Minecraft, at its heart, is a game about mining, digging, and resource gathering. However, the vanilla mining experience can often feel slow and repetitive. Even with the best pickaxes, breaking blocks one by one can turn the excitement of exploration into a tedious grind, especially on a multiplayer server where efficiency is key. If you’re running a Minecraft server, you might be looking for ways to enhance the gameplay and make resource gathering more engaging for your players.
Fortunately, the vast Minecraft modding community offers solutions to almost every gameplay hurdle. One such solution is the Ore Excavation mod. This mod drastically improves the mining experience by allowing players to mine entire veins of ore, chop down whole trees, and mass-harvest blocks with a single action. This not only speeds up resource collection but also makes collaborative projects and server economies much more efficient and enjoyable.
This guide will walk you through the process of uploading and installing the Ore Excavation mod onto your Minecraft server, allowing you and your players to benefit from its enhanced mining capabilities.
Understanding Ore Excavation Mod and Server Compatibility
Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand what the Ore Excavation mod does and its compatibility with Minecraft servers. The Ore Excavation mod enhances the core mining mechanics of Minecraft. Instead of mining blocks individually, it allows players to trigger a chain reaction, breaking all connected blocks of the same type. Imagine mining a single ore block and instantly clearing out the entire vein of diamonds, gold, or iron!
For server environments, this mod can significantly reduce the time players spend on resource gathering, enabling them to focus more on building, exploring, and interacting with each other. It’s particularly beneficial for servers focused on community projects, survival challenges, or those aiming to streamline gameplay.
To run Ore Excavation on your server, you’ll need a server setup that supports mods. This typically means using a Minecraft server that runs Forge, the most popular mod loader for Minecraft. Forge allows you to easily add and manage mods on your server, including Ore Excavation.
Prerequisites for Server Mod Installation
To successfully upload and run the Ore Excavation mod on your Minecraft server, you will need the following:
- A Minecraft Server (Java Edition): You need to have a functioning Minecraft Server (Java Edition) already set up. This guide assumes you have access to your server files.
- Minecraft Forge Server: Your server needs to be running Minecraft Forge. Forge is a free, open-source server that allows you to load and run Minecraft mods. If you haven’t installed Forge yet, you’ll need to do so before proceeding.
- Ore Excavation Mod File: You will need to download the Ore Excavation mod
.jar
file. Make sure to download the version of the mod that is compatible with your server’s Minecraft and Forge versions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Ore Excavation Mod to Your Minecraft Server
Here’s a detailed guide on how to upload the Ore Excavation mod to your Minecraft server:
Step 1: Download Minecraft Forge Server (If Not Already Installed)
If you haven’t already set up Forge on your server, you’ll need to download the recommended installer from the official Minecraft Forge website (https://files.minecraftforge.net/). Choose the Forge version that corresponds to your Minecraft server version.
Step 2: Install Minecraft Forge Server
Run the Forge installer .jar
file. In the installer window, select “Install server” and choose the directory where your Minecraft server files are located. Click “OK” to install Forge. Forge will create necessary libraries and a forge-server.jar
file in your server directory.
Step 3: Download Ore Excavation Mod
Navigate to a trusted Minecraft mod repository like CurseForge (https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/ore-excavation) and download the Ore Excavation mod .jar
file. Ensure you download the version of the mod that is compatible with your Minecraft server version and Forge version.
Step 4: Upload the Mod to the Server’s “mods” Folder
- Access your server files: Use an FTP client (like FileZilla or WinSCP) or your server control panel’s file manager to access your Minecraft server’s file directory.
- Locate the “mods” folder: Inside your server directory, find the folder named “mods”. If it doesn’t exist, create a new folder and name it “mods” (all lowercase).
- Upload the Ore Excavation Mod: Drag and drop or upload the downloaded Ore Excavation mod
.jar
file into the “mods” folder.
Step 5: Restart Your Minecraft Server
After uploading the mod, restart your Minecraft server. This will allow Forge to load the Ore Excavation mod during server startup.
Step 6: Verify Mod Installation on the Server
- Check Server Logs: After restarting, check your server console or server logs for any errors related to mod loading. If Ore Excavation loaded successfully, you should see messages indicating that the mod has been initialized.
- In-Game Verification: Join your Minecraft server and try using the Ore Excavation mod features. By default, holding down the
~
(tilde) key while mining should activate the mass-mining feature. Try mining an ore vein or chopping down a tree to confirm the mod is working.
Configuring Ore Excavation Mod on Your Server
Ore Excavation comes with extensive configuration options that you can adjust to tailor the mod’s behavior to your server’s needs. While many settings are client-side, some server-side configurations can be adjusted.
Accessing Server Config Files:
Server-specific configurations for Ore Excavation are usually found in the server’s config
folder. Look for a configuration file related to Ore Excavation, often named something like oreexcavation-server.toml
or similar, depending on the mod version and configuration system.
Key Configuration Options (Server-Side):
While the original article mentions client-side configurations, for server admins, the TPS (Ticks Per Second) guard is particularly relevant. This setting helps prevent server slowdowns by limiting the mod’s impact on server performance. You might also find options to blacklist certain tools or blocks server-wide, if needed for balance.
Remember that many configuration options are client-side, meaning players can customize their own Ore Excavation experience through the Mod Options menu in their Minecraft client.
Tips for Running Ore Excavation Mod on a Server
- Performance Considerations: While Ore Excavation is generally well-optimized, mass-mining large areas can potentially impact server performance, especially on lower-end servers or with many players using the mod simultaneously. Monitor your server’s performance (CPU, RAM usage) after installing the mod. The TPS guard mentioned in the configuration can help mitigate performance issues.
- Communicate with Players: Inform your players about the new mod and how to use it. Explain the default keybind (
~
key) and any server-specific configurations or limitations. - Balance and Gameplay: Consider how Ore Excavation impacts your server’s economy and gameplay balance. While it enhances mining speed, it can also accelerate resource acquisition significantly. Adjust other server settings or economy aspects if needed to maintain balance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Mod Not Loading: If Ore Excavation doesn’t seem to be working, double-check that:
- You have installed Minecraft Forge Server correctly.
- You have placed the correct version of the Ore Excavation mod
.jar
file in themods
folder. - Your server has been restarted after adding the mod.
- Check server logs for any error messages related to Ore Excavation or Forge.
- Server Crashing: If your server crashes after installing Ore Excavation, it could be due to mod incompatibility or conflicts with other mods. Check crash logs for details. Ensure you are using compatible versions of Forge and Ore Excavation for your Minecraft server version.
Conclusion
The Ore Excavation mod is a fantastic addition to any Minecraft server looking to enhance the mining experience. By streamlining resource gathering, it allows players to spend less time on tedious tasks and more time enjoying other aspects of the game, fostering creativity, collaboration, and community engagement on your server. By following this guide, you can easily upload and install Ore Excavation, bringing a new level of efficiency and enjoyment to your Minecraft server. Give it a try and see how it transforms your server’s gameplay!