The Wasteland
by TheZombie42
The Wasteland is a NeoForge adventure mod for 1.21.1 that adds a radioactive post-apocalyptic dimension with its own radiation mechanic.
What it does
Players reach the dimension through a portal built from hazard concrete, a yellow and black building block added by the mod, and ignited with a portal core. The core is crafted from iron, glass panes and flint and steel. Once inside, radiation builds up from standing near radioactive blocks such as waste barrels, carrying radioactive items in the inventory, or standing close to another irradiated player. Staying in the dimension without protection also adds to the total.
The radiation level is measured in sieverts, and effects grow in steps: from 25 Sv, Radiation poisoning removes 2 hearts; at 50 Sv, Radiation poisoning II removes 4 hearts and adds Mining fatigue; at 75 Sv, Radiation poisoning III adds Slowness; at 100 Sv, Radiation poisoning IIII removes 8 hearts and adds Wither. A geiger counter shows the current level. A gas mask reduces the amount received, and a hazmat suit gives complete protection. The mod is configured through gamerules and commands.
The Wasteland is released under the MIT License, is not open source, and runs on client and server, so the server and every player need it. Files are published for NeoForge 1.21.1 only, with 0.6.0 as the latest beta file.
Key features
Radiation mechanic
Radiation accumulates from nearby radioactive blocks, held items and other irradiated players, and its effects increase in steps.
Geiger counter
A geiger counter reports the current radiation level so players can judge how long they can stay in the dimension.
Protective gear
A gas mask reduces incoming radiation, and a hazmat suit gives complete protection against it.
Hostile wildlife
Irradipedes, fearful insects that live in groups, inhabit the dimension, along with other mobs that are more dangerous than the overworld ones.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players looking for a hostile post-apocalyptic setting in a survival or modpack world. The mod is not meant for players who want content limited to the overworld.
How it compares
Radiation Poisoning is a client and server mod for NeoForge 1.21.8, released under All rights reserved and not open source. Petrova Wastelands is a client and server mod for NeoForge 1.21.1 – 1.21.8, open source under the MIT License. Ashen World is a client and server mod for NeoForge 1.21.1, released under All rights reserved.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Wasteland | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-06-24 |
| Radiation Poisoning | NeoForge | 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2026-07-24 |
| Petrova Wastelands | NeoForge | 1.21.1 – 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2026-05-19 |
| Ashen World | NeoForge | 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-09-03 |
Questions
How does a player enter the Wasteland?
Does the Wasteland have to be installed on the server?
Which versions does The Wasteland support?
In the catalog
The Wasteland is one of 19,031 Adventure mods on ModsFinder, and one of 8,588 Adventure mods for NeoForge. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
Similar mods
What the author says
The Wasteland is a mod for NeoForge 1.21.1 that adds a new radioactive dimension to Minecraft: the Wasteland! In this dangerous dimension, you will find new threats like mobs or even worse: radioactivity! But you can also craft items to help you survive this challenging dimension. IMPORTANT: This mod does not add any…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/the-wasteland
- Owner
- TheZombie42
- Published
- 2026-01-25
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-06-24
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15