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Obsidian Compass project artwork

Modrinth · Minecraft mod

Obsidian Compass

A datapack introducing a new compass to help perfectly link nether portals together.

Choose a version Pick your version below, then grab the matching file.

Quick answer

Which Obsidian Compass release should I use?

Updated 8 months ago
Latest stable file v1.1+1.21.11+mod
Game version 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.1.1
Loader Fabric, Forge, NeoForge

Obsidian Compass v1.1+1.21.11+mod targets 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.1.1 with Fabric, Forge, NeoForge. Installation on the client is optional. Installation on the dedicated server is optional. No extra mods listed for this file.

Where it goes

Is Obsidian Compass required on the client, server, or both?

Installation on the client is optional. Installation on the dedicated server is optional.

Client Optional
Dedicated server Optional
Loader for this release Fabric, Forge, NeoForge
Required install it here Optional supported, not mandatory Not supported do not install here Source doesn’t say do not assume

The source marks this as usable on both the client and server.

What else does Obsidian Compass v1.1+1.21.11+mod need?

v1.1+1.21.11+mod. Change the file and its required mods may change too.

No extra mods listed for this file

This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

This file does not list any required or optional mods.

Before you install it

Add Obsidian Compass without breaking your instance.

Built for Obsidian Compass v1.1+1.21.11+mod. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.

  1. 01

    Stick to this file

    Use v1.1+1.21.11+mod. It targets 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.1.1 with Fabric, Forge, NeoForge; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.

  2. 02

    Bring the mods it needs

    This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

  3. 03

    Put it on the correct side

    Installation on the client is optional. Installation on the dedicated server is optional.

  4. 04

    Pick the file you checked

    Use the “Get this file” button beside v1.1+1.21.11+mod. It opens that exact file at the source.

About this project

What does Obsidian Compass add?

Obsidian Compass

A datapack which introduces a new compass to help perfectly link portals together without the use of coordinates.

Why use this datapack?

Minecraft is mostly playable without coordinates. Either by never using the F3 screen or by taking advantage of the reducedDebugInfo gamerule, you can navigate the world long-term just fine by counting or estimating blocks, building roads, and making use of maps with banners and compasses with lodestones to give yourself waypoints.

Unfortunately, linking two nether portals together so that they'll consistently connect to each other in both directions always requires using coordinates and doing math in order to get the relative locations exactly right.

A particular favorite mod of mine, Portal Linking Compass, solves this problem very elegantly by introducing a compass that points you in the right direction. This is my take on the same concept using only vanilla mechanics.

How to use:

Step 0:

Ensure you've got the datapack installed. If you'd like the fancy textures, ensure the resource pack is enabled.

Step 1:

Craft an obsidian compass using four obsidian and one blaze powder.

The crafting recipe for an obsidian compass: four obsidian and one blaze powder.

Step 2:

Enter any nether portal, from either the nether or the overworld. Ensure the portal you're going into is the portal you would like to stay where it is.

A player with an obsidian compass standing in the nether

An obsidian compass in your inventory will always point towards the coordinates of the last portal you left through, translated relative to the dimension you're currently in. Simply follow the compass to the spot it's pointing and build your linked portal.

Project description from Modrinth.

Pick your setup

Obsidian Compass by Minecraft version and loader

Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.

27 available setups

Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.

Recent files

Obsidian Compass versions and loaders

3 of 3 releases match

Looking for an older file? The official Modrinth project page is in Resources.