower than Aeternium, the exceptional enchantability makes it ideal for players who want maximum enchantment power.

BetterEnd also adds a Crystalite Elytra, created by infusing a regular Elytra with Amber Gems, Crystal Shards, and Enchanted Membranes. This gives you an armored Elytra alternative. Additionally, an Armored Elytra can be created on the Smithing Table by combining a regular Elytra with an Aeternium Ingot, providing Aeternium-level protection while flying.

The Infusion Ritual

The Infusion Ritual is BetterEnd's custom crafting system that lets you create enchanted books, special armor, and unique items. The setup requires an Infusion Pedestal in the center surrounded by 8 regular Pedestals arranged in an octagonal pattern. The cardinal pedestals sit 3 blocks away (north, east, south, west) and the diagonal ones at 2 blocks on each axis (northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest).

To perform an Infusion, place the input item on the central Infusion Pedestal and the catalyst items on the surrounding pedestals according to the recipe. The ritual begins automatically, with particles streaming from the outer pedestals toward the center. Each recipe has a specific infusion time ranging from 75 ticks for simple items like Enchanted Petals up to 500 ticks for the Crystalite Elytra.

Key Infusion Recipes

The Infusion system's primary uses include creating Runed Flavolite from Polished Flavolite (using Crystal Shards on the cardinal pedestals), crafting Eternal Crystals from End Crystals (using both Crystal Shards and Ender Shards), and producing the entire Crystalite armor set from Terminite armor bases. Enchanted Petals (infused from Hydralux Petals) and Enchanted Membranes (from Phantom Membranes) are intermediate crafting components used in enchanted book recipes.

Every vanilla enchantment can be obtained through Infusion by placing a Book in the center pedestal with an Enchanted Petal in the north position, Lapis Lazuli on all diagonal pedestals, and theme-appropriate catalyst items on the remaining cardinal positions. For example, Fire Protection uses Magma Cream catalysts, Sharpness uses a Netherite Scrap, and Silk Touch requires an Eternal Crystal. Each enchanted book recipe takes 300-375 ticks.

The End Stone Smelter

The End Stone Smelter is a custom furnace that takes two input items and combines them through alloying. It is essential for creating Terminite and Aeternium Ingots. Craft it with End Stone Bricks, Thallasium Ingots, and Furnaces in a specific pattern. The Smelter also provides bonus output for certain vanilla materials: alloying two Iron-tagged items yields 3 Iron Ingots, two Gold-tagged items yield 3 Gold Ingots, two Copper-tagged items yield 3 Copper Ingots, and two Ancient Debris blocks yield 3 Netherite Scraps (at a much longer 1000-tick smelt time).

Hammer Tools

BetterEnd introduces Hammers, a new tool type used in Anvil crafting recipes. Hammers are required to forge materials on Anvils, with each hammer having a specific tool level that determines what it can work with. The mod provides Iron, Golden, Diamond, Netherite, and Aeternium Hammers. Iron, Golden, and Diamond Hammers are crafted on a Crafting Table with their respective ingots and Sticks in an H-shaped pattern. The Netherite Hammer is upgraded from a Diamond Hammer via Smithing Table, and the Aeternium Hammer Head is forged on an Aeternium Anvil then combined with a Leather Wrapped Stick.

Anvil recipes are central to Aeternium tool production. Crushing an Ender Pearl on an Iron Anvil with a tool level 4 hammer produces Ender Dust. Ender Shards can also be crushed into Ender Dust at a lower tool level. Each Aeternium component (Axe Head, Pickaxe Head, Shovel Head, Hoe Head, Hammer Head, Sword Blade, and Forged Plate) requires an Aeternium-level Anvil and hammer, consuming 6 durability per craft.

Mobs

Shadow Walker

The Shadow Walker is BetterEnd's primary hostile mob, found in the Shadow Forest biome. It has 35 health points (17.5 hearts), deals 4.5 attack damage, moves at 0.15 speed, and has 2.0 natural armor. These are dangerous opponents in the early game, so approach Shadow Forests with proper gear. They are the only truly hostile mob added by the mod.

Dragonfly

Dragonflies are passive flying mobs with 8 health points that drift through various End biomes. They add ambiance to the dimension and are generally harmless. They come in biome-specific color variants.

End Slime

End Slimes are hostile mobs that function similarly to Overworld Slimes but with End-appropriate coloring. Like vanilla Slimes, they split into smaller versions when killed. Their base stats are 1.0 health per size unit and 1.0 base attack damage.

End Fish

End Fish are aquatic mobs found in Megalake biomes. They have 2 health points and can be caught with a Bucket to create a Bucket of End Fish. They drop End Fish (Raw) when killed, which can be smelted into End Fish (Cooked) for a food source.

Cubozoa

Cubozoa are jellyfish-like aquatic mobs with 2 health points that swim through End water bodies. They are passive and add visual interest to aquatic biomes.

Silk Moth

Silk Moths are small flying insects with 2 health points found near Tenanea trees. They can be bred and housed in a Silk Moth Hive, crafted from Tenanea Planks, Tenanea Leaves, and a Silk Moth Matrix. Silk Moths produce Silk Fiber, which can be crafted into String (3 Silk Fiber = 6 String), making them a renewable String source in the End.

