Villager Brain Configuration Revived
by itzzmarkus
Villager Brain Configuration Revived lets server owners change how villagers path around blocks, with settings stored in a JSON file.
What it does
The mod makes villager pathfinding behaviour configurable. A server owner can set a malus for each block, so villagers avoid campfires and magma blocks, or treat water paths as usable by fishermen only. Penalties can also be set per profession, and a global block penalty cache keeps lookups cheap. Villagers stay on the paths they are given and reach their job sites by shorter routes.
The mod is a revival of joshieman's original Villager Brain Configuration mod, updated for 26.2 with native support for modded blocks. It is server-side only, so the server runs it and players join without installing anything. Settings live in villager-brain-config.json in the config folder. The mod is open source under the MIT License, and files are published for Fabric and NeoForge, both for 26.2.
Key features
Per-block malus control
Each block can receive its own pathfinding penalty, so villagers can be kept away from hazards or allowed onto chosen surfaces.
Profession-based malus
Penalties can differ by villager profession, letting a fisherman route over water while other professions avoid it.
Global block penalty caching
Penalties are cached globally, which keeps the cost of checking many blocks low during pathfinding.
Village layout routing
Custom village designs can rely on set navigation paths, and villagers stop wandering off those paths to reach their job sites.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Keeping villagers off hazards
Campfires and magma blocks can be given a high penalty so villagers walk around them instead of across them.
Planning custom villages
Builders can shape paths and job site routes so villagers take predictable, short routes.
Who it’s for: Server owners who want to tune villager movement on a multiplayer server, and map makers building custom villages with controlled navigation.
How it compares
Pathwright is a Fabric and NeoForge mod for 26.1 – 26.1.2, with server required and client optional, under the MIT License, and it is not open source. Real Working Villagers is a Fabric mod for 26.1.2 – 26.2 that needs both client and server, licensed under the MIT License, and it is not open source. Protect Villagers is server-side only on Fabric for 26.1 – 26.2, licensed as All rights reserved, and it is not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villager Brain Configuration Revived | Fabric and NeoForge | 26.2 | Server-side only | 2026-09-04 |
| Pathwright | Fabric and NeoForge | 26.1 – 26.1.2 | Server required, client optional | 2026-05-20 |
| Real Working Villagers | Fabric | 26.1.2 – 26.2 | Client and server | 2026-06-18 |
| Protect Villagers | Fabric | 26.1 – 26.2 | Server-side only | 2026-09-02 |
Questions
Does Villager Brain Configuration Revived need to be installed on clients?
Which loaders does Villager Brain Configuration Revived support?
Where are the settings changed?
In the catalog
Villager Brain Configuration Revived is one of 3,545 Optimization mods on ModsFinder, and one of 2,575 Optimization mods for Fabric. 13,894 mods support Minecraft 26.2.
Similar mods
What the author says
A lightweight, highly optimized mod that makes villager pathfinding behaviour fully configurable Ported from joshieman's original Villager Brain Configuration mod, updated to 26.2
Official listing
- Owner
- itzzmarkus
- Published
- 2026-09-04
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-04
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15