Top 5 Best Minecraft 1.21 Mods to Improve Combat

Here are the five best Minecraft mods for enhancing combat, based on their features, compatibility, and impact on gameplay.

Better Combat

This mod totally shakes up Minecraft’s fighting system, making it feel smooth and action-packed, like something out of Minecraft Dungeons. You can dual-wield weapons, pull off slick attack combos, and enjoy fancy animations that make every swing look cool. It’s got spot-on hit detection, reworked sweeping attacks, and plays nice with other mods like SimplySwords for even more weapon options. It’s super flexible, working in single-player or PvP, and supports recent versions like 1.21.1 on both Fabric and Forge.

Epic Fight

Epic Fight turns combat into a hardcore, Souls-like experience that’s intense and rewarding. It adds new weapons like katanas and spears, plus skills like dodging or guarding that you unlock with skill books. You’ve got to manage stamina for special moves, and every weapon feels unique with stuff like armor negation or impact stats. Toggle battle mode with ‘R’ for full-on modded combat. It’s Forge-only and sticks to newer versions like 1.18.2+, but it’s a game-changer for RPG fans.

Combat Roll

Combat Roll lets you dodge attacks like a pro, adding quick rolls to spice up fights. Just hit ‘R’ and a direction to roll, though it costs some hunger and has a four-second cooldown. It’s simple but makes combat feel more tactical, especially paired with mods like Better Combat. You also get three new armor enchantments to boost your rolls—more rolls, faster ones, or longer distance. It’s lightweight and works with recent Java Edition versions.

Expanded Combat

This mod beefs up your arsenal with new gear like arrow quivers, gauntlets, and tougher shields, plus a weapon progression system that keeps things interesting. It’s perfect if you want more variety without changing how vanilla combat feels. It slots in nicely with mods like Spartan Weaponry or Dungeons Gear and supports Minecraft 1.17 and up, making it a solid pick for gear-focused players.

Horse Combat Controls

Horse Combat Controls fixes the awkwardness of fighting on horseback. Hit ‘Y’ to lock your horse’s direction and freely aim your camera, so you can actually hit enemies with melee or ranged attacks without fumbling. It’s a niche mod but super handy if you like charging into battle on a horse. It works on Java Edition and pairs well with other combat mods for smoother mounted fights.