Adjust Shadow Quality and Softness for Your Hardware

Access Shader Settings

Open the shader options menu by pressing Right Shift (or your configured key) while in-game, then navigate to the shader pack settings. Look for shadow-related options in the main menu.

Configure Shadow Parameters

Locate the shadow distance and softness sliders. If your frame rate drops significantly, reduce shadow distance first—this limits how far shadows render from your character. For softer shadows that look more natural, increase the shadow softness value; for sharper, more defined shadows, decrease it.

Balance Performance and Visuals

Start with medium settings and test in different lighting conditions—near trees, mountains, and structures. If you experience lag, prioritize reducing shadow distance over quality. The HardRock TFC terrain generates large rock formations that cast complex shadows; lowering these settings helps maintain playable frame rates without sacrificing the shader's core visual improvements.

Apply and Test

Save your changes and observe how shadows fall across terrain and custom blocks. Adjust incrementally until you find the balance between visual quality and smooth gameplay. Different areas of your world may perform differently depending on terrain complexity.