Side Effects
by codehz
Side Effects is a lightweight Fabric library for server-side mods that let unmodded clients join, built on abusing vanilla side effects.
What it does
Side Effects is a server-side library that other mods build on. It works by using side effects that vanilla already produces, so a server can present custom content to players without requiring any change on their side. Only custom fake entities are supported. The library is described as extremely lightweight, which is the reason its author chose it as a smaller alternative to a broader approach used by Polymer.
Installation needs Fabric API on the server. It runs on the server alone, so players need nothing extra to join. Side Effects is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only and is published for Fabric alone, with a single build for 1.18.2, 0.1.6, dated 2022-04-18 on the beta channel. Its source code, issue tracker and wiki are public, and an example usage with the library is included in the project.
Key features
Triggered game effects
The library triggers effects that vanilla gameplay already produces, so custom content appears without altering core game logic.
Fake entity content
Custom fake entities are the only kind of content the library supports, which keeps the feature set small.
Existing mod conversion
Existing mods can be adapted to run server-side, so their content reaches players who have no mod installed.
Minimal footprint
The library is kept deliberately small, as a lighter replacement for heavier approaches such as Polymer.
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 1
Required by 1 mod
How it compares
Polymer is a Fabric and Quilt library with a much wider version range, 1.18 – 26.3, and it is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, with the server required and the client optional. Side Effects covers only 1.18.2 and supports only fake entities, while Polymer covers more content types. Fake Explosion Lib is a server-required library for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt covering 1.20 – 1.21.4, released under All rights reserved and not open source. PolyMc-Extra is an open source server-side Fabric mod for 1.21.6 – 26.1.2 under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, so it targets a different version line.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side Effects | Fabric | 1.18.2 | Server-side only | 2022-04-18 |
| Polymer | Fabric and Quilt | 1.18 – 26.3 | Server required, client optional | 2026-10-11 |
| Fake Explosion Lib | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20 – 1.21.4 | Server required, client optional | 2024-12-12 |
| PolyMc-Extra | Fabric | 1.21.6 – 26.1.2 | Server-side only | 2026-05-23 |
Questions
Does Side Effects need Fabric API?
Do players need to install Side Effects?
Which Minecraft version does Side Effects support?
Which mod depends on Side Effects?
In the catalog
Side Effects is one of 3,514 Library mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,348 Library mods for Fabric. 9,044 mods support Minecraft 1.18.2.
More from codehz
Similar mods
What the author says
Side Effects ======== A extremely lightweight library for creating server-side mod that works for unmodded clients! Currently, only custom(fake) entity is supported.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/side-effects
- Owner
- codehz
- Published
- 2022-04-18
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2022-04-18
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15