Hard++
by megahdrive
Hard++ raises the difficulty of a survival world on the server by changing how mobs, falls, explosions and fire deal damage, and by turning off firework boosts for elytra.
What it does
Hard++ is a Fabric mod for Minecraft 26.2 that changes combat and survival balance. Most mobs have twice their normal health, and passive healing returns slowly over time, in the way the master mode of Breath of the Wild does. Zombies move faster than usual and creepers move faster too, so encounters with undead and creepers come on sooner and hit harder. Fire damage, explosion damage and fall damage are each doubled.
Elytra flight loses firework boosts while the mod is active, so players cover ground by gliding alone. The changes are set in a JSON configuration file, which a server owner edits to tune each rule. Clients that install Cloth Config and ModMenu get an in-game settings screen for the same options. The author notes that more difficulty features are planned, but none are listed in the release.
Hard++ needs to run on the server, while a player's client may leave it out. It is released under the MIT License and is open source, with the source code published. Files exist only for Fabric, with a single build, 1.0.1, for 26.2, published on 2026-09-06 after a first release on 2026-09-02.
Key features
Doubled mob health
Most mobs start with twice their usual health, so each fight takes longer and asks more of the player.
Faster zombies and creepers
Zombies and creepers both move faster than normal, shortening the time a player has to react.
Doubled damage sources
Fire, explosion and fall damage are each multiplied by two, making hazards and mistakes costlier.
Slow passive healing
Health regenerates passively over time, following the master mode pattern of Breath of the Wild rather than fast regeneration.
Elytra firework boosts disabled
Firework rockets no longer boost a gliding elytra, so flight relies on the glide and the player's own momentum.
JSON configuration with optional settings screen
Each rule is set in a JSON file on the server, and clients with Cloth Config and ModMenu can adjust the same options in game.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
How it compares
Slow Mine is server-side only, licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 or later, is open source, and covers 26.1.2 – 26.2, changing block breaking rather than combat. Creeper Head Explosion is server required with client optional, under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, is not open source, and covers 26.2 – 26.3, targeting creeper drops. Firework Fixed is client-side only under the MIT License, is not open source, and covers 1.19 – 1.21.5, adjusting firework behavior on the client alone.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard++ | Fabric | 26.2 | Server required, client optional | 2026-09-06 |
| Slow Mine | Fabric | 26.1.2 – 26.2 | Server-side only | 2026-07-09 |
| Creeper Head Explosion | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 26.2 – 26.3 | Server required, client optional | 2026-10-11 |
| Firework Fixed | Fabric | 1.19 – 1.21.5 | Client-side only | 2026-09-07 |
Questions
Does Hard++ need to be installed on every player's client?
Which loader and game version does Hard++ support?
Where are the difficulty settings changed?
In the catalog
Hard++ is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 19,630 Game mechanics mods for Fabric. 13,894 mods support Minecraft 26.2.
Similar mods
What the author says
Every feature here, however, is fully configurable via the JSON file or, on clients, full Cloth Config + ModMenu support. And more are coming in the future!
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/hardplusplus
- Owner
- megahdrive
- Published
- 2026-09-02
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-06
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15