Axe and Sword Switcher
Axe and Sword Switcher is a Fabric client mod that swaps between an axe and a sword during PvP, depending on whether the opponent is holding a shield.
What it does
The mod watches the opponent during combat. When the opponent is using a shield, the axe is selected, since axes can break a shield. When the opponent is not blocking, the sword is selected instead. The switch happens instantly, so the player keeps attacking without opening the hotbar by hand.
On-screen status messages show which weapon was chosen, so the player can confirm the switch while fighting. The mod runs only on the client, so a server does not need it and players join without installing it. It is published for Fabric and 1.21.1 only, under the MIT License, and the code is not open source.
The mod targets 1.21.1 with a single Fabric build, 1.0.0, released on 2025-10-15. Other mods in the Equipment category handle tool choice in different ways, including the alternatives listed below.
Key features
Axe against shields
When the opponent raises a shield, the axe is equipped automatically to get past the block.
Sword against open targets
When the opponent is not using a shield, the sword is equipped so attacks follow the usual damage pattern.
Instant weapon switching
The swap happens immediately on detection, keeping the pace of combat without manual hotbar selection.
On-screen status messages
Short messages on screen report which weapon the mod has selected, so the player sees each change.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
PvP combat
Players fighting other players can keep the correct weapon out without managing the hotbar during a fight.
Who it’s for: The mod suits players who fight other players on servers, where the opponent's shield use changes which weapon is most effective. Because it is client-side only, it can be used on any server without asking the server owner to install it.
How it compares
Totem and Shield Switcher is a Fabric client mod for 1.19.4 – 1.21.8 under All rights reserved, and it is not open source. Smart Tool Switcher is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.4 – 26.1.2 under the MIT License, and it is not open source. Shield to Sword Block is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.11 only under the MIT License, and it is not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axe and Sword Switcher | Fabric | 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2025-10-15 |
| Totem and Shield Switcher | Fabric | 1.19.4 – 1.21.8 | Client-side only | 2025-08-02 |
| Smart Tool Switcher | Fabric | 1.21.4 – 26.1.2 | Client-side only | 2026-05-03 |
| Shield to Sword Block | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-03-26 |
Questions
Does Axe and Sword Switcher need Fabric API?
Does the server need the mod?
Which game version does the mod support?
In the catalog
Axe and Sword Switcher is one of 17,631 Equipment mods on ModsFinder, and one of 8,894 Equipment mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
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What the author says
Auto Tool Switch is a client-side Minecraft mod that automatically switches between sword and axe during PvP combat based on whether the opponent is using a shield.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/axe-and-sword-switcher
- Owner
- scraperdev.bd
- Published
- 2025-10-15
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-10-15
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15