Food Sources

Surviving in the End long-term requires food, and BetterEnd provides several options. Shadow Berries grow in Shadow Forest biomes and restore 4 hunger raw or 6 when cooked. Blossom Berries from Blossoming Spires are equivalent to Sweet Berries. End Fish can be caught in Megalake biomes and smelted for food. Chorus Mushrooms and Bolux Mushrooms can both be cooked. Amber Roots provide a small snack at 2 hunger points and can also be crafted into Sugar (3 roots = 1 Sugar). Cave Pumpkins can be harvested and baked into Cave Pumpkin Pie.

For advanced food, craft Berry Jellies by combining Gelatine, a Water Bottle, Sugar, and a berry type. Sweet Berry Jelly restores 8 hunger, Blossom Berry Jelly also restores 8, and Shadow Berry Jelly restores 6 hunger but grants a Night Vision effect for 400 ticks. These are the best food items available in the End.

Respawn Obelisk

The Respawn Obelisk solves one of the biggest problems with living in the End: respawning. Normally, dying in the End sends you back to your Overworld spawn point, requiring another trip through the End Portal. The Obelisk lets you set a spawn point directly in the End dimension.

Craft the Respawn Obelisk with Aurora Crystals on the sides, Eternal Crystals in the middle column, and Amber Blocks on the bottom row. Place it in the End and right-click with an Amber Gem to activate it. The Amber Gem must have at least 6 durability remaining, as activation consumes durability. The middle and top sections glow at light level 15, making it easy to spot. Infusion particles will appear when you successfully set your spawn.

Enchantments and Special Items

End Veil Enchantment

BetterEnd adds one custom enchantment: End Veil. This is a helmet enchantment that grants Blindness Resistance, protecting you from the vision-obscuring effects in certain End biomes and from Enderman-related mechanics. It uses the rare enchantment rarity, so finding it through normal enchanting is uncommon, but you can obtain a guaranteed copy through Infusion.

Eternal Crystal

The Eternal Crystal is created via Infusion by placing an End Crystal in the center pedestal with Crystal Shards on the cardinal positions and Ender Shards on the diagonals. It is used in the Respawn Obelisk recipe and as a catalyst in Silk Touch and Infinity enchanted book Infusion recipes. Consider it one of the mod's most important intermediate materials.

Enchanted Books via Infusion

Every vanilla enchantment can be created deterministically through the Infusion Ritual, eliminating the randomness of enchanting tables. Each recipe requires a Book, an Enchanted Petal (north), Lapis Lazuli on all diagonal positions, and specific catalyst items on the remaining positions. This system is particularly valuable for hard-to-get enchantments like Mending, Silk Touch, and Infinity.

Crafting Dyes from End Plants

Many End plants can be crafted into dyes, giving you access to a full color palette without leaving the dimension. Blue Vine Seeds produce Blue Dye, Creeping Moss makes Cyan Dye, Umbrella Moss gives Yellow Dye, Shadow Plant produces Black Dye, Twisted Moss creates Pink Dye, Bushy Grass yields Magenta Dye, Tail Moss makes Gray Dye, Purple Polypore gives Purple Dye, and Hydralux Petals produce White Dye. The Charnia coral variants (Cyan, Green, Light Blue, Orange, Purple, Red) each produce their corresponding dye color. Twisted Umbrella Moss produces Red Dye.

Decorative Blocks and Lighting

BetterEnd provides extensive decorative options for building in the End. Stone Lanterns can be crafted from Crystal Shards and various stone slabs (End Stone, Andesite, Diorite, Granite, Quartz, Purpur, and Blackstone), each with a different look. Iron and Gold Chandeliers use Lumecorn Rods for an elegant lighting solution. Iron Bulb Lanterns combine an Iron Ingot with a Glowing Bulb, and come in all 16 dye colors.

Pedestals can be crafted from Andesite, Diorite, Granite, Quartz, and Purpur as both decorative display stands and functional components for the Infusion Ritual. Neon Cactus blocks can be compacted and crafted into slabs and stairs. Dragon Bone Blocks are made from Bone Blocks and Dragon's Breath for themed building. Endstone Flower Pots let you display End plants in your builds.

Emerald Ice

The Ice Starfield biome features Emerald Ice, a green-tinted ice variant unique to BetterEnd. Emerald Ice can be compacted into Dense Emerald Ice (2x2 crafting) and further into Ancient Emerald Ice (3x3 of Dense). Ancient Emerald Ice is used as a catalyst in the Frost Walker enchanted book Infusion recipe. These ice blocks also make for stunning decorative elements in builds.

Configuration

BetterEnd is extensively configurable through multiple config files. The entity config controls mob spawning rates and behavior. Block and item configs let you disable specific additions. The biome config controls which biomes generate and their rarity. The generator config adjusts the End world generator's terrain shape, island height, and cave frequency. The recipe config allows disabling any recipe in the mod. The enchantment config can toggle the End Veil enchantment, and client config handles visual settings.

All config files are created automatically on first launch and stored in the standard Fabric config directory. Most changes require a game restart to take effect, and generator changes require a new world.