KantoStarters

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

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 does not add physical blocks of its own. Instead, it lets you bind existing blocks from your map to configured choices. Those choices 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.

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Features

• Custom starter and reward choice system
• Configurable choice sessions through JSON files
• Bind any normal Minecraft block 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 blocking if the player already has a Cobblemon
• Optional control over the default Cobblemon starter screen
• Language-based dialogue files for different player languages

System Overview

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.

Setup

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 choice 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" ] } ] }

Recommended setup order:

1. Create or edit the session in choice_sessions.json.
2. Create the sessionId and the choiceId.
3. Run /kantostarters reload.
4. Look directly at the block you want to bind.
5. Run /kantostarters set <sessionId> <choiceId>.
6. Test the choice with /kantostarters open <sessionId> <choiceId> if needed.

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

All setup commands require operator/admin permission.

Config Files

On first launch, KantoStarters creates its config files inside:

config/kantostarters/

Main files:

• choice_sessions.json
• choice_dialog_arrays_en_us.json
• choice_dialog_arrays_pt_br.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.

Sessions

Each session controls a group of related choices.

Example:

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

sessionId

The internal session name. It 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.

Choices

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.

Preview settings

previewScale, previewOffsetX, and previewOffsetY control 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

Dialogue Formatting

Dialogue 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." ] }

Starter Screen

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.

Use Cases

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.