Better Vanilla Mobs
ModMobs gain random abilities and stats for more surprising fights.
Why gradeB
How grades workStrengths
Points lost
- No source code link−7 points
- No release in 4 months−2 points
- Releases in only 7 of the last 24 months−1 point
- Under 5 million downloads−1 point
All 11 criteria
Maintenance
2 points lost25 / 27Last releaseHow long ago the newest file came out, or an existing file was marked as working on a new Minecraft version.4 months ago (3 Jul 2026) 11 / 12Supports popular versionsWhether the project has a file for a Minecraft version that 15% or more of the popular mods updated in the last 6 months also support. A version many modpacks use, like 1.20.1 or 1.21.1, also counts after a release in the last 12 months.26.2 on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt. 72% of the 718 popular Fabric mods updated in the last 6 months also have files for 26.2. Latest Minecraft: 26.3. 9 / 9Regular releasesIn how many of the last 24 months a new file came out. Full points at 8 months.Releases in 7 of the last 24 months 5 / 6Stability
Full points22 / 22Removed from modpacksHow many modpacks removed it in a later version of the pack. We can only see this in modpacks with two or more versions. A pack that swaps it for another edition of the same project, or that is rebuilt from scratch, does not count.None of the 3 modpacks with two or more versions removed it 10 / 10Quick fixesHow often a release needed a quick fix: a new release within 3 days to fix a problem in it.No quick fix in 2 years 7 / 7Known conflictsHow many projects say they do not work with it, compared with how widely it is used. Packs, small projects, forks, ports, add-ons, alternatives and old versions do not count.None 5 / 5Transparency
7 points lost3 / 10Source codeWhether the project page links to its source code, so anyone can read what it does.No link on the project page 0 / 7Place to report problemsWhether the project page links to a place where players can report problems: an issue tracker.Discord 3 / 3Popularity
1 point lost3 / 4DownloadsDownloads on Modrinth and CurseForge. Full points from 5 million.30,239 3 / 4Track record
1 point lost7 / 8AgeHow long the project has existed. It counts less when no new file came out recently.3.1 years, 17 releases 7 / 8Security
PassedFile checksThis check adds no points. It can only take points away.Our checks found nothing harmful in all 3 latest files for recent Minecraft versions. See Security
60.4 of the 71 points that apply = 85 out of 100. The points above are rounded to whole numbers.
Images
About
Better Vanilla Mobs makes combat less predictable by giving vanilla mobs randomized skills and stat changes, creating more than 1,000 possible variants while aiming to retain the vanilla feel. Its changes span many familiar enemies: creepers can rush players or explode when hit, spiders can throw cobwebs or summon smaller spiders, and skeletons may switch to swords, use shields, or deploy bombs. Other abilities alter how mobs interact with their surroundings and each other: zombies may dig through soft materials or build dirt towers, endermen can break protective roofs, and evokers can heal nearby allies. Mobs can receive affinity buffs to damage, speed, knockback, or health, while rare Alpha variants gain all of those stat boosts; custom names can display a mob’s rarity and affinity. Players can choose easy, medium, or hard difficulty, which affects the likelihood of mobs receiving skills and stat changes, and can enable Nightmare levels for additional scaling or progressive increases over time. A craftable Totem of Weakness creates a protected area where mobs remain vanilla, making it useful for safeguarding bases and mob farms. The project also provides configurable mob and skill options and lists compatibility with mob-focused projects such as Beasts and Monsters, Better Nether Mobs, Special Mobs, and Upgraded Mobs.
Written from Modrinth . How we write it
In-game changes
Does not change the game's code directly.
Adds 1 recipe, 13 advancements and 1 loot table.
Counted from the names and data files in the mod, so the list may not be complete.
Keeps all of vanilla Minecraft's textures, models and sounds.
Details
Security
No harmful code found
We checked its files and read their code, without running it.
Why we show this: a mod runs on your computer like any program, so harmful code in it can take your accounts or files. Our checks look for known signs of harm. They cannot prove that a file is harmless. In the grade: malware means no grade, and a Warning in a latest file for a recent Minecraft version lowers it.
How we checked
- FilesWe download the files from Modrinth or CurseForge and look at what is inside them and what their code can do, without running them. Fixed rules tell what is harmful.3 latest files: the newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. All 3 are for recent versions. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks. See each file in Releases
- Their codeWe turn the code of the files back into readable code and follow what it does, without running it. This shows what it downloads, what it sends and where your login goes.Read without running it
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares that the project reads or edits things on your system outside the game. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when this applies.Nothing declared about your system outside the game.
- Looked for, not foundWe looked for these in the file and did not find them.The internet, folders outside the game, other programs, updating itself, the webcam or microphone, an AI service.
Privacy
We found nothing it sends
We read its code without running it: it contacts no web address while you play.
Why we show this: a mod can send things about you over the internet, like your player name or your login. Contacting an address to check for updates or download files sends nothing about you. Not in the grade: sending data can be normal for what a mod does.
How we checked
- Files readWe read the code without running it. We list each web address the code contacts while you play, and what it sends. Code that is never used is left out.The code of all 3 files, for recent Minecraft versions. See each file in Releases
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares crash reports, usage data and advertisements. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a project collects data on its users or shows advertisements.Nothing declared about crash reports, usage data or advertisements.
AI
No sign that AI was used to make it
We looked for AI tools in its texts, files and images and found none.
No sign of AI in the game
We found no AI service, AI library or AI model file in its code.
Why we show this: some players and servers avoid projects made with AI, and AI in the game can send what you write to an online service. Not in the grade: using AI does not tell whether a project works well or is kept up to date.
How we checked
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a substantial part of the code is AI output, when an asset is mainly AI output, or when the project or its page relies on generative AI.No AI content or AI features declared.
- Description and changelogsThe description, project page and newest changelogs: sentences saying an AI tool was used, and text pasted from an AI chat.Nothing found12 of 17 changelogs read
- Its filesFiles that AI coding tools leave behind (like AGENTS.md), and the texts inside the files you download.Nothing found
- Images in its filesHidden data in the images of the files you download, where AI image tools write their name and settings.Nothing found1 image read
- Code of the modThe code and files of the mod, read without running it: addresses of AI services, AI libraries, AI model files and a place for your own AI key.No AI service, AI library or AI model file
Compatibility
See all 17 filesPoint at or tap a version to see its loaders.
Modpacks using this project
Find modpacks with itModpacks that include Better Vanilla Mobs in at least one of their versions, most downloaded first.
Craft and Conquer1.1K downloadslast version with it 25 Nov 2025
Andy's Vanilla+ Modpack885 downloadslast version with it 5 Aug 2026
Solar Apocalypse Advanced488 downloadslast version with it 23 Jun 2026
Simply Better483 downloadslast version with it 29 Aug 2026
Everything Refined II352 downloadslast version with it 21 Sep 2026Unforgiving159 downloadslast version with it 3 May 2026Latest files
The newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The files for recent versions come first. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks.