Smart Absorption
by huaijiujing
Smart Absorption changes how the absorption effect spends golden hearts, so damage consumes the golden hearts from each source in a defined order.
What it does
Absorption is the vanilla status effect that grants golden hearts. In the base game, a status effect that runs out can leave golden hearts from other sources behind, and the order in which hearts are consumed is not always sensible. Smart Absorption separates golden hearts by source, tracks them individually, and prioritizes consuming the golden hearts from status effects when the player takes damage. Its author describes the changes as non-intrusive, and states the fix addresses a problem that is mainly noticeable in critical or RPG-style modpacks where golden hearts matter.
Installation requires Fabric API. The mod is server-side only, so players join without installing anything, and the server owner is the only one who needs the file. It is published for Fabric alone, with files for 1.20.1 only, the latest being 0.2.1 from 2025-07-31. The license is the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, and the source code and issue tracker are public. The author works mainly on 1.20.1 and says other versions may follow, but none are listed yet.
Key features
Source-separated golden hearts
Golden hearts are tracked by the source that granted them, so each source is handled on its own.
Status effect priority
When damage is taken, golden hearts from status effects are consumed first.
Expired effect cleanup
Golden hearts left behind after an Absorption status effect ends are removed rather than kept.
Broad source support
Golden hearts from status effects and other methods are all covered by the same rules.
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 1
Use cases
Who it’s for: Server owners and modpack authors who run Minecraft 1.20.1 with Fabric and want golden hearts from different sources to be consumed in a clear order.
How it compares
Absorption Fix is a Fabric, server-side only mod for 1.18 – 1.20.1, released under the CC0 1.0 Universal license, and its source is open. Spice of Fabric Overhaul is a Fabric mod for 1.20.1 – 1.20.6 that needs both client and server, and it is not open source under the CC0 1.0 Universal license. Smart Absorption differs from both by being server-side only and covering 1.20.1 alone under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Absorption | Fabric | 1.20.1 | Server-side only | 2025-07-31 |
| Absorption Fix | Fabric | 1.18 – 1.20.1 | Server-side only | 2025-08-27 |
| Spice of Fabric Overhaul | Fabric | 1.20.1 – 1.20.6 | Client and server | 2026-04-03 |
Questions
Does Smart Absorption need Fabric API?
Does every player need to install Smart Absorption?
Is Smart Absorption available for versions other than 1.20.1?
In the catalog
Smart Absorption is one of 3,545 Optimization mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,575 Optimization mods for Fabric. 34,764 mods support Minecraft 1.20.1.
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What the author says
This problem isn't very noticeable in vanilla Minecraft, but can be critical in RPG-style modpacks where every golden heart matters. This mod perfectly solves this issue by separating golden hearts from different sources!
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/smart-absorption
- Owner
- huaijiujing
- Published
- 2025-07-27
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-07-31
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15