Mob Catcher (1.21.8 NeoForge) — Unofficial Backport

Catch any mob with a net — and throw the net, or the mob, wherever you want.

An unofficial backport of Mob Catcher by Tfarcenim to Minecraft 1.21.8 (NeoForge) — a version the original mod does not currently support.

✨ Features

• Capture almost any mob with the Mob Capture Device — just right-click the mob
• Release mobs by right-clicking a block with a filled device
• Capture from a distance with the Mob Capture Device Launcher
• Two launcher modes: Capturing fires empty devices at mobs, Releasing fires filled devices into the world — toggle by sneaking + right-clicking the launcher
• Works on Endermen. Yes, really.
• Dispenser support — set up automatic mob-catching contraptions
• Mobs keep all of their saved data when captured and released: health, name, custom NBT, and everything else
• Captured mobs are shown in the item's name and tooltip (entity type + health)
• Simple, vanilla-friendly crafting recipes

📦 Items

Mob Capture Device

Right-click most entities to capture them inside. Right-click again on a block to release the mob. The tooltip shows the captured entity and its health.

Mob Capture Device Launcher

A long-range device for capturing or releasing mobs from afar. The active mode is indicated in the item name and tooltip:

• Capturing mode — fires any empty device from your inventory at the entity you aim at. If the entity can be captured, it is stored in the net; otherwise the net just drops as an item.
• Releasing mode — fires any filled device from your inventory. The mob spawns wherever the net lands, with all of its saved data intact.
• Sneak + right-click to switch between modes.

Hold right-click to draw the launcher, release to fire. Longer charge = more velocity.

🛠️ Crafting

Mob Capture Device

[ ]  [Iron Ingot]  [ ]
[Iron Ingot] [Ender Pearl] [Iron Ingot]
[ ]  [Iron Ingot]  [ ]

Mob Capture Device Launcher

[Iron Ingot] [Iron Ingot]  [Iron Ingot]
[ ]  [Bow] [Ender Pearl]
[Iron Ingot] [Iron Ingot]  [Iron Ingot]

(Any iron ingot works — the recipes use the #c:ingots/iron tag.)

⚙️ Compatibility

❓ FAQ

Which mobs can be captured? Most living entities can be captured. Players and entities in the mobcatcher:blacklisted tag (e.g. paintings, everything in #c:capturing_not_supported) cannot be captured. You also can't capture mobs that are riding something or being ridden.

Does the launcher work in capture mode without a net in hand? Yes — it pulls any empty device from your inventory (off-hand, main hand, then the rest of the inventory).

Do captured mobs keep their data? Yes. Names, health, custom data — everything is preserved and restored on release.

📄 License & Credits

Original mod: Mob Catcher by Tfarcenim
Original source: https://github.com/Tfarcenim/Mob-Catcher
Original license: The Unlicense (public domain dedication), as declared in the original project's metadata and on its CurseForge page.

This 1.21.8 backport is unofficial and was not made, endorsed, or approved by the original author. It is permitted under the terms of The Unlicense, which dedicates the original code and assets to the public domain and allows anyone to use, modify, and redistribute them for any purpose, without permission or attribution requirements.

Credit goes to Tfarcenim for the original mod, code and assets. If you enjoy this port, please also check out and support the original Mob Catcher. ^^