Just Dire Things

Overview

Just Dire Things by Direwolf20 is a technology and automation mod that adds four tiers of materials, tools with unique toggleable abilities, automation blocks, energy generation, and a unique Goo-based ore creation system. The mod's progression takes you from the Overworld through the Nether, End, and Deep Dark, unlocking increasingly powerful gear and machines along the way.

The four material tiers are Ferricore, Blazegold, Celestigem, and Eclipse Alloy. Each tier unlocks new tool abilities that go far beyond vanilla functionality, including ore scanning, vein mining, auto-smelting, hammer mining, and even instant block breaking. On the automation side, you get Block Breakers, Block Placers, Clickers, Sensors, Droppers, and Block Swappers, all configurable with filters and redstone control. You can browse every item and recipe this mod adds using the tabs at the top of this page.

The Goo System

The Goo system is the core resource generation mechanic in Just Dire Things. Goo Blocks are living blocks that slowly convert adjacent vanilla blocks into the mod's raw ore blocks. Each tier of Goo Block requires materials from a different dimension, creating a natural progression gate.

Goo Block Tiers

Tier 1 Goo Blocks are crafted from basic Overworld materials and convert Iron Blocks into Raw Ferricore Ore (2400 ticks) and Coal Blocks into Raw Coal T1 (2400 ticks). Tier 2 uses Nether materials (Blaze Powder, Redstone, Nether Wart) wrapped around a Tier 1 Goo Block, and converts Gold Blocks into Raw Blazegold Ore and Coal T1 Blocks into Raw Coal T2. Tier 3 requires End materials (Ender Pearls, Chorus Fruit, Shulker Shells) and converts Diamond Blocks into Raw Celestigem Ore (4800 ticks). Tier 4 demands Deep Dark materials (Sculk, Sculk Shriekers, Echo Shards) and converts Netherite Blocks into Raw Eclipse Alloy Ore (4800 ticks).

Higher-tier Goo Blocks can perform all lower-tier conversions as well. A Tier 4 Goo Block can convert Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Netherite Blocks, making it the most versatile option once you reach endgame.

Goo Soil

The mod also adds Goo Soil in four tiers. These function as enhanced Farmland blocks. Tiers 3 and 4 have block entities that can actively accelerate crop growth, acting like automated Bone Meal. Place Goo Soil under your crops for faster harvests, especially useful for automation setups.

Tiered Coal

Alongside the metal ores, Goo Blocks also produce tiered Coal. Coal T1 through T4 are higher-quality fuel sources produced from upgrading Coal Blocks through the Goo chain. Each tier of Coal can be compacted into its respective Coal Block (9 coal per block) and decompacted back. These tiered coals burn longer and hotter, providing more efficient fuel for generators.

Tools and Abilities

Just Dire Things tools follow standard vanilla crafting patterns (Sword, Pickaxe, Axe, Shovel, Hoe) but each tool comes with unique toggleable abilities that can be switched on and off through the tool's settings GUI. Different tool types within the same tier have different abilities, and higher tiers unlock progressively more powerful effects.

Ferricore Tools (Tier 1)

Ferricore is your first tier of tools with 500 durability, 7.0 mining speed, 2.5 base attack damage, and 15 enchantability. The Ferricore Sword has Mob Scanner, which highlights nearby mobs through walls. The Pickaxe has Ore Scanner (highlights ores through blocks, 10 durability per use) and Ore Miner (vein-mines connected ore blocks, 1 durability per block). The Axe gets Tree Feller (chops entire trees) and Leaf Breaker (clears leaves in an area). The Shovel comes with Sky Sweeper (clears falling blocks like Sand and Gravel) and Lawn Mower (removes grass and flowers in an area).

Blazegold Tools (Tier 2)

Blazegold tools have 1440 durability, 12.0 mining speed, 3.0 base damage, and 22 enchantability. All Blazegold tools are fire-resistant, meaning they won't burn in Lava. The Sword inherits Mob Scanner and gains Lava Repair (throw the tool in Lava to repair it) and Cauterize Wounds (30 durability per use, sets attackers on fire). The Pickaxe adds Smelter (auto-smelts mined blocks) and Hammer (3x3 mining area) to its Ore Scanner and Ore Miner abilities, plus Lava Repair. The Axe adds Smelter on top of Tree Feller and Leaf Breaker. The Shovel gains Smelter and a 3x3 Hammer in addition to Sky Sweeper and Lawn Mower.

