HCIM (Hardcore Ironman)
by Gavin-TC
HCIM, a Fabric minigame, lets a player keep playing after a hardcore death by adding a second advancement tree that only opens once the character has died.
What it does
The data pack adds two new advancement trees. The first is completed before the player dies, and the second is completed only after a death. Death is no longer the end of the run: once a player dies, the character can respawn and continue, with the post-death tree as the only new path. The one caveat is that a player who wants the post-death tree must finish the pre-death tree first, so the two stages stay in order.
A collection log sits alongside the trees as a secondary goal, giving a long-term target for players who want the risk of hardcore without risking all of their progress. The server must run HCIM, while players may join without installing anything. Files are published for Fabric with the data pack option, and the author notes that more advancements and features are planned.
Key features
Post-death advancement tree
A second advancement tree becomes available only after the player has died, giving the run something to work toward.
Respawn after death
Death does not end the hardcore run; the character can respawn and carry on playing.
Ordered progression
The pre-death tree must be completed before the post-death tree can be reached.
Collection log
A collection log provides a secondary goal alongside the advancement trees.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Long hardcore runs
A player who wants to keep a hardcore world going after a death can continue through the post-death advancements.
Server progression
Server owners running hardcore survival can offer the extra trees and collection log as an additional goal.
Who it’s for: Players who enjoy hardcore survival and want a goal beyond the first death, and server owners who want to add a longer progression path to a hardcore world.
How it compares
Hardcore Slots is a Fabric mod for 1.21.1 that is not open source under the MIT License, and it runs on client and server. Hundred Lives covers 1.21 – 1.21.4 across Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, and it is server required with the client optional, under the MIT License and open source. Hardcore Ironman differs by adding its advancement trees as a data pack rather than a slot or lives mechanic.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCIM (Hardcore Ironman) | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.4 | Server required, client optional | 2025-03-13 |
| Hardcore Slots | Fabric | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-06-09 |
| Hundred Lives | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.21 – 1.21.4 | Server required, client optional | 2025-01-21 |
Questions
Does HCIM need to be installed on the client?
Why does the post-death tree need the pre-death tree first?
Which loader and versions does HCIM support?
In the catalog
HCIM (Hardcore Ironman) is one of 2,135 Minigame mods on ModsFinder, and one of 1,454 Minigame mods for Fabric. 17,979 mods support Minecraft 1.21.4.
Similar mods
What the author says
WARNING!: This datapack is not finished (and it shows!!!), but I do plan on adding more advancements/features.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/hcim
- Owner
- Gavin-TC
- Published
- 2025-03-07
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-03-13
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15