SimpleTMs for Cobblemon: TMs and TRs as Server Progression
Integrating the Pokémon experience into the blocky universe of Minecraft requires more than just spawning creatures; it demands a robust system for character development and strategic depth. The SimpleTMs for Cobblemon: TMs and TRs as Server Progression add-on fills this critical gap by introducing Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs) directly into the gameplay loop. This utility module transforms how trainers acquire, store, and utilize moves, turning what could be a random grind into a structured progression system suitable for both solitary adventures and complex multiplayer economies. Whether you are running a hardcore survival server or a casual creative world, understanding the mechanics of this tool is essential for maximizing your Cobblemon experience.
Core Mechanics of Move Acquisition
At the heart of this modification lies the distinction between two primary items: Technical Machines and Technical Records. While both serve the ultimate purpose of teaching specific attacks to compatible Pokémon, their durability and economic value differ significantly, creating a layered resource management game.
Technical Machines: The Reusable Standard
Technical Machines function as the backbone of long-term planning. By default, a standard TM possesses a durability of 32 uses. This makes them ideal for server environments where multiple players might need to teach the same move to different members of their team. The mod integrates seamlessly with vanilla Minecraft crafting logic; when a TM nears depletion, it can be repaired at an anvil using diamond blocks. This mechanic ties the progression of your Pokémon team directly to the broader resource economy of the server, ensuring that powerful moves remain valuable but accessible to dedicated players.
Technical Records: High-Risk, High-Reward
In contrast, Technical Records offer a single-use solution for immediate tactical needs. Upon teaching a move, the TR is consumed and destroyed. This mechanic is perfect for testing new builds or granting a temporary advantage in a difficult raid without committing a rare, reusable TM. The transient nature of TRs encourages players to engage deeply with the loot generation systems and battle rewards rather than hoarding resources indefinitely.
When utilizing either item, the user interface provides comprehensive data. Tooltips display the move type, power, and accuracy, allowing trainers to make informed decisions without needing to consult external wikis. The system respects the natural learnsets of Pokémon, including TM, Tutor, and Egg Move groups, ensuring that balance is maintained according to established Pokémon lore found in resources like Bulbapedia.
Advanced Storage and Infrastructure
One of the most significant quality-of-life improvements introduced by this add-on is the sophisticated storage system designed to prevent inventory clutter. As players accumulate hundreds of discs, managing them in standard chests becomes impractical.
The TM and TR Cases
The mod introduces personal storage solutions known as the TM Case and TR Case. These items function similarly to an Ender Chest, providing a persistent, dimension-independent inventory specifically for move discs. The TM Case typically holds one instance of each unique machine, preventing duplicates from wasting space, while the TR Case allows for stacking single-use records. A helpful counter in the item tooltip displays exactly how many unique moves are stored, offering satisfying feedback for completionist players.
The Centralized TM Machine
For multiplayer servers, the TM Machine block serves as a communal hub. Unlike personal cases, this placed block allows all players on the server to access a shared pool of moves. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis; once a player withdraws a disc, it belongs to them. Crucially, the crafting recipe for the TM Machine is designed to be non-destructive regarding stored data. Players can craft and place the machine without losing the contents of their personal cases, facilitating easy setup of community centers or trading hubs.
Sourcing and Economy Integration
The acquisition of these items is carefully balanced to encourage exploration and combat. Empty TM and TR bases can be crafted using specific recipes that vary slightly depending on the mod version. In newer iterations, such as those post-2.1.0, recipes may utilize Netherite blocks instead of Echo Shards, reflecting the evolving material meta of modern Minecraft versions.
Beyond crafting, loot generation plays a pivotal role. Structures like villages, ruined portals, and ancient cities can contain pre-loaded discs, with the type of move often correlating to the biome or dimension. For instance, Fire-type moves are more prevalent in Nether-related structures, while Normal-type moves appear frequently in village chests. Server administrators can further customize this distribution by integrating datapacks like Pokeloot, tailoring drop rates to fit specific server rulesets.
However, the primary source of these valuable items remains combat. Defeating wild Pokémon yields a chance to receive a TR (approximately 10%) or a rare TM (around 1%). The specific move dropped is randomly selected from the defeated creature's learnset. This mechanic discourages "one-shot" farming strategies and promotes engaging, full-scale battles, which is vital for maintaining a healthy PvP or raiding economy on multiplayer servers.
Installation and Version Compatibility
Successfully implementing this mod requires careful attention to version matching, as it is highly dependent on the underlying Cobblemon version. For those looking to download SimpleTMs for Cobblemon: TMs and TRs as Server Progression, verifying the compatibility matrix is the first step to preventing crashes.
- Cobblemon 1.5.2: Requires a specific backport version of the mod.
- Cobblemon 1.6: Compatible with SimpleTMs version 2.0.0.
- Cobblemon 1.6.1: Supported by versions 2.0.2 and 2.1.0.
- Cobblemon 1.7 and 1.7.1: Requires SimpleTMs version 2.2.0 or higher.
When searching for how to install the add-on, note that it relies on several key libraries. For Minecraft 1.21.1 setups using version 2.1.0, you will need Architectury API (version 13.0.6 or newer). Fabric users must install Fabric API, while NeoForge users require the corresponding loader and Kotlin for Forge 5.5.0+. Mismatching these dependencies is the most common cause of startup failures. Using a modern launcher can streamline this process, allowing you to pull dependencies directly from the menu rather than manually hunting down JAR files.
Configuration and Extensibility
The true power of SimpleTMs for Cobblemon: TMs and TRs as Server Progression for Minecraft lies in its configurability. Server operators can fine-tune drop rates, crafting costs, and storage limits via the configuration files, detailed in the CONFIG.md documentation on the project's GitHub repository. Furthermore, the mod supports integration with expansion packs like Gravel's Extended Battles. Through data packs and resource packs, administrators can introduce TMs and TRs for new move types and custom abilities, ensuring the progression system scales with any custom content added to the server.
Conclusion
The addition of Technical Machines and Records fundamentally shifts the progression curve of Cobblemon servers. By providing clear pathways for acquiring moves through crafting, looting, and battling, and offering robust tools for storage and management, this mod turns move learning from a chaotic RNG mechanic into a strategic pillar of gameplay. Whether you are a solo trainer optimizing your team or an administrator building a complex economy, mastering the systems within this add-on is key to unlocking the full potential of your Minecraft adventure. Always verify your version pairings and consult the configuration guides to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all trainers.