ModsFinder

Wither Skeleton Archers in Fortresses

by badooga

Wither Skeleton Archers in Fortresses swaps the bow-less skeletons that spawn in Nether fortresses for bow-wielding wither skeletons, making those structures harder.

FabricForgeNeoForgeQuiltServer required, client optionalCreative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 4.01.15 – 1.20.4

What it does

The mod is a datapack, so it runs on the server and needs no client-side install. Whenever a skeleton spawns inside a Nether fortress, the datapack replaces it with a wither skeleton that carries a bow and can inflict wither effects with its arrows. Regular sword-wielding wither skeletons are left alone. Using commands, server owners can apply the change to every fortress or only selected ones.

Only the server needs this mod: players join without installing anything. It targets Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, with one file, 1.0.0+mod for 1.20.4, published on 2023-06-17 under the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 license. Game versions run 1.15 – 1.20.4, and the mod is not open source. Removing the datapack does not revert existing archers back into plain skeletons.

Key features

  1. Bow-wielding archers

    Skeletons that spawn in Nether fortresses are replaced by wither skeletons holding bows.

  2. Fortress-only replacement

    The swap applies only to skeletons inside Nether fortresses, and other skeletons stay as they are.

  3. Compatible fortress structures

    Modded fortresses such as Apocalyptic Fortress, Dungeons and Taverns and YUNG's Better Nether Fortresses are recognized as optional dependencies.

  4. Editable predicate

    The structure check can be extended by editing a predicate file, so other modded fortresses can be added.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

1.20.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.20.41.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod
1.20.31.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod
1.20.21.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod
1.20.11.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod
1.201.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod1.0.0+mod
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.19.41.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.19.31.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.19.21.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.19.11.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.191.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.18.21.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.18.11.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.181.0.0+mod1.0.0+modNot available1.0.0+mod
1.17.x2 of 2 versions with builds
1.16.x6 of 6 versions with builds
1.15.x3 of 3 versions with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Requirements

Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.

Optional 2

YUNG's Better Nether FortressesA complete redesign of Minecraft's Nether fortresses!
Optional
Bygone NetherExplore new structures unique to each Nether biome, as well as the new mobs that inhabit them.
Optional

How it compares

Full comparison

No Wither Skeleton is an option for servers wanting a different change, since it is server required with client optional, loaded on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt for 1.13 – 1.21.11. Cataclysm x YUNG's Better Nether Fortress is server-side only, loaded on Forge and NeoForge for 1.20.1 – 1.21.1, and released under the MIT License. Wither Turns Skeletons is open source and runs on both sides, with files for Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt.

ModLoadersGame versionsEnvironmentUpdated
Wither Skeleton Archers in FortressesFabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.15 – 1.20.4Server required, client optional2023-06-17
No Wither Skeleton ❌Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt1.13 – 1.21.11Server required, client optional2025-11-28
Cataclysm x YUNG's Better Nether FortressForge and NeoForge1.20.1 – 1.21.1Server-side only2026-08-31
Wither Turns SkeletonsFabric, NeoForge and Quilt1.17.1 – 26.2Client and server2026-07-15

Questions

Does Wither Skeleton Archers in Fortresses need the server to run it?

Yes. It is required on the server and optional for players.

Which loaders are supported?

The mod has files for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt, and it is also available as a data pack.

Will modded fortresses get the archers?

Only if they are listed as compatible. Edit the predicate file in data/wsaif/predicates to add a modded structure.

In the catalog

Wither Skeleton Archers in Fortresses is one of 11,058 Mobs mods on ModsFinder, and one of 5,189 Mobs mods for Fabric. 13,907 mods support Minecraft 1.20.4.

Mobs mods11,058Fabric modsMods for 1.20.413,907

More from badooga

All projects
Sculk Expansion1.19 – 1.21.11More Fossils1.19 – 26.1.2Upgraded Mobs1.17 – 1.21.11Mob Variants1.17 – 1.20.4End Gateway Warps1.18 – 1.21.11Balanced Weapons1.17 – 1.20.4

Similar mods

[EMF] Entity Model Features1.18.2 – 26.3L_Ender's Cataclysm1.19.2 – 1.21.5Alex's Mobs1.16.5 – 1.20.1Guard Villagers1.16.5 – 26.3Touhou Little Maid1.16.5 – 1.21.1Creeper Overhaul1.18.2 – 1.21.1

What the author says

Using commands, wither skeletons are capable of wielding bows, and even inflict fire damage on a hit with them. This datapack/server-side mod replaces the skeletons that spawn in nether fortresses with such wither skeletons, making these structures more difficult. Regular sword-wielding wither skeletons are unaffected.
badooga, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
badooga
Published
2023-06-17
Updated on Modrinth
2023-06-17
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

AdventureGame mechanicsMobs
Open on ModrinthCompare