Better Swords Trims Mod (1.21.1, 1.20.1) – Area Damage, Glow Detection And Levitation Effects
Minecraft's smithing table has always felt underused once you finish upgrading to netherite — but Better Swords Trims Mod changes that entirely. This mod introduces a set of combat-focused smithing trims that turn ordinary sword materials like quartz, emerald, and lapis lazuli into meaningful upgrades with unique effects. Whether you want area-of-effect damage, mob detection through glow, or crowd control via levitation and slowness, each trim material offers a distinct tactical advantage worth building around.
Key Features
- New smithing trims for swords and armor — A dedicated template unlocks trim slots on the smithing table, letting you customize gear from iron all the way up to netherite.
- Weeping Obsidian trim (Area Damage) — Strikes deal damage in a 3×3 zone around the target, making it ideal for fighting groups of mobs in tight spaces.
- Lapis Lazuli trim (Glow Detection) — Hitting a mob causes all nearby mobs of the same type to glow for 45 seconds, perfect for tracking enemies in caves or at night.
- Emerald trim (Levitation) — Launches the hit mob into the air with a 4-second levitation effect, adding fall damage on top of your sword strike.
- Redstone trim (Slowness) — Applies a slowness debuff on hit, giving you time to kite dangerous mobs or line up follow-up attacks.
- Quartz trim (XP Bonus) — Grants extra experience points when you defeat an enemy, useful for enchanting and mending gear faster.
Screenshots
How to Install
- Download and install the appropriate mod loader (Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge) for your Minecraft version.
- Download Better Swords Trims Mod from the link below matching your loader and version.
- Place the downloaded
.jarfile into your.minecraft/modsfolder. - Launch Minecraft with the correct mod loader profile and check the mod list to confirm it loaded.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod Loader | Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge |
| Dependencies | None listed |
| Minecraft Version | 1.21.1, 1.21, 1.20.1 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Each trim material has a genuinely different combat effect, encouraging experimentation
- Works across multiple sword tiers from iron to netherite
- Available on Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge — covers all major mod loaders
- No listed dependencies, so installation is straightforward
- Gives the smithing table a meaningful role beyond netherite upgrades
Cons
- Limited to sword and armor trims — no support for axes, tridents, or other weapons
- Effect values (4s levitation, 45s glow) are fixed with no apparent configuration options
- The 3×3 area damage from Weeping Obsidian trim could accidentally hit passive mobs or pets
Download
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
FAQ
What does the Lapis Lazuli trim do in Better Swords Trims?
The Lapis Lazuli trim causes all mobs of the same type as your target to glow for 45 seconds when you hit one. This makes it especially useful for spotting hidden mobs in dark environments like caves or the Nether.
Does Better Swords Trims work with netherite swords?
Yes. The mod supports all sword tiers from iron to netherite, so you can apply any trim material to your best gear.
Can I use multiple trim effects at the same time?
The mod uses the smithing table with a new template to apply trims. Based on the available data, each trim provides one specific effect tied to the material you choose, so selecting a trim material determines your combat bonus.
