Message Arrows
by Phiphi
Message Arrows gives arrows and tridents the name of the player who shot them, so a shot can be traced in a fight or on a server.
What it does
Arrows and tridents take the custom name set on a nametag, and the name shows above the projectile while it is in flight. Projectiles fired by dispensers are renamed the same way, so a trap or turret can be identified after it has fired. The name is taken from the item's custom name component, and the item type itself is not checked, so the rule applies to any arrow or trident carrying that component.
The nametag text appears on the arrow or trident in the screen where the player is looking at it, the same way player nametags are shown. Colored names are kept as they are written. Only the server has to run Message Arrows, while players may leave it out and still see the renamed projectiles.
Installation needs Fabric API on Fabric. The mod is published for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, as well as a data pack, with files covering 1.20.5 – 1.21.1 under the MIT License. It is not open source.
Key features
Renamed projectiles
Arrows and tridents carrying a custom name keep that name while they fly through the world.
Dispenser arrows
Arrows shot from dispensers are renamed as well, which marks automated traps and turrets.
Colored names
Names written with color codes stay colored on the projectile, matching the nametag.
Component-based naming
The name is read from the item's custom name component, so items with that component are affected.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Tracing shots on a server
Server owners can see which player fired an arrow or trident, which helps settle disputes in shared worlds.
Marking automated defenses
Dispensers that fire arrows can be given a named projectile, so a trap is simple to tell apart from a player attack.
Who it’s for: Server owners who want to know who fired a projectile, and builders who label dispenser traps or turrets with arrows carrying a name.
How it compares
Craftable Nametag adds a way to craft nametags, with files for 1.20.5 – 1.21.11 and All rights reserved licensing; it is not open source, and it is needed on the server, with the client optional. Arrow Bundles is a different kind of addition, a bundle for arrows, with files for 1.20.1 – 1.21.5 under the MIT License, supporting Fabric, Forge and Quilt only, not NeoForge. Message Arrows covers 1.20.5 – 1.21.1 on all four loaders.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Message Arrows | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20.5 – 1.21.1 | Server required, client optional | 2024-09-15 |
| Craftable Nametag | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20.5 – 1.21.11 | Server required, client optional | 2025-12-12 |
| Arrow Bundles | Fabric, Forge and Quilt | 1.20.1 – 1.21.5 | Server required, client optional | 2024-01-03 |
Questions
Does Message Arrows need Fabric API on Fabric?
Does a client need Message Arrows to see the names?
Which versions are covered?
In the catalog
Message Arrows is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
Similar mods
What the author says
Message Arrows puts nametags on renamed arrows and tridents.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/message-arrows
- Owner
- Phiphi
- Published
- 2024-06-09
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2024-09-15
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15