ModsFinder

Mob Variants

by Xires87

Players who want tougher hostile mobs can add Mob Variants, which converts some vanilla zombies, skeletons, spiders and creepers into stronger variants during spawning.

FabricClient and serverMIT LicenseOpen source1.20 – 1.21.1

What it does

Mob Variants leaves the vanilla spawn system in place and changes which mob appears, rather than adding new spawns on top. Conversion rules are data driven since version 6.6.0, so a pack maker can define which mob replaces which. Already spawned vanilla mobs stay as they are. The chance of a conversion grows with depth, and by default variants appear below Y level 26.

Each variant changes its base mob. Armored Spiders have more health and armor, a knockback resistance and arrow deflection without piercing. Undead skeletons may carry a stone sword and shoot arrows that apply weakness, blindness or instant damage. Forgotten zombies carry extra armor and can apply mining fatigue. Cave Creepers explode quickly and set fire. Biome variants include Tropical Spiders in jungles, Explorers that climb walls, and zombies in snowy biomes that apply slowness.

The mod requires Fabric, Cloth Config API and Sinytra Connector. Every player and the server need a copy of the mod. Files are published for Fabric only, for 9 release versions, 1.20 – 1.21.1, and the latest file is 6.6.0+1.21 for 1.21.1, released 2026-08-20. The code is open source under the MIT License.

Key features

  1. Converted spawns

    Vanilla zombies, skeletons, spiders and creepers have a chance to spawn as a stronger variant instead.

  2. Depth-based chance

    Conversion odds rise deeper underground, and the default setting limits variants to below Y level 26.

  3. Biome variants

    Mobs spawning in specific biomes, such as jungles, swamps and snowy areas, can convert to biome variants.

  4. Data driven rules

    Since version 6.6.0, conversion rules are defined in data, so existing mob replacements can be changed or extended.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

1.21.x2 of 2 versions with builds
1.21.16.6.0+1.21
1.216.6.0+1.21
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.20.65.5.4+1.20.5
1.20.55.5.4+1.20.5
1.20.44.5.4+1.20
1.20.34.5.4+1.20
1.20.24.5.4+1.20
1.20.14.5.4+1.20
1.204.5.4+1.20
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Requirements

Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.

Required 1

Cloth Config APIConfiguration Library for Minecraft Mods
Required

How it compares

Full comparison

Zombie Villager Variants and Jungle Zombies are both Fabric mods for 1.21 – 1.21.10, run on client and server, and are not open source under All rights reserved. Stronger Mobs is a server-side only Fabric mod for 1.20 – 1.21.10 released under the MIT License, so clients need nothing installed. Hostile Climbers is also server-side only and open source under the MIT License, but it is for 1.20.1 – 1.21.1.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
Mob VariantsFabric1.20 – 1.21.1Client and server2026-08-20
Zombie Villager VariantsFabric1.21 – 1.21.10Client and server2025-12-30
Jungle ZombiesFabric1.21 – 1.21.10Client and server2025-12-02
Stronger MobsFabric1.20 – 1.21.10Server-side only2025-11-22
Hostile ClimbersFabric1.20.1 – 1.21.1Server-side only2026-02-18

Questions

Does Mob Variants need Sinytra Connector?

Yes. It requires Cloth Config API. All three must be installed for the mod to run.

Must Mob Variants be installed on the server?

Yes. Servers that run it need every player to install it too.

Are vanilla mobs already in the world changed?

No. Mobs that have already spawned keep their vanilla form. Only new spawns can be converted into variants.

In the catalog

Mob Variants is one of 11,058 Mobs mods on ModsFinder, and one of 5,189 Mobs mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.

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What the author says

To keep vanilla spawn system possibly untouched, instead of simply spawning mobs, this mod attempts to replace already spawned vanilla mobs. Since 6.6.0 the system is data driven, so you can create your own mob conversion rules or replace existing ones. When mob spawns, there is a chance that it will be converted…
Xires87, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
Xires87
Published
2024-10-04
Updated on Modrinth
2026-08-20
Facts verified
2026-10-15

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