More Control Over Horse Powers

We are approaching 60 total custom horses in the Ultimate Unicorn Mod, which is pretty awesome.  However, as I add new horses, and as I create new powers for horses (like Rainbow Smash's new Rainbow Beam power), I'm beginning to think that I need to add more options for controlling how your horse's powers work.

Naughty Destriers and Config Options

In the Minecraft Forum for the Ultimate Unicorn mod, I've also seen people asking for ways to keep destriers from breaking stuff.  To help with that issue, I added some new configuration options to allow you to make destriers (and other horses) nicer to the environment when they are not being ridden.  It occurs to me now that I should probably do the same with nightmares!

I don't think configuration options are enough, though.  I think when you're riding your horse, you should have a fine-grained control over how her powers work, and that goes beyond just throwing on some Horseshoes of Gentling.

Flame Auras

In particular, I find myself getting a little concerned whenever I see someone make a custom horse with the "Flame Aura" power.  It's an awesome power, but I often wonder if the person ordering knows what he is getting into, because the flame aura can burn up the player if he is not careful!  Sure, you're protected when you are riding your horse, but if you jump off, that aura is going to burn you, too!  (So put Horseshoes of Gentling on your horse before jumping off to turn that Flame Aura power off!)

The Solution - A Better Inventory Screen

The best idea I've come up with to improve the current situation is to modify the Magical Horse Inventory Screen.  I'm looking into adding checkboxes to the inventory screen so you can turn on and off the various powers your horse has.  Dangerous powers like Flame Aura will be turned off by default, and will deactivate if you jump off your horse.

This will take me a little time to put into the mod, but it's high on my priority list.

No one has complained about the Flame Aura yet, but I want to make sure that I'm giving people the best possible experience with my mod.  For those of you playing, I appreciate your support, and I hope you are enjoying the mod!

Please post a comment if you have anything to say about this issue!

New Minecraft Server Advice

First off, thank you all for your responses to my Minecraft server poll!

Due to the positive responses, I'm looking into what I need to do to run a Minecraft server.  I really want to provide a place for people to play with the Ultimate Unicorn Mod's multiplayer features, such as jousting, air battles,  and some new things I'm working on.

I'm looking into a lot of different options, including server hosts, different server types (such as prison servers, etc), and Forge mods to include alongside the Ultimate Unicorn Mod.

I've found a few interesting things, but I thought I'd start a conversation with the community to get an idea what you guys want.

So, what's your advice?  What kind of server do you want?  In your experience, which Forge Mods are particularly good or useful, especially on a multiplayer server?

If you've run a server, what server host do you like best?

I'll be in the comments, so please let me know what you think!

Ultimate Unicorn Server Poll

I've been asked to start up a public Minecraft server for the Ultimate Unicorn Mod, so people can more easily play with the multiplayer aspects of it. However, I'd like to check interest level before committing to doing so. Soooooo, here's a question for you!

If I started up a public server, would you play on it?

Alea, Typhon, and Velvet - Three Unique New Horses

Three unique new horses have arrived!

Wings, Horns, and Hooves: the Ultimate Unicorn Mod is proud to present:

Alea, Bringer of Dawn

Alea in flight

Alea is the Bringer of Dawn, the legendary protector of the realm against all evil that lurks in darkness.  She is a living myth, and daughter of the Sun itself.

Powers:

• Can summon the dawn (turn night to day) by flying high into the sky.
• Projectile Protection - Alea's aura protects her and nearby creatures (including her rider) from projectile weapons such as arrows, fireballs, etc.
• 2x Protection Aura power
• 1x Healing Horn power
• 2x Power Wing Buffet, but her wing buffet only pushes evil creatures.
• Can ascend and descend faster than all other winged horses.
• Immune to Fire

Typhon the Destroyer

Typhon, after busting down a mountain just for fun

Typhon is the product of the deranged experiments of the mad Doctor Ogrebaz.  Although Typhon was initially bred from magical horse stock, the mad doctor's tests have infused Typhon with destructive power and twisted him so that he is almost more monster than horse.  The doctor's experiments knew no bounds, even venturing into the forbidden realm of undeath.

Powers:

• Cataclysm Charge - When charging with his unicorn horn, Typhon can plow through dirt and stone in his way.
• Death Wind - Typhon's wing buffet power kills smaller animals (sheep, rabbits, etc.), but not bigger animals like horses.  It also raises zombies to fight for him (and more zombies are drawn to him the more animals he kills).
• 2x Power Stomp power
• 2x Power Wing Buffet power
• Immune to Fire

Velvet, Mystical Healer

Velvet, relaxing among the flowers

Velvet is the mystical healer of the lost forest of Averglen.  For long ages, she has watched over her forest and all of the animals that dwell within it.  Where she walks, flowers bloom and the land is healed, as are any injured animals that seek her assistance.  Over the years, her kind acts have gained her a following of forest animals who love her dearly and help her protect the land.

Powers:

• Aura of Life - causes grass and flowers to sprout and heals nearby animals and people.
• Gentle - doesn't hurt others when she rears up. 
• Velvet's Entourage - Velvet attracts nearby wildlife to follow her, in particular bunnies.
• 2x Healing Horn power
• Immune to Fire

Finding Them

Currently, you cannot find these horses in the wild (they do not spawn naturally).  However, you can summon them with a spawn egg, or with the following commands:

/summon Alea

/summon Typhon

/summon Velvet

Cheat codes can affect them, and they can pass on (some) of their traits to their offspring.  Name tags change their names, but do not apply custom unicorn designs (do not change their appearance or powers).

Dedication

These three horses were designed for three special people:

Alea was created for Mackenzie, who shares Alea's protective spirit.

Typhon was created for Colten, a destroyer in his own right!

Velvet was created for Kennedy, who loves baby animals as much as Velvet does.

Special thanks to Necole, who helped get this idea off the ground and provided much encouragement!