Totem of Dying
by ZXTCG
Totem of Dying is a NeoForge magic mod for 1.21.1 whose item looks like a normal totem but kills the player who holds it in the main or off hand.
What it does
The item presents itself as an ordinary Totem of Undying, yet holding it in either hand triggers a death sequence. A totem screen appears with particles and sounds while the effect plays, and the death message names the totem as the cause. The mod adds a separate Totem of Dying item, and it is obtained through a crafting recipe rather than found in the world.
The recipe takes a standard totem and pairs it with a wither skeleton skull, which can sit anywhere on the crafting grid. Because the item is meant to be a trap, it fits cursed or adventure-style packs where a player must learn to read item names and tooltips before using a totem. The server and every player need the mod installed. It is published for NeoForge only, for 1.21.1, with version 1.0.0 as the latest file released on 2026-07-16, and the code is licensed as All rights reserved.
Key features
Disguised totem item
The Totem of Dying looks like a standard totem, so the item name and appearance do not reveal its effect.
Death on hold
Holding the item in the main hand or off hand kills the player, with no need to use it.
Totem screen effect
A totem screen, particles and sounds play when the effect starts, matching the vanilla totem presentation.
Custom death messages
The death message reports that the player died while holding the totem, giving the cause in plain text.
Crafting recipe
The item is crafted by pairing a standard totem with a skull, which can be placed anywhere on the grid.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Cursed and trap maps
Map makers can place the item as a lure, since it appears to be a normal totem until it is held.
Who it’s for: Players who enjoy cursed items and adventure maps, and server owners who want a trap item that depends on the player reading the item carefully.
How it compares
Potion Totems is open source under the MIT License and runs on client and server for 1.21.1, with no death effect. Ancient Totems is a NeoForge file for 1.21.8 under All rights reserved, so it does not cover the same version as Totem of Dying. F&A Totem Recipe is needed on the server, with the client optional; it covers Forge and NeoForge for 1.21 – 1.21.1 and changes recipes rather than adding a death item.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totem of Dying | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-07-16 |
| Potion Totems | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-02-04 |
| Ancient Totems | NeoForge | 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2026-02-12 |
| F&A Totem Recipe | Forge and NeoForge | 1.21 – 1.21.1 | Server required, client optional | 2025-03-30 |
Questions
Does Totem of Dying need to be installed on both sides?
How is the Totem of Dying obtained?
Which loader and version does the mod support?
In the catalog
Totem of Dying is one of 7,216 Magic mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,992 Magic mods for NeoForge. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from ZXTCG
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What the author says
This mod adds a brand new item that isn't what it seems... ## Features ### Totem of Dying Item - Kills the player when held in main hand or off hand - Displays totem of screen with particles and sounds when held - Custom death messages for when the player dies due to holding it ### How to Obtain uhh i forgot to add…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/the-totem-of-dying
- Owner
- ZXTCG
- Published
- 2026-07-16
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-07-16
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15