Celestigem Tools (Tier 3)

Celestigem tools have 1561 durability, 10.0 mining speed (slower than Blazegold but with more powerful abilities), 4.0 base damage, and 18 enchantability. The key new ability at this tier is Drop Teleport, which sends mined drops directly to your inventory instead of scattering on the ground (2 durability per use). The Pickaxe and Shovel both gain Hammer mining (up to 5x5 area) along with Smelter and Drop Teleport. The Sword adds Drop Teleport and Cauterize Wounds. This tier also introduces the Paxel, a combined Pickaxe, Axe, and Shovel that inherits abilities from all three tools.

Eclipse Alloy Tools (Tier 4)

Eclipse Alloy is the endgame tier with 2561 durability, 16.0 mining speed, 5.0 base damage, and 25 enchantability. These tools are fire-resistant and, critically, are powered tools that run on Forge Energy (FE) with a 500,000 FE internal buffer. When powered, they retain full damage; when depleted, they lose their attack damage bonus. The Pickaxe upgrades Ore Scanner to Ore X-Ray (100 durability, 5000 FE per use, highlights ores through terrain at much greater range) and gains Instant Break (instantly mines blocks below a hardness threshold, 250 FE per use). The Sword replaces Mob Scanner with Glowing (applies the Glowing effect to nearby mobs, 100 durability, 5000 FE), plus Cauterize Wounds and Drop Teleport. The Paxel is the ultimate tool, combining all abilities from every Eclipse Alloy tool type including Ore X-Ray, Ore Miner, Sky Sweeper, Lawn Mower, Tree Feller, Leaf Breaker, Smelter, Hammer (up to 7x7), Drop Teleport, and Instant Break.

Automation Blocks

Just Dire Things includes a full suite of automation blocks, most available in two tiers. Tier 1 machines are crafted with Ferricore Ingots and vanilla components, while Tier 2 upgrades use Celestigem. All machines are directional, meaning they operate on the block face they point toward. Use the Ferricore Wrench to rotate them.

Block Breaker

The Block Breaker breaks the block in front of it on a configurable timer. Tier 1 uses Ferricore Ingots, a Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Redstone, and an Observer. Tier 2 upgrades the T1 with Celestigem and Ender Eyes for improved performance. Both tiers support item filters, so you can restrict which blocks they break. The minimum tick speed for all machines is configurable (default: 1 tick).

Block Placer

The Block Placer places blocks from its internal inventory into the world in front of it. Tier 1 uses a Dispenser as its core component instead of the Observer used in the Breaker. Like the Breaker, it supports filters and has a T2 upgrade.

Clicker

The Clicker simulates right-clicks or left-clicks on the block or entity in front of it. It can hold items and use them, making it extremely versatile for automation. Use it to apply Bone Meal to crops, activate buttons, or interact with other mods' machines. Crafted with Ferricore Ingots, an Ender Eye, Lapis Lazuli, a Dispenser, and Redstone.

Sensor

The Sensor detects blocks, entities, or items in front of it and emits a Redstone signal when its condition is met. It uses an Observer and Ender Eye in its recipe alongside Ferricore Ingots. Configure what it looks for in its GUI, including specific block types, entities, or item filters. Tier 2 adds more detection range and options.

Dropper

The Dropper ejects items from its inventory into the world as item entities. Unlike the vanilla Dropper, it can be precisely timed and filtered. Tier 1 uses a vanilla Dropper core with Ferricore Ingots, while Tier 2 upgrades with Celestigem.

Block Swapper

The Block Swapper swaps the block in front of it with a block from its inventory. Tier 1 is crafted with Blazegold Ingots (Tier 2 material), making it a mid-game machine. Tier 2 uses Eclipse Alloy Ingots for the upgrade. This is particularly useful for replacing blocks in builds without breaking and placing separately.

