Totem Guardian
by TioBen
Totem Guardian changes how the Totem of Undying works, so a lethal hit can be stopped by a set of effects picked for the way the player is dying.
What it does
The mod upgrades the Totem of Undying. When a player would die, the totem can apply effects that fit the cause, such as fire resistance, water breathing, regeneration, resistance or speed. A player who falls into the void can also be pulled back out with a safe teleport. The stated aim is to prevent unfair deaths in Hardcore worlds while keeping the rest of the game as it is.
Hostile mobs can be pushed away when they close in, and dangerous falling blocks such as gravel or anvils can be destroyed automatically before they land on a player. Totems can also be used from the hotbar. Every setting is kept in a JSON configuration file, so server owners can adjust the behavior.
The mod is a Fabric adventure and game mechanics addition. A server running it needs every connecting player to have it too. It is released under the zlib License and is open source, with source code and an issue tracker published. Files exist for 1.21 – 26.2 across 16 release versions, and the latest Fabric file is 3.0.0 for 26.2, published on 2026-08-17.
Key features
Cause-based totem effects
The totem detects how the player is dying and applies effects matched to that situation.
Void rescue
A player who would fall out of the world is teleported to safety instead of dying.
Hostile mob push
Nearby hostile mobs can be pushed back from the player during a dangerous moment.
Automatic block destruction
Dangerous falling blocks such as gravel or anvils are broken automatically to prevent crushing damage.
JSON configuration
All options are set in a JSON file, so each behavior can be tuned or switched off.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x4 of 4 versions with builds
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Hardcore survival
Players in Hardcore worlds use the upgraded totem as a safety net against deaths they consider unfair.
Who it’s for: The mod suits players who run Hardcore survival worlds and server owners who want to adjust how the totem behaves through its configuration file.
How it compares
Simple Passive Totem is server-side only, published for Fabric across 1.21 – 26.1.2, and released under the MIT License. Hotbar Totems is also server-side only and covers 1.20 – 26.2, but it is open source under the MIT License. TotemBurst is client-side only, so it works for a single player and does not need the server to run it, with files for 1.21.8 – 26.2 under the MIT License.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totem Guardian | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.2 | Client and server | 2026-08-17 |
| Simple Passive Totem | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.1.2 | Server-side only | 2026-06-18 |
| Hotbar Totems | Fabric | 1.20 – 26.2 | Server-side only | 2026-08-14 |
| TotemBurst | Fabric | 1.21.8 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-07-30 |
Questions
Does Totem Guardian need to be installed on the server?
Which loader does Totem Guardian use?
Can server owners change how the totem behaves?
In the catalog
Totem Guardian is one of 19,031 Adventure mods on ModsFinder, and one of 10,052 Adventure mods for Fabric. 13,894 mods support Minecraft 26.2.
More from TioBen
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What the author says
Better Totem upgrades the Totem of Undying with an intelligent survival system that detects how you are dying and applies specific effects to save you. It can grant fire resistance, water breathing, regeneration, resistance, speed, and even automatically rescue you from the void with safe teleportation. The mod also…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/totem-guardian
- Owner
- TioBen
- Published
- 2026-02-12
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-08-17
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15