Overview#
PlantTech 2 is a comprehensive Minecraft mod that bridges the gap between nature and technology. Originally created by Kaneka, it expands upon the concepts of the original PlantTech by introducing a deep genetic engineering system, automated farming, and a unique energy system known as Plant Energy (PE).
The mod is divided into three primary paths:
- Way of the Cross Breeding: Focuses on the agricultural side, where players breed vanilla crops to create resource-producing plants and improve their genetic traits.
- Way of the PlantTechian: The technical side, involving the construction of machines, energy generation, and the creation of upgradable tools and armor.
- Way of the Travelling (WIP): A planned expansion involving interdimensional travel and the discovery of new civilizations.
Getting Started#
To begin your journey in PlantTech 2, you must first master the basics of crop management and material gathering.
Basic Tools
| Item | Function |
|---|---|
| Cropbars | Crafted with 4 sticks in a 2x2 grid. Essential for planting and breeding PlantTech crops. |
| Analyzer | Used to check if a crop's growth conditions (light, water, soil, temperature) are met. |
| Advanced Analyzer | A powered version of the analyzer that provides more detailed genetic information. |
| Thermometer | Measures the temperature of the current biome, which is critical for crop growth. |
| Plant Encyclopedia | An in-game guide book that contains data on all discovered crops and machines. |
First Steps
- Craft Cropbars: Place them on the ground. Unlike vanilla crops, PlantTech crops require these frames to grow.
- Plant Seeds: Right-click a vanilla seed (like Wheat) onto the cropbars.
- Check Conditions: Use an Analyzer to ensure the light level, water range, and soil are correct. Note that Bonemeal does not work on these crops; you must use specialized fertilizers or improve the 'Growth' trait.
Way of the Cross Breeding#
Crossbreeding is the core mechanic for obtaining new resource crops and improving existing ones.
Breeding Mechanics
To crossbreed, place two fully grown parent crops with an empty set of cropbars between them. There is a chance (default 10%) that the empty cropbars will sprout a new crop type based on the parents.
Crop Traits
Every seed has hidden traits that determine its efficiency. These must be identified using an Identifier machine or an Advanced Analyzer.
| Trait | Effect |
|---|---|
| Growth | Determines how fast the plant reaches maturity. |
| Sensitivity | Affects how easily the plant is affected by negative environmental factors. |
| Productivity | Increases the amount of resources dropped during harvest. |
| Fertility | Increases the chance of the plant spreading to adjacent cropbars. |
| Water Range | Determines how far the plant can be from a water source (starts at 1 block). |
| Temperature Tolerance | Allows the plant to grow in biomes outside its native temperature range. |
| Light Level | Reduces the minimum light required for growth. |
Resource Crops
By breeding specific combinations, you can unlock crops that drop resource particles (e.g., Iron Particles), which can be compressed into ingots.
- Tier 1: Wheat, Carrots, Potatoes, Beetroot.
- Tier 2: Coal, Iron, Copper, Lapis.
- Tier 3: Gold, Redstone, Quartz, Glowstone.
- Tier 4: Diamond, Emerald, Obsidian, Netherite.
- Mob Crops: Cow, Pig, Squid, Chicken, Enderman, Wither Skeleton.
Way of the PlantTechian#
The technical path involves using Plant Energy (PE) to power advanced machinery. PE is compatible with FE (Forge Energy) and RF (Redstone Flux).
Energy Generation & Storage
- Solar Generators: The primary source of PE. They require Solar Focus items (Tiers 1-4) to function, with higher tiers generating significantly more energy.
- Energy Storage: Batteries that can be tiered up (Tier 1 to Tier 3) to store millions of PE units.
Machines
Most machines in PlantTech 2 are not crafted but grown. You must plant a Machine Bulb into a Machine Frame.
| Machine | Description |
|---|---|
| Seed Squeezer | The only machine crafted directly. It crushes seeds into Biomass and energy. |
| Machine Bulb Reprocessor | Uses Biomass and seeds to create bulbs for other machines. Requires a Knowledge Chip. |
| Identifier | Automatically identifies the traits of 'Unknown' seeds. |
| Plant Infuser | Infuses items with PE and Biomass to create high-tier components like Plantium Gears. |
| Compressor | Turns resource particles (e.g., Gold Particles) into their ingot or block forms. |
| Plant Farm | An automated harvester that manages large fields of crops. |
Growing Machines
To create a machine frame, you must grow a Carver Crop next to a block of Iron or Plantium. The crop will slowly 'carve' the block into a frame, which can then receive a bulb.
Genetic Engineering#
For players who want total control over their crops, the Genetic Engineering system allows for the manual manipulation of traits.
- DNA Extractor: Place a seed inside to extract its genetic code into a DNA Flask. This destroys the seed.
- DNA Combiner: Merge two DNA Flasks to create a new flask with the best traits of both parents.
- Genetic Engineering Station: Apply the traits from a DNA Flask onto a target seed. This allows you to create 'Super Seeds' with maxed-out Growth and Productivity traits without the randomness of crossbreeding.
Knowledge Chips
Knowledge Chips (Tiers 0-3) are required for advanced machine operations. They 'level up' by being present in machines while they process items, absorbing 'knowledge' over time.
Equipment & Upgrades#
PlantTech 2 provides a suite of tools and armor made from Plantium, which can be further enhanced with specialized chips.
Upgradable Gear
- Plantium Armor: Provides high protection and can be fitted with Armor Chips (Defense), Attack Chips (Strength), and Aura Cores.
- Aura Cores: These are special upgrades that emit a field around the player. For example, a Temperature Aura Core can normalize the temperature for nearby crops, allowing them to grow in any biome.
Machine Upgrades
Machines have slots for chips that modify their behavior:
- Speed Upgrade: Reduces processing time. Formula:
200 - (Tier * 35)ticks. - Capacity Upgrade: Increases internal energy/fluid storage. Formula:
1000 * 10^TierPE.
Mechanics & Configuration#
Environmental Factors
- Soil: High-tier crops require specific soil blocks (e.g., End Stone for Enderman seeds, Soul Sand for Nether-based crops).
- Temperature: Biomes are categorized into Cold, Normal, Warm, and Extreme. Crops will only grow if the biome temperature matches their requirement unless a Temperature Tolerance trait or Aura Core is used.
Configuration
PlantTech 2 is highly customizable via Datapacks. Server owners can define:
- New crop types and their parents.
- Custom drops for any crop.
- Machine recipes for the Compressor, Infuser, and Chipalyzer.
Commands
/planttech2- The base command for mod administrative functions./planttech2 guide- Opens the digital guide if the physical book is lost.
Gallery#
