ModsFinder

Old Combat System

by bingst0n

Old Combat System restores the older combat rules for Fabric players and servers on 1.21.5 – 1.21.8, changing how axes, attack timing and sword blocking work.

FabricServer required, client optionalMIT License1.21.5 – 1.21.8

What it does

The mod brings back the older combat model, with axe damage, attack cooldown and sword blocking behaving as they did before the later update. Holding right click with the main hand lets a player block with a sword again. Shields keep their current behavior. Server owners who want the older feel install it on the server, while players can join without it. The author plans further tweaks, such as removing the sweep particle. Released under the MIT License, it is not open source. Builds cover 1.21.5 – 1.21.8 for Fabric.

Key features

  1. Older combat rules

    Combat returns to an earlier model, with its own rules for attacks and damage.

  2. Sword blocking

    Holding right click with the main hand lets a sword block, as it did before the later update.

  3. Shields unchanged

    Shields keep their current behavior, so only sword blocking follows the older model.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

1.21.81.0-1.21.5
1.21.71.0-1.21.5
1.21.61.0-1.21.5
1.21.51.0-1.21.5
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

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

How it compares

Full comparison

Shield to Sword Block is client-side only and targets 1.21.11, so it differs in version and environment: only the client needs it. New Sword Blocking covers the same range on Fabric and Quilt, is open source under the MIT License and is needed on the server, with the client optional. Old Shield Animation is client-side only and open source under the Apache License 2.0.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
Old Combat SystemFabric1.21.5 – 1.21.8Server required, client optional2025-08-13
Shield to Sword BlockFabric1.21.11Client-side only2026-03-26
New Sword BlockingFabric and Quilt1.21.5 – 1.21.8Server required, client optional2025-07-17
Old Shield AnimationFabric1.20.3 – 26.2Client-side only2026-06-11

Questions

Does Old Combat System need to be on the client?

No. It only has to run on the server, and players may leave it out.

What the author says

That's all right now! I plan to add more tweaks, like fully removing the sweep particle from the game. Have fun!
bingst0n, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
bingst0n
Published
2025-08-13
Updated on Modrinth
2025-08-13
Facts verified
2026-10-15
Open on ModrinthCompare