Auto Defend
by Radi
Auto Defend lets entities block incoming attacks by spending a new stamina resource, and its rules are set through a configurable system.
What it does
By default, only players can auto defend. When a player is hit by a qualifying attack from the front, the mod can cancel the damage instead of losing health, drawing on a stamina pool that starts at 20. Stamina naturally regenerates once enough time has passed since the last hit, and players cannot regenerate it while their hunger is below half.
The config controls which entity types can auto defend, with ranged mobs and large mobs excluded by an entity type tag, and it sets the defend angle, the damage types that count, and the conditions that apply. Explosions and sonic booms are included by default, and projectiles and environmental damage are covered by a separate undefendable tag. Entities with a defend chance attribute below the maximum can fail randomly, while the default setting means players never lose health to chance.
Auto Defend is client and server, so both the server and every player need it. It is released under the MIT License and is open source, with the source code and issue tracker public. The only build is for 1.21.1 on NeoForge.
Key features
Stamina resource
Entities gain a stamina pool, with a default of 20, that the max stamina attribute can change.
Angle-based defense
An attack must come within a set angle of the entity's facing for the auto defend to apply.
Overbreak
A hit that is large enough, measured against current maximum stamina, overbreaks the defender and makes it take the full attack.
Configurable entities and damage
Entity and damage type tags, defend chance and overbreak conditions can all be changed in the config.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players and server owners who want a stamina-based defense system for hits, with settings for entities, damage types and chance.
How it compares
Reddy's Rushed Stamina Mod is NeoForge only for 1.21.1, is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only and is not open source. Immersive Stamina is Forge and NeoForge for 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 and is open source under the MIT License. Shield & Parry is NeoForge only for 1.21.1 – 26.1.2, released under All rights reserved and not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Defend | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-08-19 |
| Reddy's Rushed Stamina Mod | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2025-06-28 |
| Immersive Stamina | Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-08-07 |
| Shield & Parry | NeoForge | 1.21.1 – 26.1.2 | Client and server | 2026-09-24 |
Questions
Does Auto Defend have to be installed on both sides?
Can players lose health to a random failed defend?
Which game versions does Auto Defend support?
In the catalog
Auto Defend is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 12,140 Game mechanics mods for NeoForge. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from Radi
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What the author says
Auto Defend gives entities a new resource: Stamina, which is by default 20 for all entities but can be changed with the max_stamina attribute. Instead of losing health, hit entities will automatically parry or dodge attacks, redirecting any damage taken to their stamina instead. The conditions to accomplish auto…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/auto-defend
- Owner
- Radi
- Published
- 2026-08-19
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-08-19
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15