RideThaMob: Ride Any Mob or Player in Minecraft
Minecraft offers a vast sandbox, but the standard rules of interaction with mobs can feel limiting. What if you could climb onto the back of any creature, from a humble chicken to the mighty Ender Dragon, and take the reins? The RideThaMob add-on shatters these conventional boundaries, introducing a playful and surprisingly robust mechanic that turns every entity into a potential mount. Beyond animals, this tool even allows you to mount another player and steer them using the WASD keys. It sounds like a wild experiment, yet the execution is stable and polished, provided you follow a few simple guidelines.
Core Mechanics and How Mounting Works
The principle behind RideThaMob is refreshingly straightforward. To initiate a ride, approach any mob or player within a radius of ten blocks and type /rtm into the chat. Your character will instantly leap onto the target, granting you a unique vantage point. By default, the ride is passive, meaning you simply sit atop the entity. However, activating control mode with /rtm control hands you the full steering wheel. From that moment, the WASD keys dictate movement direction, and the spacebar prompts your mount to jump. The result is a responsive, living vehicle that reacts to every command with surprising agility.
For those who crave velocity, the /rtm speed command activates an accelerated mode, transforming even the most leisurely cow into a racing machine. If vertical exploration is more your style, /rtm fly enables flight, allowing your chosen mob or player to glide in the direction you are looking. This feature opens up new possibilities for aerial reconnaissance or simply showing off above a crowded spawn point. Additionally, a whimsical touch is provided by the /rtm nyan command, which makes a sheep's wool cycle through a rainbow of colors, a nod to the famous internet meme. This visual spectacle is sure to draw attention on any multiplayer server.
Command Reference and Configuration
RideThaMob is managed through a concise list of commands that are easy to memorize:
- /rtm – Mount the nearest eligible mob or player within the 10-block radius.
- /rtm control – Toggle WASD control over the mounted entity.
- /rtm speed – Toggle the accelerated movement mode.
- /rtm fly – Activate or deactivate flight mode (available since version 1.3.2).
- /rtm nyan – Enable the rainbow color effect on a sheep.
- /rtm update – Manually trigger a plugin update (available since version 1.3.0).
All toggles operate as switches; entering the command again disables the effect. This design eliminates the need to remember additional parameters. The critical detail to remember is the target acquisition radius, which is exactly 10 blocks. If you are too far away, the plugin will not locate a suitable entity to ride.
Permissions and Server Administration
To prevent chaos in a multiplayer environment, RideThaMob includes a granular permission system. Server administrators can grant access to ride all mobs using ridethamob.mob.* or restrict it to specific types, such as ridethamob.mob.sheep. Similarly, permissions for riding players are managed with ridethamob.player.* for all players or ridethamob.player.MiniDigger to target a specific username. Separate permissions exist for control (ridethamob.control), speed (ridethamob.speed), flight (ridethamob.fly), nyan mode (ridethamob.nyan), and even the auto-updater (ridethamob.updater). This level of detail allows server owners to tailor the experience, whether for a family-friendly survival world or a chaotic free-for-all anarchy server.
Installation and Compatibility Considerations
RideThaMob is designed for Bukkit and its forks, so using the correct server core version is essential. If the server logs display the message "Failed to register the custom Entitys! You cant control the Entitys with the wasd keys now!", it indicates a compatibility issue. The solution is straightforward: update the server to the recommended Bukkit version or contact the developer for a build tailored to your specific configuration. For those who prefer to avoid manual JAR file management and dependency checks, the foxygame.net launcher offers a convenient alternative. It allows you to install RideThaMob with just a few clicks directly from its menu, saving time and eliminating compatibility headaches.
It is also worth noting that the plugin collects anonymous statistics through Metrics, which can be disabled in the PluginMetrics configuration file. The built-in auto-updater can be turned off by setting check_for_updates: false in the settings. This gives you full control over when and how updates are applied.
Ongoing Development and Future Plans
The developer actively maintains and enhances RideThaMob. Recent fixes have addressed bugs related to Ender Dragons and giants, removed the annoying "moved too quickly!" messages, and enabled dragons to spit fireballs. Future plans include full localization, improved anti-cheat compatibility, and the ability to attack other entities while controlling movement direction. The source code is open, inviting enthusiasts to contribute or build custom versions for their own needs.
RideThaMob transforms routine exploration into a limitless amusement park. Want to organize high-speed pig races? Done. Dream of flying over the spawn area on a friend's shoulders? Easily achievable. The plugin is lightweight and does not burden the server, yet it delivers an abundance of entertainment. With its well-designed permission system, griefers are kept in check, ensuring a fun experience for everyone. Once you try it, you will never look at mobs as simple NPCs again.
To get started, you need to download RideThaMob: Ride Any Mob or Player in Minecraft from a trusted source and place the JAR file into your server's plugins folder. For detailed steps on how to install, refer to the official documentation or use the foxygame.net launcher for a streamlined process. RideThaMob: Ride Any Mob or Player in Minecraft for Minecraft supports a range of Bukkit-based versions, so verify your server core matches the plugin requirements for optimal performance.
In conclusion, RideThaMob is a creative and functional add-on that redefines player-mob interaction. Its simple commands, robust permission system, and ongoing development make it a valuable addition to any server seeking a fresh and entertaining twist. Whether you are a server admin looking to spice up gameplay or a player wanting a new way to traverse the world, this tool offers a unique and memorable experience.