How to Set Up Stage Progression for a Modpack

Planning your stages

Before touching configs, decide the shape of your progression. A common pattern is a linear chain of stages such as early, mid, and late game, where each stage unlocks the tools needed to reach the next. Name your stages clearly and consistently, because every config entry references them by exact string.

Sketch which items, blocks, mobs, and recipes belong to each tier. Keep the first stage open so players can always make basic tools, then gate the mods or materials that define each subsequent tier. Avoid gating so much that players get stuck with no path forward.

Wiring it together

Add your stage names to the config, then populate the item, block, mob, and recipe lists for each one. Use the stage command to grant the first stage automatically on world join if your pack supports that, or hand it out via a quest or advancement. Test the full chain by creating a fresh player and walking through each tier, granting stages with the command as you go.

Watch for circular locks: if stage B requires an item gated behind stage B, players cannot progress. Also check that mob drops and block drops needed for crafting are not gated behind the stage that requires them. Iterate with the reload command so you can adjust without restarting.