Overview#
Nether Metals is an essential addon mod designed to transform the Nether from a barren wasteland into a primary resource quarry. By introducing 31 distinct types of ores to the Nether dimension, it provides players with a reason to explore and mine in the depths of the underworld. The mod is specifically built to integrate seamlessly with Base Metals and Modern Metals, but it also provides Nether-based versions of all standard Vanilla ores.
This mod is particularly popular in Skyblock modpacks and expert-style progression packs where overworld resources may be limited. It introduces high-risk, high-reward mechanics such as Zombie Pigman aggression and ore instability, ensuring that mining in the Nether remains a challenging endeavor.
Nether Ores (Blocks)#
The core of the mod consists of ore blocks that generate within Netherrack. These blocks have a hardness and blast resistance slightly higher than standard Netherrack, requiring appropriate pickaxes to harvest.
Vanilla Ore Variants
These ores generate regardless of other mods installed and provide the Nether equivalent of Overworld resources.
| Ore Block | Mining Level | Primary Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Coal Ore | 0 (Wood) | Coal |
| Nether Iron Ore | 1 (Stone) | Iron Ore / Ingot |
| Nether Lapis Ore | 1 (Stone) | Lapis Lazuli |
| Nether Gold Ore | 2 (Iron) | Gold Ore / Ingot |
| Nether Redstone Ore | 2 (Iron) | Redstone Dust |
| Nether Diamond Ore | 2 (Iron) | Diamond |
| Nether Emerald Ore | 2 (Iron) | Emerald |
Base Metals Compatibility
If the Base Metals mod is installed, these ores will generate in the Nether, allowing for the acquisition of modded materials without returning to the Overworld.
| Ore Block | Mining Level | Primary Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Copper Ore | 1 (Stone) | Copper Ore |
| Nether Tin Ore | 1 (Stone) | Tin Ore |
| Nether Lead Ore | 1 (Stone) | Lead Ore |
| Nether Silver Ore | 2 (Iron) | Silver Ore |
| Nether Zinc Ore | 1 (Stone) | Zinc Ore |
| Nether Nickel Ore | 2 (Iron) | Nickel Ore |
| Nether Mercury Ore | 2 (Iron) | Mercury Ore |
| Nether Platinum Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Platinum Ore |
| Nether Antimony Ore | 2 (Iron) | Antimony Ore |
| Nether Bismuth Ore | 2 (Iron) | Bismuth Ore |
Modern Metals Compatibility
If the Modern Metals mod is installed, the following advanced ores will appear in the Nether.
| Ore Block | Mining Level | Primary Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Aluminum Ore | 1 (Stone) | Aluminum Ore |
| Nether Cadmium Ore | 2 (Iron) | Cadmium Ore |
| Nether Chromium Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Chromium Ore |
| Nether Iridium Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Iridium Ore |
| Nether Magnesium Ore | 1 (Stone) | Magnesium Ore |
| Nether Manganese Ore | 2 (Iron) | Manganese Ore |
| Nether Osmium Ore | 2 (Iron) | Osmium Ore |
| Nether Plutonium Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Plutonium Ore |
| Nether Rutile Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Rutile Ore |
| Nether Tantalum Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Tantalum Ore |
| Nether Titanium Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Titanium Ore |
| Nether Tungsten Ore | 3 (Diamond) | Tungsten Ore |
| Nether Uranium Ore | 2 (Iron) | Uranium Ore |
| Nether Zirconium Ore | 2 (Iron) | Zirconium Ore |
Mechanics & Behavior#
Mining in the Nether is significantly more dangerous than in the Overworld due to two primary mechanics: Pigman Aggression and Ore Instability.
Zombie Pigman Aggression
Zombie Pigmen consider the ores of the Nether to be their property. When a player mines any Nether Metal ore, there is a configurable chance (defaulting to a high probability) that all Zombie Pigmen within a specific radius (default 16 blocks) will become hostile toward the player.
- Trigger: Breaking the ore block.
- Bypass: Using a tool with the Silk Touch enchantment may reduce or eliminate the aggression chance, depending on configuration settings.
Ore Explosions
Nether ores are volatile due to the extreme heat and pressure of the dimension. Mining an ore block has a small chance to trigger an explosion. This explosion can destroy nearby blocks and potentially set off a chain reaction if other ore blocks are adjacent.
- Explosion Strength: Roughly equivalent to a Creeper or TNT.
- Safety Tip: Mining from a distance or using specialized tools from compatible mods (like Mining Lasers) can mitigate this risk.
World Generation#
Nether Metals ores generate throughout the Nether (Dimension -1). They replace standard Netherrack blocks during world generation.
- Distribution: Ores are found at all Y-levels, though specific ores like Nether Diamond and Nether Platinum are more common at lower depths (Y: 5-30).
- Vein Size: Generally smaller than Overworld veins, typically ranging from 1 to 6 blocks per cluster.
- Frequency: Highly configurable. By default, common ores like Coal and Iron appear frequently, while rare metals like Iridium and Platinum are scarce.
Recipes & Processing#
Nether Metals ores are highly concentrated, often yielding better returns than their Overworld counterparts.
Smelting
Smelting a Nether Ore block in a standard Furnace or Blast Furnace typically yields two of the respective ingots or items. This makes Nether mining twice as efficient as Overworld mining in terms of raw material gain.
| Input | Output | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Iron Ore | Iron Ingot | 2 |
| Nether Gold Ore | Gold Ingot | 2 |
| Nether Copper Ore | Copper Ingot | 2 |
| Nether Diamond Ore | Diamond | 2 |
Grinding (Base Metals Integration)
If Base Metals is installed, players can use the Crack Hammer to process Nether ores into powders. Grinding a Nether Ore block typically results in two powders, which can then be smelted into ingots. This is the most efficient way to process materials early in the game.
Configuration#
The mod offers extensive configuration options to allow pack creators to balance the Nether experience. Configuration is split between the main nethermetals.cfg and individual JSON files for modded ores.
Key Config Options
- Pigman Anger: Enable or disable the aggression mechanic. You can also adjust the radius and the chance of angering them.
- Explosion Chance: Adjust the probability of an ore block exploding when mined (0.0 to 1.0).
- Explosion Strength: Set the power of the blast.
- Ore Spawn Rates: Every ore has individual settings for
spawn_rate,vein_size,min_height, andmax_height. - Silk Touch Override: Configure whether Silk Touch prevents explosions and Pigman anger.
Modded ore generation is handled via JSON files located in the config/orespawn/ directory, allowing for easy addition or removal of specific metal types.