Overview#
Modular Routers (v26.1.2 for Minecraft) is centered around a single block: the Modular Router. By itself, the router is an idle block with a one-stack internal buffer. However, by installing various Modules, Upgrades, and Augments, it can be transformed into a powerful tool for sorting, world interaction, and long-distance logistics. Unlike traditional pipe mods, Modular Routers often operates wirelessly or through blocks, making it an excellent choice for compact and unobtrusive automation.
The Modular Router interface showing the Buffer, Module slots, and Upgrade slots.
The Modular Router#
The Modular Router is the heart of the mod. It has three primary internal sections and several global settings.
Internal Storage
- Buffer: A single inventory slot that holds up to one stack of items. All modules interact with this buffer (pulling items into it or pushing items out of it).
- Module Slots: 9 slots for Modules. The router executes these modules in order from left to right every cycle.
- Upgrade Slots: 9 slots for Upgrades that provide global benefits to the router, such as increased speed or energy capacity.
Global Settings
- Redstone Mode: Determines when the router runs. Options include: Always On, High Signal, Low Signal, and Pulse (runs once per redstone pulse).
- Eco Mode: When enabled, the router reduces its tick rate if it has been idle for a period, significantly reducing server CPU impact.
- Energy Buffer: If an Energy Upgrade is installed, the router gains a Forge Energy (FE) buffer. Some modules can be configured to require FE to operate.
Modules#
Modules define the specific actions a router takes. Most modules are directional and can be configured by right-clicking them in the air or clicking them while inside the router GUI.
Transfer Modules
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| Puller Mk1 | Pulls items from an adjacent inventory into the buffer. |
| Puller Mk2 | Pulls items from a remote inventory (up to 12 blocks away). Requires 'syncing' to the target block by shift-right-clicking it. |
| Sender Mk1 | Sends items from the buffer to the first inventory found in a straight line (up to 8 blocks). |
| Sender Mk2 | Sends items to a specific remote inventory (up to 24 blocks). Requires syncing. |
| Sender Mk3 | Sends items to a specific remote inventory across any distance or dimension (requires energy). |
| Distributor | Distributes items from the buffer to multiple nearby inventories in a round-robin or random fashion. |
| Vacuum | Sucks up dropped items in a radius around the router. |
| Player | Interacts with the player's own inventory (main, offhand, or armor slots) regardless of distance. |
World Interaction Modules
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| Placer | Places the item in the buffer as a block in the world. |
| Breaker | Breaks the block adjacent to the router and puts the drops into the buffer. |
| Extruder Mk1/Mk2 | Extends a line of blocks from the buffer and retracts them (ideal for drawbridges). Mk2 allows for complex shapes. |
| Activator | Simulates a player right-clicking or attacking with the item in the buffer. |
| Dropper | Drops the item in the buffer into the world as an entity. |
| Flinger | Similar to the Dropper, but launches the item with velocity in a specific direction. |
Specialized Modules
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| Fluid Mk1/Mk2 | Transfers fluids between the router (using buckets in the buffer) and adjacent/remote tanks. |
| Energy Output | Pushes FE from the router's internal buffer to an adjacent block. |
| Energy Distributor | Wirelessly pushes FE to up to 8 nearby energy-receiving blocks. |
| Detector | Emits a redstone signal based on the contents of the router's buffer. |
| Void | Deletes items in the buffer that match the filter. |
Upgrades#
Upgrades are placed in the 9 upgrade slots on the right side of the Router GUI. They affect the entire router's operation.
- Speed Upgrade: Reduces the time between router cycles. A router with 9 speed upgrades can run every tick.
- Stack Upgrade: Increases the number of items a module can move per cycle (up to a full stack).
- Energy Upgrade: Adds a 50,000 FE buffer per upgrade. Necessary for energy-based modules.
- Fluid Transfer Upgrade: Increases the amount of fluid moved per cycle by Fluid Modules.
- Camouflage Upgrade: Allows the router to take on the appearance of another block. Shift-right-click a block with the upgrade to set the texture.
- Muffler Upgrade: Silences the sounds produced by the router and its modules.
- Blast Upgrade: Makes the router immune to explosions.
- Security Upgrade: Restricts GUI access and prevents the Activator module from attacking the owner or whitelisted players.
- Sync Upgrade: Synchronizes the execution timing of multiple routers.
Augments#
Augments are installed inside individual modules to fine-tune their behavior. Each module has 4 augment slots.
- Range Up/Down: Increases or decreases the operational range of the module.
- Stack Augment: Overrides the router's stack upgrades for that specific module.
- Redstone Augment: Allows a specific module to only run based on a redstone signal, independent of the router's global setting.
- Regulator Augment: Limits the number of items the module will maintain in the target inventory.
- Filter Round Robin: Changes the module's filter matching to cycle through items one by one.
- Fast Pickup (Vacuum): Allows the Vacuum module to ignore the standard item pickup delay.
- XP Vacuum (Vacuum): Allows the Vacuum module to collect experience orbs.
- Mimic (Extruder Mk2): Causes extruded blocks to mimic the properties (light, redstone) of the original block.
- Pushing (Extruder): Increases the force with which the extruder pushes entities away.
Smart Filters#
While every module has a built-in 9-slot filter, Smart Filters can be placed into these slots to provide advanced logic.
- Bulk Item Filter: Provides a much larger inventory for filtering (up to 54 slots).
- Inspection Filter: Filters items based on NBT data, durability, enchantments, or mod of origin.
- Mod Filter: Matches all items from a specific mod.
- Registry Filter: Uses Regular Expressions (Regex) to match item registry names.
Mechanics & Configuration#
Execution Order
Modules are executed sequentially from slot 1 to slot 9. If a module successfully moves an item, the router immediately proceeds to the next module. This allows for complex logic, such as a router that first tries to send items to a furnace, then to a chest, and finally to a void module if both are full.
Directional Logic
Directional modules (Puller Mk1, Sender Mk1, Placer, etc.) can be set to any of the 6 faces: North, South, East, West, Up, Down. They can also be set to Front, Back, Left, Right, Above, Below relative to the router's orientation.
Energy Costs
By default, most modules do not require energy. However, in many modpacks, energy costs are enabled in the config. The Sender Mk3 always requires energy for inter-dimensional travel. Each Energy Upgrade increases the router's capacity by 50,000 FE.
