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KantoStarters

This mod was originally created for the CobbleKanto project, but it can also be used by other server owners and map creators who want a custom starter, reward, or one-time choice system for their own Cobblemon worlds.

KantoStarters is a Fabric/Cobblemon utility mod that lets creators build configurable choice stations using normal Minecraft blocks.

It can be used for starter selection, dojo-style rewards, fossil choices, special creature gifts, custom item rewards, or any other map event where the player must choose one option from a configured set.

Features

Custom starter and reward choice system
Configurable choice sessions through JSON files
Bind any block in the world to a configured choice
Custom dialogue screen with YES/NO confirmation
3D Cobblemon preview support
Item preview support for item-based choices
One-time choice protection
Optional block if the player already has a Cobblemon
Optional control over the default Cobblemon starter screen
Additional dialogue languages supported through config files

How It Works

KantoStarters uses configurable choice sessions.

Each session can contain multiple choices, but each physical block is linked to one specific option.

For example, a classic starter table can be built with three blocks:

one block linked to start / bulbasaur
one block linked to start / charmander
one block linked to start / squirtle

When the player right-clicks one of these bound blocks, a custom dialogue screen opens with a preview, dialogue text, and a YES/NO confirmation.

If the player confirms the choice, the mod can run commands, give items, and mark that session as completed for that player.

Creating and Binding a Choice to a Block

Before binding a block in the world, you need to create or edit a choice session in the config file:

config/kantostarters/choice_sessions.json

A choice station is based on two IDs:

sessionId — the group of choices, such as start, dojo, or mtmoon
choiceId — the specific Cobblemon ID inside that session, such as bulbasaur, charmander, or helix_fossil

Example:

{
  "sessionId": "start",
  "enabled": true,
  "oneTimeChoice": true,
  "blockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon": false,
  "textColour": "#3050c8",
  "secondConfirmLines": [],
  "choices": [
    {
      "choiceId": "bulbasaur",
      "displayName": "Bulbasaur",
      "previewSpecies": "bulbasaur",
      "dialogId": "start_bulbasaur_dialog",
      "dialogLines": [],
      "itemRewards": [],
      "previewScale": 1.0,
      "previewOffsetX": -1,
      "previewOffsetY": 4,
      "commands": [
        "pokegive %player% bulbasaur level=5"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

After editing the config, reload the mod:

/kantostarters reload

Then you can bind a block to that configured choice:

Place or choose a block in the world.
Look directly at the block.
Run the command:

/kantostarters set <sessionId> <choiceId>

Example:

/kantostarters set start bulbasaur

After that, players can right-click the block to open that specific choice.

To remove a binding from the block you are looking at:

/kantostarters unset

To test a configured choice without binding a block:

/kantostarters open <sessionId> <choiceId>

All setup commands require operator/admin permission.

Default Config

On first launch, KantoStarters creates its config files inside:

config/kantostarters/

The main file is:

config/kantostarters/choice_sessions.json

By default, the mod includes example sessions for:

start — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle
dojo — Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan
celadoneevee — Eevee
mtmoon — Helix Fossil and Dome Fossil

These are only default examples. You can edit, remove, expand, or replace them with your own custom sessions.

Always create the session and choice in choice_sessions.json before using /kantostarters set.

Choice Sessions

Each session controls a group of related choices.

Important session fields:

{
  "sessionId": "start",
  "enabled": true,
  "oneTimeChoice": true,
  "blockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon": false,
  "textColour": "#3050c8",
  "secondConfirmLines": [],
  "choices": []
}

`sessionId`

The internal ID session's name.

This is used in commands such as:

/kantostarters set start bulbasaur

`enabled`

If set to false, the session cannot be used.

`oneTimeChoice`

If set to true, each player can complete that session only once.

After confirming a choice, the player receives internal tags such as:

ks_done_start
ks_choice_start_bulbasaur

`blockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon`

If set to true, players who already have a Cobblemon in their party or PC cannot use this session.

This is useful for starter systems where you do not want players to claim a starter after already receiving or catching something.

`textColour`

Controls the dialogue text color.

`secondConfirmLines`

Optional extra confirmation dialogue.

This is useful when you want a second warning before the final choice is locked in.

Choice Options

Each choice controls one selectable option inside a session.

Example:

{
  "choiceId": "bulbasaur",
  "displayName": "Bulbasaur",
  "previewSpecies": "bulbasaur",
  "dialogId": "start_bulbasaur_dialog",
  "dialogLines": [],
  "itemRewards": [],
  "previewScale": 1.0,
  "previewOffsetX": -1,
  "previewOffsetY": 4,
  "commands": [
    "pokegive %player% bulbasaur level=5"
  ]
}

`choiceId`

The internal ID of the choice.

`displayName`

The name shown and used by the choice screen.

`previewSpecies`

Controls the preview shown in the choice screen.

For Cobblemon previews, use a species ID:

"previewSpecies": "bulbasaur"

For item previews, use a full item ID:

"previewSpecies": "cobblemon:helix_fossil"

`dialogId`

The ID used to load dialogue lines from the dialogue config files.

Example:

"dialogId": "start_bulbasaur_dialog"

`dialogLines`

Fallback dialogue lines used if no dialogId is found.

`itemRewards`

Direct item rewards.

Example:

"itemRewards": [
  {
    "itemId": "minecraft:diamond",
    "count": 1
  }
]

If the player's inventory is full, leftover items are dropped near the player.

`previewScale`, `previewOffsetX`, `previewOffsetY`

Controls the visual position and size of the preview inside the choice screen.

These are useful when a model or item appears too big, too small, too high, or too low.

`commands`

Commands executed when the player confirms the choice.

