Help with Forge Tags in Datapacks: A Beginner's Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

Datapacks have revolutionized the way Minecraft players customize their game. From tweaking crafting recipes to overhauling world generation, datapacks provide a powerful and versatile toolkit for modding without requiring actual code modification. A critical element in leveraging the full potential of datapacks is understanding how to utilize Forge tags effectively. Forge tags are essential for organizing, identifying, and interacting with various game elements like items, blocks, and entities within the Minecraft environment. Mastering their use empowers players to build more complex, compatible, and engaging custom experiences.

Forge tags are essentially identifiers—labels that group items, blocks, or other game entities together based on shared characteristics or purposes. Imagine them as virtual containers for related items. Instead of specifying individual items in every recipe or condition, you can simply refer to the appropriate tag. This vastly simplifies the process of creating and managing custom content and provides superior flexibility for modifications.

The advantages of utilizing these tags are numerous. They significantly boost mod compatibility. By relying on these standard tags, your datapack can seamlessly interact with other mods that also use them, ensuring that items, blocks, or other features from these mods behave as expected within your custom system. Moreover, tags streamline crafting recipe definition; defining a recipe that can use any item from a specific category becomes incredibly simple. Conditional logic is also significantly improved: you can create advancements, loot tables, or other features that respond to a broader category of items or blocks rather than requiring specific elements.

This guide aims to demystify Forge tags and offer a clear and concise roadmap for utilizing them within your datapacks. We’ll explore the foundational concepts, step-by-step instructions, and practical examples to equip you with the knowledge to create sophisticated and integrated custom content within your Minecraft world. Get ready to unlock a whole new level of customization.

Understanding the Basics of Forge Tags

Let’s delve deeper into the heart of Forge tags. They are more than just simple labels; they are a fundamental component of the Minecraft game’s internal organization, providing a robust way to manage and interact with the vast array of in-game elements.

At their core, tags are identifiers applied to resources. Each tag defines a category based on shared properties. Items, blocks, or entity types can be included in these tags. For example, a tag for “wooden planks” could include oak planks, spruce planks, birch planks, and other wood variations. When you use a tag, you are effectively referencing all the elements within that category, rather than listing each individual element every time.

Remember, tags are designed to be universally accessible across mods and datapacks. Unlike mods that create their own specific items, blocks, or entities, tags are a cross-mod communication tool. This design decision is critical for the overall ecosystem and offers significant benefits in creating mods and custom content that work together.

The architecture is defined by the way the tags are stored in datapacks. They are held in simple JSON files. Understanding the file structure is essential to creating your own tags and using them in your modifications. The location of each tag file must follow a specific directory path, as shown below.

The file structure is: `data/[namespace]/tags/[type]/[tag_name].json`

Let’s dissect each part of the directory.

`[namespace]`: This is the identifier for your datapack, providing a unique name. Typically, this will be the mod ID or the name of your custom pack. In the case of Minecraft itself, this namespace is `minecraft`. For Forge’s built-in tags, the namespace is `forge`. When creating your own custom tags, use your own unique namespace.
`[type]`: This defines the type of content the tag applies to. Common tag types include:
- `items`: For items
- `blocks`: For blocks
- `entity_types`: For entities
- `fluids`: For fluids.
There are also other tag types; for item conditions, the type is `item_conditions`. The specific types used depend on the game element the tag is associating with.
`[tag_name]`: This is the name you give to the tag, which serves as the reference point for usage within your datapack and other mods. This should be a descriptive and concise name that reflects the purpose of the tag. It’s common to include the category in the name. For example, `forge:ores/iron` or `yourmodid:tools/axes`.

The content of the `.json` file is equally important. The primary key, `values`, contains a list of the specific resource locations (items, blocks, etc.) that the tag encompasses.

A simplified `.json` file looks like:

{
  "replace": false,
  "values": [
    "minecraft:stone",
    "minecraft:dirt"
  ]
}

`replace`: This is a boolean flag that decides how the contents of the current tag file should be applied. If `replace` is `false` (the default), the values defined in the file will be *added* to any existing values for the tag. This allows for multiple datapacks or mods to contribute to the same tag, creating a combined tag set. If `replace` is `true`, the values in the file completely replace any previous entries in the tag.
`values`: This is an array of resource locations, which are the actual items, blocks, or other elements associated with the tag. Each entry in the values array is a resource location formatted as `[namespace]:[path]`—for instance, `minecraft:stone`, `minecraft:oak_log`, or `minecraft:pig`.

Understanding these fundamentals—file paths, the `replace` flag, and the structure of the `values` array—will establish the foundation for you to successfully create and deploy Forge tags.

Before creating your own tags, it’s highly recommended to examine existing ones to understand how they work. Look at the `forge/tags` folder inside the Minecraft game files, and consider examining the tags defined by popular mods.

Creating Forge Tags

Now that you’ve grasped the fundamental principles of Forge tags, it’s time to create your own.

The initial step is to structure your datapack. A functional datapack requires a `pack.mcmeta` file and a `data` directory. The `pack.mcmeta` file has information about the datapack and its version. The `data` directory holds the content of your datapack, organized into folders representing namespaces, tag types, and resource names.

Your chosen namespace is a vital component. It’s the unique identifier that distinguishes your tags from other mods and Minecraft’s default content. This should be the name of your mod or a distinctive identifier for your custom content. You are also free to use other conventions to organize your content. For instance, you can create different sections with names that help distinguish different tags from each other.

If you’re creating tags for a mod with Forge, be mindful of the naming convention you are using for the `forge` namespace. Using prefixes or suffixes will help avoid potential issues with naming conflicts, maintaining clarity, and ensuring compatibility.

Now, let’s proceed to the actual creation of tag files.

We’ll provide examples for the major types:

**Item Tags:**
Let’s say you want to create a tag for “my cool items”. This is how you’d structure the files in your datapack and what the contents would look like.
File Location: `data/yourmodid/tags/items/my_cool_items.json`
File Content:
```
        {
          "replace": false,
          "values": [
            "minecraft:diamond",
            "minecraft:emerald"
          ]
        }
        
```
This tag now groups diamonds and emeralds together.

**Block Tags:**

File Location: `data/yourmodid/tags/blocks/my_wooden_blocks.json`

File Content:

        {
          "replace": false,
          "values": [
            "minecraft:oak_log",
            "minecraft:birch_planks"
          ]
        }

This example puts oak logs and birch planks in a `my_wooden_blocks` tag.

**Entity Type Tags:**

File Location: `data/yourmodid/tags/entity_types/friendly_mobs.json`

File Content:

        {
          "replace": false,
          "values": [
            "minecraft:pig",
            "minecraft:sheep"
          ]
        }

This tag example includes pigs and sheep.

Note that each element inside `values` uses the resource location format, including the namespace and the path.

You can also include other tags as elements within the values.

{
  "replace": false,
  "values": [
    "#minecraft:is_planks",
    "#forge:ores/iron"
  ]
}

The `#` symbol references the tag, and the value will include everything from `minecraft:is_planks` and `forge:ores/iron`.

Once you have created your tags, testing them is necessary. The simplest ways to do so are:

Use the tags in crafting recipes.
Use them in advancements.
Use them in function executions.

We will demonstrate this in the next section.

Using Forge Tags in Datapack Features

The true power of Forge tags comes alive when you start integrating them into your datapack’s core features. They enable advanced customization and make your content more versatile and user-friendly.

Let’s begin with crafting recipes. Imagine creating a recipe that requires any wooden plank. Instead of defining the individual plank types (oak, spruce, birch, etc.), you can use a tag.

**Crafting Recipes:**

Here’s an example of a crafting recipe using a tag:

File Location: `data/yourmodid/recipes/my_custom_recipe.json`

File Content:

        {
          "type": "minecraft:crafting_shaped",
          "pattern": [
            "###",
            "###",
            "###"
          ],
          "key": {
            "#": {
              "tag": "minecraft:logs"
            }
          },
          "result": {
            "item": "minecraft:stick",
            "count": 3
          }
        }

In this recipe, the `#` symbol in the `pattern` references the tag `minecraft:logs`. This means the recipe will accept *any* log included in this tag as the ingredient.

**Advancements:**

Tags also work well in advancements. You can trigger an advancement when the player breaks a block with a specific tag.

File Location: `data/yourmodid/advancements/my_custom_advancement.json`

File Content:

        {
          "criteria": {
            "break_block": {
              "trigger": "minecraft:item_used_on_block",
              "conditions": {
                "location": {
                  "block": {
                    "tag": "minecraft:is_planks"
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          },
          "rewards": {
            "function": "yourmodid:give_reward"
          }
        }

In this advancement example, the `break_block` criterion uses the tag `minecraft:is_planks` as a condition. The advancement will trigger when the player breaks a block included in this tag.

