Basically Static Particle Mod FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
How do I spawn a basic glowing particle?
Use the particle command with a static particle type, specifying position, color (RGB), and size parameters. The mod provides dedicated particle types like `static_particle` that accept color and scale arguments directly in the command syntax.
What's the difference between static and oriented particles?
Static particles glow uniformly in all directions, while oriented particles face a specific direction with independent X and Y scaling, letting you create directional effects like beams or arrows. Oriented particles also support billboard rotation and post-rotation passes for more complex visuals.
Can I make particles animate over time?
Yes—the mod supports multi-step animation sequences where you define keyframes with custom timing between each step. You pass these as particle arguments in your command, allowing smooth color shifts, size changes, or alpha fading across multiple ticks.
How do I detect when a player clicks or uses an item?
The mod adds mouse action predicates that work in execute conditions to detect attack clicks, item picking, item use, and scroll actions. Use these predicates in your datapack logic to trigger commands or effects based on player input.
What particle textures are available?
The mod includes eight textures: dot, dither, smooth, pixel, shockwave, spark, dither beam, and smooth beam. You specify which texture to use as a particle argument when spawning.
Can I display text on a player's screen without using signs or chat?
Yes—the mod provides custom commands that render text directly on the player's screen as a visual overlay. This is useful for UI elements, timers, or debug information that don't clutter the chat.
Do I need to use a resource pack with this mod?
No—the mod includes built-in particle textures and rendering, so it works out of the box. However, you can create a custom resource pack if you want to replace the default particle textures with your own.
Can I control the camera with commands?
Yes—the mod includes direct camera control commands that let you adjust player view angles, zoom, or rotation for cutscenes or special effects. These commands work server-side through your datapack.
What happens if I use number ranges in particle arguments?
The mod allows particle arguments to accept number ranges, so each spawned particle can randomly pick a value within that range. This creates natural variation in color, size, or animation timing without spawning multiple separate commands.
Will this mod cause lag if I spawn lots of particles?
Particle performance depends on your system and how many you spawn per tick; static particles are generally lightweight, but spawning thousands simultaneously will impact FPS. Test your datapack at scale and use predicates to limit particle spawning to necessary moments.