Example:

"commands": [
  "pokegive %player% bulbasaur level=5"
]

Supported placeholders:

%player% — player name
%uuid% — player UUID
%choice% — selected choice ID
%session% — session ID

Commands are executed by the server with admin permission.

Dialog Files

KantoStarters generates separate dialog files for different languages:

config/kantostarters/choice_dialog_arrays_en_us.json
config/kantostarters/choice_dialog_arrays_pt_br.json

Example:

{
  "start_bulbasaur_dialog": [
    "I see! BULBASAUR is your choice.",
    "It's very easy to raise.",
    "So, [player], you want to go with",
    "the GRASS COBBLEMON BULBASAUR?"
  ]
}

Supported placeholders:

[player]
[choice_display]
[choice_id]
[preview_species]

The mod automatically tries to use the player's selected Minecraft language.

If a matching dialogue file is not found, it falls back to en_us.

You can add more languages by creating files using the same format.

Example:

config/kantostarters/choice_dialog_arrays_es_es.json

Dialog Formatting

Dialog lines are automatically wrapped for the custom choice screen.

For best results, keep each line short and readable.

You can also use:

/p

as a page break inside dialogue arrays.

Example:

{
  "example_dialog": [
    "This is the first page.",
    "/p",
    "This is the second page."
  ]
}

Default Starter Screen Control

KantoStarters can control whether the default Cobblemon starter selection screen is allowed to open.

To enable the default starter screen:

/kantostarters DefaultPickStarters on

To disable the default starter screen:

/kantostarters DefaultPickStarters off

If you are using KantoStarters as your main starter selection system, you will probably want:

/kantostarters DefaultPickStarters off

This lets your custom choice stations handle starter selection instead.

Important:

KantoStarters does not automatically give a starter on join by itself. You should build and configure your own starter area, bind the desired blocks, and decide how players access those choices.

Commands

Reload configs:

/kantostarters reload

Shows basic debug info:

/kantostarters debug

Lists configured sessions and choices:

/kantostarters list

Bind the block you are looking at:

/kantostarters set <sessionId> <choiceId>

Remove the binding from the block you are looking at:

/kantostarters unset

Open a choice directly for testing:

/kantostarters open <sessionId> <choiceId>

Enable or disable blocking players who already have a Cobblemon for a session:

/kantostarters BlockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon <sessionId> <true|false>

Enable the default Cobblemon starter screen:

/kantostarters DefaultPickStarters on

Disable the default Cobblemon starter screen:

/kantostarters DefaultPickStarters off

Reset all KantoStarters choice tags for the player running the command:

/kantostarters reset all

Reset one session for the player running the command:

/kantostarters reset <sessionId>

All commands require operator/admin permission.

Recommended Uses

KantoStarters can be used for more than just the first starter selection.

It works well for:

starter rooms
dojo rewards
fossil choices
one-time gift creatures
item reward stations
quest rewards
map progression rewards
server event rewards
custom adventure map choices

Known Issues

KantoStarters is a config-based mod. Incorrect session IDs, choice IDs, item IDs, or command syntax may prevent a choice from working correctly.
If DefaultPickStarters is turned off but no custom starter station is configured, players may not receive a starter through the default Cobblemon screen.

Compatibility & Dependencies

Minecraft 1.21.1
Fabric Loader 0.17.2+
Fabric API
Java 21
Cobblemon

FAQ

Does KantoStarters work without Cobblemon?

No. KantoStarters requires Cobblemon.

Does this mod add new blocks or models?

No. KantoStarters does not add physical blocks, but you can bind any block (even invisible barriers) as a choice option.

Why is my choice not opening?

Check these things:

The mod is installed on both client and server.
The session exists in choice_sessions.json.
The choice exists inside that session.
The block was bound with /kantostarters set.
The player is not sneaking while right-clicking.
The session is enabled.
The player has not already completed a one-time session.
The config was reloaded after editing.

Why did my reward command not work?

Check the command syntax in choice_sessions.json.

Do not include a leading /.

Example:

"commands": [
  "give %player% minecraft:diamond 1"
]

Then run:

/kantostarters reload

Special Thanks

To everybody helping polish the CobbleKanto project and its custom mods.
To the Cobblemon community for inspiring more adventure-focused Minecraft experiences.

If you have ideas or feedback, you can share them through our public issue tracker or send a direct message to "cobblekanto" at Discord.

KantoStarters is an unofficial fan-made Minecraft mod.

This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or approved by Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc., The Pokémon Company, Mojang Studios, Microsoft, or the Cobblemon team.

Minecraft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Pokémon and related names are trademarks of their respective owners. Cobblemon belongs to its respective creators.

KantoStarters

Features

How It Works

Creating and Binding a Choice to a Block

Default Config

Choice Sessions

sessionId

enabled

oneTimeChoice

blockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon

textColour

secondConfirmLines

Choice Options

choiceId

displayName

previewSpecies

dialogId

dialogLines

itemRewards

previewScale, previewOffsetX, previewOffsetY

commands

Dialog Files

Dialog Formatting

Default Starter Screen Control

Commands

Recommended Uses

Known Issues

Compatibility & Dependencies

FAQ

Does KantoStarters work without Cobblemon?

Does this mod add new blocks or models?

Why is my choice not opening?

Why did my reward command not work?

Special Thanks

`sessionId`

`enabled`

`oneTimeChoice`

`blockIfAlreadyHasCobblemon`

`textColour`

`secondConfirmLines`

`choiceId`

`displayName`

`previewSpecies`

`dialogId`

`dialogLines`

`itemRewards`

`previewScale`, `previewOffsetX`, `previewOffsetY`

`commands`

KantoStarters for Cobblemon