Critical Crates focuses on storage improvements for a variety of different types of players by providing a new crate block. These crates have a large number of variations from each type of vanilla wood to all current forms of glass. Some types may even have their own features! In addition, they can even be customized further with a decent assortment of upgrades to allow the player to attempt to solve a variety of storage issues, such as item destruction. However, pick your upgrade carefully as a crate can only handle being upgraded once.

This mod is currently only developed and maintained for NeoForge 1.21.1 and 1.21.11, but may be updated to newer and different versions/loaders in the future.

Below is the current list of features with possibly more to come!

Critical Crates uses a system to change between crates called foundations. There are currently three types of crates in the mod: Wood, Glass, and Iron. While wood crates can be crafted normally, the others cannot. To swap or change between any of these at a time, simply craft a foundation using pliers and right click on any crate with it. All currently stored items will seemlessly transfer between the old and new crate type so don't worry about removing them!

To view recipes for all the above, visit the GitHub wiki.

All Vanilla Wood Crate Variants (as of 1.21.1):
Oak, Spruce, Birch, Jungle, Acacia, Dark Oak, Mangrove, Cherry, Bamboo, Crimson, and Warped

All types of vanilla wood crates

Although, be warned wood crates can light on fire and destroy all of your items if not handled properly! Upgrade them or pick an appropriate type to prevent this disaster. Note, crimson and warped crates are in fact fire, but not lava, resistant despite being part of the wood crate group.

All Vanilla Stained Glass Crate Variants (from left to right): Normal, White, Light Gray, Gray, Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Lime, Green, Cyan, Light Blue, Blue, Purple, Magenta, and Pink

All types of vanilla stained-glass crates

The color can be changed by right clicking on any glass crate with a different dye and can be removed by right clicking on a stained glass crate with a soap item.

In addition, glass crates also show or render the item put in their top left inventory slot as if it was inside the block. Change it to label what items are in this crate or just have something there for fun!

Glass crate with oak crate inside

Iron Crates

All the iron crates

Iron crates function exactly as you would expect by expanding the traditional crate size of a single chest to that of a double chest.

Iron crate inventory

Additionally, iron crates are more durable. They have a higher toughness value than any base level crate type and will not catch on fire.

Five Current Crate Upgrades (from left to right): Obsidian Reinforcement, Lamp Simulator, Fireproofing, Slimy Framing, and Iron Supports

To add or remove an upgrade, simply right click with the correct item in hand and watch as it is seamlessly applied to or removed from the crate!

Here is what each one does, choose carefully as you can only pick one!

1. Obsidian Reinforcement
Keep your items safe while creepers or other explosive enemies are about. Makes the crate blast or explosion resistant as with an actual obsidian block! No more easily destroyed storage systems or tons of items on the ground from one small explosion.

2. Lamp Simulator
Remove every single dark spot without having to place a single torch. Light up your base with ease by providing a light source hidden and tucked away. It functions almost exactly the same as a copper bulb, but with an inventory! One redstone signal and no more scary monsters spawning around this crate.

3. Fireproofing
No one likes a fast-spreading fire. Protect your wood crates from fire by adding this upgrade, but it also makes any crate completely resistant to lava as well! Don't believe me? Give it a toss into lava and try it for yourself.

4. Slimy Framing
Cleaning up storage areas can take way too long. Designed for base cleanup, these crates are instantly breakable using a player’s bare hands! However, due to the bouncy nature of slimes, they also provide tons of bouncy fall damage reducing fun.

5. Iron Supports
Storage space is everyone's worst nightmare. This upgrade operates exactly as the iron crate by adding three more additional rows to the base crate inventory. Try it out to gain way more room! Don't worry, if removed later, all items in the extra rows will simply drop onto the ground. However, note that while gaining more space, it does not give fire resistance as with the actual iron crate.

Each upgrade is also removable by default with the pliers item (far left in the photo). It is crafted with just one iron and two leather! However, if you want a real challenge try disabling the removal of these upgrades in the config files. The pliers are also used to craft each upgrade using their respective blocks or items.

For crafting recipes or more mod information, visit the wiki.

This is actually my first mod and is currently in its earlier stages of public release so if you have any suggestions or find any bugs, please let me know using Github or another communication method below!

You may add this to any modpack or record any video with this mod, but please give credit somewhere in the description!

If you want to support me or have any additional questions, check out:
CriticalPickle's Discord: https://discord.gg/BSqy276THC
CriticalPickle's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecriticalpickle