Getting started

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Getting Started

This is a guide that will help you get started with Hardcore Alchemy before you are running the game.

Hardcore Alchemy is a somewhat lightweight 1.10.2 modpack with just under 100 mods. It is pre-configured to launch with 2.3GB RAM and various performance optimizations, and takes between 1-5 minutes to launch (roughly half the load time of Age of Engineering). The minimum allocation required to launch the pack semi-reliably is about 1.8GB.

Modpack Installation/Upgrade Guide

1. Install MultiMC/Java 8 if you don't have them already. See a lower section on how to install them.
2. Download the latest version of the modpack zip folder
3. Import the modpack zip file into MultiMC. This is done by clicking "Add Instance" in the upper left corner of the MultiMC window and selecting the import option. A new instance icon will appear labeled with "Hardcore Alchemy" plus the version number
4. If you are upgrading, right click the old instance and click, "Minecraft Folder". Do the same for the new instance. You should now see the minecraft/ folders for the two instances in your file browser. Copy your saves/ folder from the old folder to the new folder. You will probably also want to copy over options.txt to keep your keybindings, and the screenshots/ and backups/ folders according to your personal preference.
5. Launch the pack, by double-clicking on the modpack instance icon. You're off!
6. Check out the main guide by crafting two pieces of dirt together, or search for "The Traveling Alchemist" in JEI. The main guide is also available here on the wiki.
7. If having framerate issues, see a lower section on tips to improve framerate.

Using MultiMC/Java 8 for the first time

1. Install Java 8 from adoptium.net if you don't have it already
   • Write down where you install Java 8. You may need this info later if MultiMC doesn't detect your Java.
   • The vanilla Minecraft launcher uses a separate Java version that won't work with this guide
   • You most likely want x64. Otherwise, choose any installation method you prefer.
2. Install MultiMC from multimc.org
3. Launch MultiMC. If you have hybrid graphics, you should right click MultiMC and select to run with your dedicated GPU, if that option is available, so that Minecraft also runs with your dedicated GPU.
   • Note: If your computer is always using your dedicated graphics card, you don't have to configure graphics for MultiMC
4. Make sure MultiMC is using Java 8. If MultiMC does not detect Java, you will need to tell MultiMC where you installed it in the Settings menu (global settings).
   • The "Auto-detect" button will attempt to find Java, and give you a list of your current Java installations to choose from.
   • If you have to use different java versions for different modpacks, you can instead set the instance-specific java version, however you'll have to set this each time you update the modpack. After installing the modpack, right click the instance and click, "Edit Instance." The java installation can be changed in the "Settings" section, which works similar to the global settings.
5. (Linux only) (optional) Make sure MultiMC is always using your dedicated GPU. If you are using Linux and have a dedicated GPU available, there are ways to make Minecraft always use your dedicated GPU when running MultiMC. There are a few ways to do this.
   • Note: If your computer is always using your dedicated graphics card, you don't have to configure graphics for MultiMC
   • Wrapper command: A wrapper command can make Minecraft always use your dedicated GPU. You can change this in MultiMC's global settings or the instance settings
     • The following wrapper command works for Nvidia Optimus: sh -c "export __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1; export __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=\"nvidia\"; export __VK_LAYER_NV_optimus=\"NVIDIA_only\"; exec $INST_JAVA \"$@\""
   • .desktop file: The .desktop file format supports PrefersNonDefaultGPU=true, which can be used to make a multimc.desktop file run MultiMC with the dedicated GPU.

Troubleshooting framerate

Depending on your computer, you may not have the best framerate at first, but here are some ways to improve it, listed in order from recommended to last resort:

• If using a laptop, make sure the laptop is plugged in, and is using high performance energy settings.
• Make sure you are using your dedicated graphics card if you have one (press F3 to check). If not, then refer to the MultiMC guide above for how to use the correct graphics card with MultiMC.
• Disable clouds
• Change fancy graphics to fast
• Set mipmapping to 0 to disable (Note: Minecraft will freeze for a minute or two to update the graphics)
• Lower FPS down to 40 or 30 (especially on some laptops, this may reduce overheating)
• Decrease render distance to 5