Getting started

WARNING: A severe security problem in the Java library log4j has been found. In order to fix this security problem, please update MultiMC and restart MultiMC, to get an updated version of log4j with security mitigations. More information here. Please note that Hardcore Alchemy does not officially run on multiplayer (either LAN or dedicated), and has not been tested with other launchers besides MultiMC. Nevertheless, please do not even attempt to run Hardcore Alchemy on multiplayer, as it will immediately put your computers at risk of being hacked (UNLESS you are 100% sure that all computers involved are running a version of log4j that has the security patch. But seriously, do you really want to take that risk? Just don't do it). I will keep you informed if the security situation changes.

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 if you don't have it already. See a lower section on how to install MultiMC.
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, open the minecraft/ folder in your new instance, and copy your saves/ folder from the minecraft/ folder of your old instance. 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 in-game guide by crafting two pieces of dirt together. The guide is also available here on the wiki.
7. If having framerate issues, see a lower section on tips to improve framerate.

Using MultiMC for the first time

1. Install Java 8 if you don't have it already. (The vanilla Minecraft launcher uses a separate Java version that won't work with this guide).
2. Install MultiMC from multimc.org
3. Launch MultiMC. If you are using Windows 10 and have a dedicated GPU available, you should right click application icon, mouse over "Run with graphics processor," and select the best option (generally Nvidia or AMD) to make sure you are getting the best performance (this is because Windows 10 does not recognize MultiMC as game software).
   • 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 it is located. Ask a search engine "java installation location [your operating system]". Within MultiMC, click on the Settings button, go to the Java tab, and where it says "Java path," select the location of your java.exe or Mac/Linux equivalent.
5. (Linux only) Make sure MultiMC is using your dedicated GPU. If you are using Linux and have a dedicated GPU available, you may be able to make all instances launched from MultiMC use your dedicated GPU by changing your global wrapper command setting. Within MultiMC, click on the Settings button, go to the Custom Commands tab, and where it says, "Wrapper command," enter a command that will set up appropriate environment and then launch Java with the launch arguments provided by MultiMC. Examples below:
   • Nvidia Optimus - A correct wrapper command for Nvidia Optimus is: sh -c "export __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1; export __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=\"nvidia\"; export __VK_LAYER_NV_optimus=\"NVIDIA_only\"; exec $INST_JAVA \"$@\""
   • General - The general form of a wrapper command that does stuff and then launches the game will always include two parts: $INST_JAVA and @
     • $INST_JAVA is how MultiMC tells your command to launch Java
     • $@ is how MultiMC tells your command what java arguments to use to launch the game. It should usually be enclosed in quotes
   • Note: If your computer is always using your dedicated graphics card, you don't have to configure graphics for MultiMC

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