Only Excavators Recipe Balancing Data Pack FAQ
10 questions players actually ask, answered.
Do I need to install this datapack if I already have Only Excavators?
Yes, this is a separate datapack that changes the crafting recipes. Without it, excavators use the original cheap recipes from the mod. Install it on top of Only Excavators to make crafting them harder.
What's the easiest excavator to craft with this datapack?
The iron excavator is the first one you can make, but it now requires full blocks of material instead of single items, plus extra ingredients like diamonds or copper. You'll need to mine significantly more than the vanilla recipe demands.
Can I use this datapack in my existing survival world?
Yes, it uses only standard Minecraft items so it works in any world. If you already crafted excavators with the old recipes, the datapack won't change those tools—only new crafts will use the new recipes.
Do I need other mods installed for the new recipes to work?
No, this datapack only uses standard Minecraft items and blocks, so it works standalone with just Only Excavators. It's designed to fit into any modpack without extra dependencies.
Why do I need full blocks instead of single items to craft excavators?
The datapack rebalances the original mod's cheap recipes by requiring material blocks, which forces you to mine more and spend more time gathering resources before you can craft high-tier tools.
What materials do I need for higher-tier excavators?
Each excavator tier requires progressively more expensive material blocks as you advance. Check the crafting table to see the exact block requirements for each tier you're trying to unlock.
Can I disable this datapack without uninstalling Only Excavators?
Yes, you can disable the datapack in your world settings or remove it from your datapack folder. The mod will revert to its original cheap recipes once the datapack is no longer active.
Does this datapack affect excavator performance or mining speed?
No, it only changes the crafting recipes. The excavators themselves mine at the same speed and work the same way—only the cost to make them is higher.
What if I already have diamonds and copper from mining—can I craft an iron excavator right away?
You still need to gather the full material blocks required by the recipe, not just the extra ingredients. The datapack forces you to collect more total resources than the original mod requires.
Is this datapack compatible with other mining or crafting mods?
Yes, since it only uses standard Minecraft items, it should work alongside other mods. However, if another mod changes excavator recipes or crafting mechanics, there may be conflicts—test in your modpack to be sure.