Pact Magic
by tickbug
Pact Magic is a large, loosely bounded magic mod for Forge on 1.20.1, drawing its ideas from online serial fiction and fan readings of existing fictional works.
What it does
Pact Magic is built around a single book that a player crafts to get started, and the mod is meant to be extended over time. Complete integration depends on a data pack that supplies custom recipes, and the mod can introduce items like item spirits, creature bindings and transfusion recipes. Custom features are added through JSON files in a dedicated practice folder, and the Pact Magic Modding Guide covers the datapacks and addons that extend it.
Pact Magic runs on client and server, so the server and every player need it. It is published for Forge only, for Minecraft 1.20.1, with 1.3.12 as the latest file. The source code and issue tracker are public, and the code is released under the MIT License. Five dependencies are required: Caelus API, Curios API, Geckolib, Patchouli and Pehkui. Just Enough Items is optional.
Key features
Open-ended magic system
The mod offers magic that the player shapes through the book and the practice folder, rather than a fixed set of spells.
Mob bindings and transfusion
Item spirits, mob bindings and transfusion recipes let players tie creatures and items into their magic.
Familiar perks
Custom familiar perks depend on the Familiars, Implements and Demesnes mod, which exposes a Forge capability on the player.
Pre-built compatibility
Pact Magic ships with compatibility for several other mods, so some content works without extra setup.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 5
Optional 1
Use cases
Data pack addons
Authors can write recipes and content as JSON and data packs, using the modding guide as a reference.
Boss encounters
Compatibility content binds challenge and reward to large bosses from the Cataclysm mod.
Who it’s for: Players who enjoy open-ended magic and server owners who want a magic progression that data pack authors can extend.
How it compares
Create: Alex's Caves Compat is open source under the MIT License and runs on Forge 1.20.1 on client and server. Eldritch Pacts is also Forge 1.20.1 on client and server, but its license is All rights reserved, so it is not open source. Dawn Era Biome Mod Compat is likewise Forge 1.20.1 on client and server under All rights reserved.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pact Magic | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2026-10-12 |
| Create: Alex's Caves Compat | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2026-08-15 |
| Eldritch Pacts | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2025-01-28 |
| Dawn Era Biome Mod Compat | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2025-05-05 |
Questions
Which dependencies does Pact Magic require?
Does Pact Magic have to be installed on the server?
Where can the content be extended?
In the catalog
Pact Magic is one of 7,216 Magic mods on ModsFinder, and one of 3,927 Magic mods for Forge. 34,764 mods support Minecraft 1.20.1.
Similar mods
What the author says
Pact Magic is an expansive open-ended magic mod inspired by the web serials Pact and Pale by wildbow. All you need to do to get started is craft a single book: Essentials.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/pact-magic
- Owner
- tickbug
- Published
- 2026-07-11
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-10-12
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15