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    2,054,198 files checkedFiles from Modrinth and CurseForge we downloaded and checked. Counted on 25 Oct 2026.636,163 files with their code readFiles whose code we turned back into readable code and read, in an isolated environment. Counted on 25 Oct 2026.269,438 projects gradedProjects with a letter from A to F. Counted on 25 Oct 2026.
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    © 2026 ModgradeNot an official Minecraft product. Not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.

    The Better Default

    Shader

    Modern lighting and soft shadows that keep your world feeling familiar.

    C75/ 100
    • OverviewC
    • SecurityPassed
    • PrivacyNothing sent
    • AINone found
    • CompatibilityUp to 26.3
    • ModpacksIn 9
    • ReleasesLatest Dec 2025

    Download

    The Better Default.zip

    Released 20 Dec 2025 · 20.1 KB

    Passed: our checks found nothing harmful in this file.

    Download

    Required to run

    • Iris ShadersAMinecraft 26.3 · Fabric (release 1.11.7)
    • SodiumNeeded by Iris ShadersAMinecraft 26.3 · Fabric (release 0.9.2)
    OverviewSecurityPrivacyAICompatibilityModpacksReleases

    Why grade C

    How grades work

    Strengths

    • Stable releases

    Points lost

    • First release only 10 months ago−5 points
    • Releases in only 1 of the last 24 months−4 points
    • No place to report problems−3 points
    • Under 5 million downloads−1 point
    All 10 criteria

    • Maintenance

      4 points lost23 / 27
      Last releaseHow long ago the newest file came out, or an existing file was marked as working on a new Minecraft version.The author marked an existing file as working on Minecraft 26.3, which came out on 15 Sep 2026 12 / 12
      Supports 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.26.3 (latest) 9 / 9
      Regular releasesIn how many of the last 24 months a new file came out. Full points at 3 months.Releases in 1 of the last 24 months 2 / 6

    • Stability

      Full points10 / 10
      Removed 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.1 of the 5 modpacks with two or more versions removed it in a later one (20%) 5 / 5
      Quick fixesHow often a release needed a quick fix: a new release within 3 days to fix a problem in it.Not measured yet.
      Known 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 / 5

    • Transparency

      3 points lost0 / 3
      Source codeWhether the project page links to its source code, so anyone can read what it does.Does not apply. A shader's files can be read in the download.
      Place to report problemsWhether the project page links to a place where players can report problems: an issue tracker or a Discord server.No link to report problems 0 / 3

    • Popularity

      1 point lost3 / 4
      DownloadsDownloads on Modrinth and CurseForge. Full points from 5 million.48,338 3 / 4

    • Track record

      5 points lost3 / 8
      AgeHow long the project has existed. It counts less when no new file came out recently.10 months, 1 release 3 / 8
    Total75 / 100

    39.2 of the 52 points that apply = 75 out of 100. The points above are rounded to whole numbers.

    Images

    • Torches

    About

    The Better Default is a lightweight shaderpack that preserves Minecraft’s vanilla look while adding modern lighting, shadows, and atmosphere. Handheld torches illuminate nearby areas, soul lanterns cast blue light, and redstone gives off red light. Water appears blue and reflective, while soft bloom, godrays, and waving foliage add further atmospheric effects. The shaderpack is optimized for performance and requires Iris and Sodium.

    Written from Modrinth and the GitHub README . How we write it

    In-game changes

    Changes how the game looks: 8 shader programs, the dimensions are not stated in the pack. Draws its own shadows and water.

    Details

    Creator
    Gr1mly4Memes
    License
    MIT License
    Downloads
    49K
    Created
    20 Dec 2025
    Official page
    Modrinth
    Links
    Source code

    Security

    No harmful code found

    We checked what is inside its files, without opening them in the game.

    Why we show this: a shader cannot run programs, but its file can hide one. Our checks look for known signs of harm. They cannot prove that a file is harmless. In the grade: malware means no grade.

    How we checked · The latest file checked, last on 16 Oct 2026
    • 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.
      1 latest file, for a recent version. 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
    • 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.

    Privacy

    Sends nothing

    A shader has no code that can connect to the internet, so it cannot send anything about you.

    AI

    No sign so far that AI was used to make it

    We looked for AI tools in its texts, files and images and found none.

    We have not read its code history yet.

    Why we show this: some players and servers avoid projects made with AI. Not in the grade: using AI does not tell whether a project works well or is kept up to date.

    How we checked · 4 places read
    • 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 declared.
    • Code historyThe public code on GitHub: who made each change, credit lines such as "Co-authored-by", and its files.
      Not read yet
    • Description and changelogsThe description, project page and newest changelogs: sentences saying an AI tool was used, and text pasted from an AI chat.
      Nothing found
      1 changelog 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 found

    Compatibility

    See the file in Releases
    Minecraft
    1.2126.126.2

    Point at or tap a version to see it.

    Runs onWhere to install it: in your game, on the server, or both. As the author says on Modrinth.Install it in your game only. Servers do not need it, so you can join any server.
    RequiresProjects you must also install for it to work. From the author's lists for its files for recent Minecraft versions, or from its project page.
    Iris ShadersA
    OptionalProjects it can work with but does not need. The author lists them.Nothing
    IncludesProjects packed inside its files.Nothing
    Speed of updatesHow fast it gets a file for new Minecraft versions, on average, compared with similar projects. Not part of the grade.Faster than most shaders. On average, it gets a file the same day a new Minecraft version comes out. Measured on the last 3 Minecraft versions.

    Modpacks using this project

    Modpacks that include The Better Default in at least one of their versions, most downloaded first.

    ModpackDownloadsLast version with it
    Chronicles: Tharidia2.8K downloadslast version with it 7 Apr 2026Kart's Chaotic Kit1.5K downloadslast version with it 22 Jul 2026vilmiComfort763 downloadslast version with it 12 Oct 2026BOSS KIT747 downloadslast version with it 21 Jun 2026Fluidity492 downloadslast version with it 11 Jun 2026KION | Vanilla Modpack386 downloadslast version with it 1 Oct 2026AkrPack168 downloadslast version with it 16 Jul 2026Flame’s Vanilla+ Modpack102 downloadslast version with it 9 Mar 2026The Adventurization Pack65 downloadslast version with it 31 May 2026

    Latest 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.

    MinecraftVersionSecurityRequires
    1.21.5 to 26.311 · The Better Default.zipRequires:NothingPassedOur checks found nothing harmful in this file.

    1 release

    MinecraftVersionReleasedSecurityGet it onDownload
    1.21.5 to 26.31.21.5 to 26.3The latest file for its Minecraft version and loader11 · The Better Default.zip (main file)·20 Dec 2025PassedOur checks found nothing harmful in this file.Open this file on ModrinthDownload · Stable · 20.1 KB