Item Collector

The Item Collector pulls in nearby dropped items within its configurable range and stores them in its internal inventory or pipes them to adjacent containers. It requires Ferricore Ingots, Hoppers, a Diamond, and an Ender Pearl. Place it near your mob farm or mining operation to automatically collect drops.

Player Accessor

The Player Accessor is a unique Blazegold-tier block that allows other automation to interact with a player's inventory. Crafted with Blazegold Ingots, Ender Eyes, Ender Pearls, and a Dispenser, it bridges the gap between your automation network and your personal inventory.

Energy Generation and Distribution

Just Dire Things has its own energy ecosystem built around Forge Energy (FE). You'll need power for Eclipse Alloy tools and can optionally use it with automation blocks.

Generator T1

The Generator T1 is a solid-fuel burning generator crafted with Ferricore Ingots, Coal, Redstone, and a Blast Furnace. It produces 15 FE per fuel tick with a 4x burn speed multiplier, stores up to 1,000,000 FE, and outputs 1,000 FE/t to adjacent blocks or Energy Transmitters. With Coal's 1600 burn ticks, a single piece of Coal produces 24,000 FE (1600 x 15), but burns in 400 ticks (20 seconds) due to the 4x multiplier.

Pocket Generators

Pocket Generators are portable fuel-burning generators that sit in your inventory and charge your powered tools. They come in four tiers matching the mod's material progression. Tier 1 (Ferricore, 100K FE buffer, 100 FE/t charge rate, 2x burn speed) is enough for casual Eclipse Alloy tool use. Tier 2 (Blazegold, 200K FE, 200 FE/t, 5x burn) doubles the output. Tier 3 (Celestigem, 500K FE, 500 FE/t, 10x burn) handles sustained heavy use. Tier 4 (Eclipse Alloy, 1M FE, 1000 FE/t, 20x burn) keeps up with even the most demanding abilities.

Energy Transmitter

The Energy Transmitter wirelessly sends energy between two points. It stores up to 1,000,000 FE, transmits at 1,000 FE/t, but loses 1% of the energy per block of distance. Over short distances this is negligible, but for long-range transmission you may want to chain multiple transmitters. Crafted with Blazegold Ingots, a Celestigem, Redstone, and an Ender Pearl.

Fuel Canister

The Fuel Canister is a portable fuel storage item that consolidates multiple fuel sources into one item. It stores up to 10,000,000 fuel ticks and can be used in Furnaces. When used as fuel, it consumes 200 ticks per smelting operation. Load it with Coal, Wood, or any other burnable item through its GUI. Crafted with Ferricore Ingots and Coal.

Obtaining Materials

All four material tiers in Just Dire Things are obtained exclusively through the Goo Block conversion process. There are no ores to mine in the world. Instead, you supply vanilla metal blocks and let Goo Blocks transform them.

Utility Items

Ferricore Wrench

The Ferricore Wrench is crafted from four Ferricore Ingots in a diagonal pattern. It rotates machines and changes the facing direction of directional blocks. This is essential for setting up automation, as all machines operate on the block face they point toward.

Totem of Death Recall

The Totem of Death Recall is a Blazegold-tier item crafted with Blazegold Ingots, Diamonds, Ender Pearls, and Lapis Lazuli. When you die, it records your death location. Hold the bound totem and use it (hold right-click for 1 second) to teleport back to where you died, even across dimensions. The totem is consumed on use, so craft several if you're heading into dangerous territory. It stacks to 1.

Configuration

Just Dire Things is highly configurable through its common config file. The most important settings are the Generator T1's output (default 15 FE per fuel tick, 4x burn speed, 1M buffer, 1000 FE/t extraction), the Energy Transmitter's loss rate (default 1% per block), and the minimum machine tick speed (default 1, meaning machines can operate every single game tick). All four Pocket Generator tiers have individually configurable FE output, buffer size, burn speed multiplier, and charge rate.

The Fuel Canister has two key config values: the maximum fuel capacity (default 10,000,000 fuel ticks) and the minimum ticks consumed per Furnace operation (default 200). Server admins can tune these values to balance the mod's power level for their specific modpack.