Mining block by block is fine for precision work, but it turns any large-scale digging job — clearing out a mountain, carving a quarry, flattening a build site — into a slow, repetitive chore. This mod solves that problem directly by adding two new tool categories: Hammers and Excavators. Hammers behave like a pickaxe but mine a full 3×3 area with a single swing, while Excavators do the same for shovel-type blocks. The result is dramatically faster large-scale digging without needing to install a full-blown mining overhaul mod.

This mod is the official successor to two well-known earlier projects, Vanilla Hammers and Vanilla Excavators, combining both tool types into a single, streamlined mod built for Forge on Minecraft 1.19 and above.

What Hammers and Excavators Actually Do

  • Hammers mine exactly like a pickaxe in terms of block compatibility and speed, but instead of breaking a single block, they clear a 3×3 area centered on the block you’re targeting.
  • Excavators apply the same 3×3 area-of-effect logic to shovel-type blocks — dirt, sand, gravel, and similar terrain — making trench-digging and terraforming significantly faster.

Both tool types are designed to feel like natural extensions of their vanilla counterparts rather than overpowered replacements — if a pickaxe or shovel could mine it before, a Hammer or Excavator can mine a 3×3 patch of it now.

A True Successor, Not Just a Fork

Rather than maintaining two separate mods for hammers and excavators, this project merges both concepts into one, better-supported package built specifically for modern Forge versions starting at 1.19. If you previously used Vanilla Hammers or Vanilla Excavators on older Minecraft versions, this mod is the direct continuation of that functionality going forward.

Requirements & Compatibility

LibX Is Required

This mod depends on LibX and will not function without it installed alongside it. Make sure you download the correct LibX version that matches your Minecraft and Forge version before installing this mod.

Optional: MoreVanillaLib for Special Tool Effects

When paired with MoreVanillaLib, most of the tools added by this mod gain access to special additional effects, expanding what Hammers and Excavators can do beyond their base area-mining behavior. This is an optional addition for players who want extra depth on top of the core 3×3 mining mechanic.

Optional: MoreVanillaTools Integration

If MoreVanillaTools is also installed, the tool materials introduced by this mod are automatically extended to work with MoreVanillaTools as well — meaning the same materials you use here can be used to craft Hammers and Excavators using that mod’s tool system too. This gives players a much wider set of material options without needing separate, disconnected crafting trees.

Why Use Hammers and Excavators Instead of Vanilla Tools?

  • Massively faster large-area mining — clearing stone, ore veins, or dirt in bulk takes a fraction of the time compared to single-block mining.
  • No new mechanics to learn — Hammers and Excavators use the same mining rules as pickaxes and shovels, just scaled up to a 3×3 area.
  • Modular compatibility — works as a standalone tool mod, or expands further when combined with MoreVanillaLib and MoreVanillaTools.
  • Lightweight dependency chain — only LibX is strictly required, keeping the mod’s footprint small compared to full terraforming overhaul mods.

Typical Use Cases

Players commonly reach for Hammers and Excavators when digging out large mine shafts, quarrying stone for large builds, flattening terrain before starting a base, or clearing dirt and sand quickly during terraforming projects. Because both tools retain full compatibility with their vanilla tool category, they slot naturally into existing survival and modded gameplay without requiring any special setup beyond installing LibX.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hammers replace pickaxes entirely?

No. Hammers function like pickaxes with the same block compatibility, but expand mining to a 3×3 area instead of a single block — they’re a scaled-up alternative, not a full replacement for every situation.

Is LibX mandatory to use this mod?

Yes. LibX is a required dependency, and the mod will not run correctly without it installed.

What happens if I don’t install MoreVanillaLib or MoreVanillaTools?

The mod works fully as a standalone tool mod without either of them. MoreVanillaLib simply unlocks extra special effects for most tools, and MoreVanillaTools extends material compatibility — both are optional enhancements, not requirements.

Is this compatible with the original Vanilla Hammers and Vanilla Excavators mods?

This mod is intended as their successor for Forge on Minecraft 1.19 and above, combining both mods’ functionality into a single, actively maintained package rather than being used alongside the originals.

Does this mod work on Fabric?

This mod is built for Forge. Check the mod page for the most current information on any Fabric-compatible alternatives if you’re not running Forge.

Stop mining one block at a time. Grab a Hammer or Excavator, install LibX, and start clearing terrain 9 blocks at a time.