Set up OpenBlocks on Minecraft

OpenBlocks is the OpenMods team's grab bag of blocks and items, with no single theme. Its page calls it a random collection of blocks, some of which are not blocks at all. It needs the OpenModsLib library next to it, and both must be on the server and on every player's game.

Checked against OpenBlocks 1.8.1 and OpenModsLib 0.12.2 on Forge 1.12.2, October 2026.

Pick the version

The newest OpenBlocks file on CurseForge is OpenBlocks-1.12.2-1.8.1.jar, from April 2019. The project also keeps files for 1.11.2, 1.10.2, 1.7.10 and 1.6.4. The 1.12.2 build needs Forge 14.23.4.2705 or newer and OpenModsLib from 0.12.2 up to, but not including, 0.13. It is a Forge mod, so it does not run on Paper, Purpur or Fabric.

Install it

1. Open JAR Manager under More. Choose Forge under Server software and 1.12.2 under Minecraft version, then press Apply change. The panel picks Java 8 for you. Switching reinstalls the server and keeps your world, so make a backup first in the Backups tab.
2. Open Mods under Content and select the CurseForge chip in the source chip row at the top of the tab. Set Game version to 1.12.2, search for OpenBlocks and press Install on the result by OpenMods. If a result only links to CurseForge, its author only allows downloads there: download the file from that page and upload it to the mods folder with the File Manager.
3. If a window lists add-ons the mod needs, choose Install all. Otherwise search for OpenModsLib and install it yourself the same way.
4. Restart from the Console tab.

Open the Installed view afterwards. OpenBlocks and OpenModsLib should both be listed with no Failed to load badge. Change your Minecraft version or mod loader has the full version steps.

Players need it too

Each player installs the same OpenBlocks and OpenModsLib files for 1.12.2. Join a modded server from your launcher covers that side.

What it adds

The 1.12.2 files include Elevators, a Building Guide, Tanks, Flags, Bear Traps, Sponges, Item Cannons, Sprinklers, Fans, Targets, Vacuum Hoppers, Trophies, Paint Cans and Canvas blocks, a Hang Glider and a Sleeping Bag. It also adds a Grave block.

Graves and settings

When a player dies, the mod can place a Grave holding what they were carrying. The settings are in the openblocks.cfg file in the config folder. Stop the server and edit it in the File Manager. The grave options sit in a graves section:

• spawnSkeletons: true by default, so a grave can randomly spawn skeletons.
• storeContents: true by default, and it saves a copy of each grave's contents to a separate file.
• requiresGraveInInv: false by default. Set it to true and the player must carry a gravestone item, which is used up.
• destructiveGraves: false by default. When it is on, a grave may overwrite blocks if it finds no free space.
• spawnRange: 10 by default, the size of the cube the mod searches for a space.

If a player loses their items, an operator can restore them from a stored copy with the ob_inventory command. Its usage text reads ob_inventory store <player>, ob_inventory restore <player> <file> and ob_inventory spawn <file>, where the file name leaves off the inventory- start and the .dat end. It needs operator level 4. Run it from the Console (see Use your server console) or in the game with a leading slash.

Common problems

• The server stops at startup: read the last lines of the Console. Fix mod and plugin errors on Minecraft covers reading the log.
• A player is refused with a mod list error: their OpenBlocks or OpenModsLib file differs from the server's, or one is missing.
• The mod is not in the store: the Game version filter follows your server. Check it reads 1.12.2 and the CurseForge chip is selected.