**Loot Tables:**

Tags can also be used in loot tables to determine what drops from a block or entity.

For example:

        {
          "pools": [
            {
              "rolls": 1,
              "entries": [
                {
                  "type": "minecraft:item",
                  "name": "minecraft:iron_axe",
                  "functions": [
                    {
                      "function": "minecraft:set_count",
                      "count": 1
                    }
                  ],
                  "conditions": [
                    {
                      "condition": "minecraft:match_tool",
                      "predicate": {
                        "tag": "forge:tools/axes"
                      }
                    }
                  ]
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }

**Functions and Commands:**
Tags can also work inside the command and function structures. The command `/execute if block` can be used to check the tag.
Example:
```
        execute if block ~ ~ ~ #minecraft:is_planks run say Wooden plank detected
        
```
Alternatively, the `/give` command can be used with tags.
Example:
```
        give @s #yourmodid:my_cool_items 1
        
```
The above command gives the player any item in the tag “`yourmodid:my_cool_items`”.
**Item Conditions:**
Item conditions are a valuable feature, especially in recent Minecraft versions (1.19 and later). They are used to create conditions that determine if an item should be granted or modified. You can utilize tags in item conditions.
Example:
```
        {
          "condition": "minecraft:match_tool",
          "predicate": {
            "tag": "forge:tools/axes"
          }
        }
        
```
In this example, the item condition checks if the item being used is a tool that is also part of the tag `forge:tools/axes`.

By integrating Forge tags into these areas, you can create dynamic and responsive gameplay experiences. Remember to test each implementation thoroughly to ensure it functions as you intend.

Best Practices and Advanced Topics

To get the most out of your Forge tags and create efficient and compatible custom content, adopt the best practices discussed below.

A well-defined naming convention is essential. Consistent and descriptive naming for your tags is critical for clarity, organization, and maintainability. Consider including the category in the name (e.g., `yourmodid:ores/copper` instead of just `copper_ores`). Stick to established naming conventions wherever possible. For example, forge tags generally follow the format. `forge:category/name`. To prevent tag naming conflicts, always include your mod ID or custom identifier as a prefix to distinguish your tags from others.

Organizing tags is another crucial practice. Consider using a tag hierarchy to further organize the content. For instance, you might create a tag, such as `forge:ores`, and then define more specific tags within it, such as `forge:ores/copper`, `forge:ores/iron`, and so on.

Remember, you should always prioritize compatibility with other mods. Using Forge tags can enhance your datapack’s interoperability with other mods, expanding the possibilities for combining various modifications.

Troubleshooting can arise, and there may be errors. A common issue is incorrect file paths, syntax errors in your `.json` files, or case-sensitivity problems. Always review your file structure and content carefully. Minecraft logs and the console will provide insights into the errors. Ensure you are properly reloading the datapack by typing `/reload` in the Minecraft chat after modifying your datapack files.

If you want to go beyond the basics, there are a few more advanced topics to explore.

*Tag Merging and Overrides:*
Using the `replace: true` property, you can fully replace the contents of a tag, allowing for controlled overrides or modifications of existing tag definitions.
*Conditional Tag Application:*
You can set conditional statements to control the use of tags in advanced contexts.
*Using Tags in Other Features:*
The use of tags can be extended to other Minecraft functionality, such as custom sound events or custom advancements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Forge tags are a vital tool for any Minecraft player seeking to customize their game. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of the essential aspects of these tags. You now have the knowledge to create, utilize, and fully integrate Forge tags within your datapacks.

Tags simplify crafting recipes, enhance mod compatibility, and offer countless opportunities for customizing your world.

Experiment with different tag types. Explore their application in crafting recipes, advancements, and loot tables. By putting these techniques into practice, you will have the power to create a truly custom and immersive Minecraft experience.

Here are some helpful resources to further your knowledge:

The Forge documentation offers in-depth explanations and examples.
Minecraft modding communities can provide valuable insights and solutions.

Always test your datapacks thoroughly after making changes. If you have any questions or need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to ask. Share your custom creations with the community and continue exploring the limitless possibilities of Minecraft datapacks.

Help with Forge Tags in Datapacks: A Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

Understanding the Basics of Forge Tags

Creating Forge Tags

Using Forge Tags in Datapack Features

Best Practices and Advanced Topics

Conclusion

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply