Modular Force Field System in FTB StoneBlock 4

Modular Force Field System (MFFS) adds force fields, high-tech machinery and defensive measures to Minecraft. The pack includes version 5.4.44. Think of it as your base-security and base-building toolkit.^[1][2]

Force fields can keep intruders out of your house, build structures, make underwater bases or airlocks, exterminate approaching mobs, trap enemies, protect against ballistic missiles and even confiscate items from players. It is most commonly used in multiplayer, but it also helps in single-player.^[2]

How it works

Everything runs on Fortron, the energy MFFS machines use. A Coercion Deriver generates Fortron from FE energy, and a Fortron Capacitor distributes it to your other machines. Machines link up by sharing a frequency, which you can set with a Frequency Card.^[3][4][5]

The Force Field Projector makes the fields, with shapes picked from its modes and upgrades from its modules. The Interdiction Matrix handles defense, and the Biometric Identifier decides who is allowed through.^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

Where it fits in the pack

The pack's technology quest chapter takes you through the mod in this order:^[10]

1. Start with the Coercion Deriver in "Modular Force Field System" quest. It also appears as a task in the World Engine Tier 3 quest "Creating Fortron" quest.^[10][12]
2. Next come the Frequency Card in "System Frequency" quest, the Speed Module and Capacity Module in "Machine Upgrades" quest, and the Fortron Capacitor in "Storing Fortron" quest.^[10]
3. After the Capacitor, you get the Biometric Identifier with an Identification Card in "Biometric Identifier" quest, and the Force Field Projector in "Force Field Projector" quest.^[10]
4. The Interdiction Matrix follows in "Interdiction Matrix" quest, and its optional modules are covered in "Matrix Motivators" quest.^[10]
5. Projector modes and the Inverter Module are in "Define the Field" quest. More projector modules are in "Affecting the Area" quest and "Functional Forcefields" quest, and the scale, translation and rotation modules are in "A Matter of Size" quest.^[10]

The Infinite Power Card is a creative-only item that supplies infinite Fortron. In this pack it shows up as a task in the creative chapter quest "Ascension Tier 2 - Transcendent" quest, so don't plan your survival power around it.^[3][13]

MFFS adds force fields and the machines that power them. Everything runs on Fortron, a special energy that the Coercion Deriver produces and stores before passing it on. Here is the order I'd go in, so you never craft something you can't use yet.^[2][3]

Steel first

MFFS components are mainly made out of Steel Ingots. You get them in two simple steps: craft Steel Compound, then smelt it into an ingot. Steel is used for base components like the Focus Matrix and the Blank Card, as well as the force field machinery itself.^[11]

Base components

The Focus Matrix is the key base component. Most machines, modes and modules in this pack use it in their recipe.^[14]

9× Focus MatrixMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any redstone dust	any steel ingot	any redstone dust
any steel ingot	any diamond gem	any steel ingot
any redstone dust	any steel ingot	any redstone dust

Recipe id: mffs:focus_matrix

Next comes the Blank Card, which the Frequency Card and the Identification Card are made from. You'll want it soon.^[14]

Blank CardMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Paper	Paper	Paper
Paper	any steel ingot	Paper
Paper	Paper	Paper

Recipe id: mffs:blank_card

The last base part is the Battery. The Coercion Deriver, Fortron Capacitor and Force Field Projector recipes all use it.^[14]

BatteryMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Empty slot	any copper ingot	Empty slot
any iron ingot	any redstone dust	any iron ingot
any iron ingot	any coal	any iron ingot

Recipe id: mffs:battery

Make Fortron

The Coercion Deriver turns FE into Fortron. Connect it to an FE source and give it a Redstone signal, and it changes from red to blue when it is working. Putting Lapis Lazuli or Nether Quartz in the slot next to the arrow should increase Fortron output by about 20x. It is also the first quest of the technology chapter: "Modular Force Field System" quest.^[4][10]

Coercion DeriverMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Empty slot	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Battery	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:coercion_deriver

The Fortron Capacitor collects Fortron from the Deriver and passes it on to your other machines. Machines with the same frequency share Fortron, and by default a Capacitor reaches machines within 15 blocks. Its quest is "Storing Fortron" quest.^[3][5][10]

Fortron CapacitorMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
Focus Matrix	Battery	Focus Matrix
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:fortron_capacitor

Set the same frequency on the Deriver and the Capacitor by right-clicking each and typing a number. The easier way is a Frequency Card: shift-right-click the machine while holding it. It has its own quest too: "System Frequency" quest.^[4][5][10]

Frequency CardMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any gold ingot

Blank Card

any gold ingot

Recipe id: mffs:frequency_card

Your first force field

The Force Field Projector is the machine that actually makes the field. Link it to your Capacitor with the matching frequency, then power it with a Redstone signal. The quest is "Force Field Projector" quest.^[10][15]

Force Field ProjectorMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Empty slot	any diamond gem	Empty slot
Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix
any steel ingot	Battery	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:projector

The Projector also needs a shape. Cube Mode is the simplest: right-click the Projector and put it in the central slot. By default it gives a cube exactly 1 block thick.^[15][16]

Cube ModeMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

9 × Focus Matrix

Recipe id: mffs:cube_mode

To make the field bigger, craft Scale Module items and put them in the left-hand slot matrix of the Projector. Each one increases the radius by one block. The number at the bottom of the GUI shows how much Fortron the field needs to stay up.^[15][16]

2× Scale ModuleMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Focus Matrix

Empty slot

Focus Matrix

Recipe id: mffs:scale_module

Everything in this mod runs on one idea: Fortron. A Coercion Deriver makes it, a Fortron Capacitor shares it, and every other machine (projectors, the Interdiction Matrix and so on) draws on it. Once you get that chain, the rest falls into place.^[3][4][5]

Fortron and frequencies

Fortron is the energy MFFS machines use. It is produced and stored first by the Coercion Deriver, then handed on to other machines by the Fortron Capacitor. Fortron can also exist as a liquid, so you can pump it out of a Capacitor and handle it like Water or Lava.^[3]

Machines only share Fortron when they are on the same frequency. You set it by right-clicking the machine and typing a number, or by shift-right-clicking the machine while holding a Frequency Card. A Frequency Card can also generate a random frequency if you shift-right-click with it in your hand.^{[4][5][17][18]}

Coercion Deriver

The Deriver turns FE into Fortron. Connect it to an FE source and give it a Redstone signal. It changes from red to blue once it is running.^[4]

Coercion DeriverMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Empty slot	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Battery	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:coercion_deriver

• Boosting: put Lapis Lazuli or Nether Quartz in the slot next to the arrow. The guide says this should raise Fortron output by about 20x.^[4]
• Modes: it starts in Derive, which converts FE into Fortron. The toggle in the middle of the GUI switches it to Integrate, which runs in reverse and turns Fortron back into FE.^[4]
• Upgrades: a Speed Module increases the boost you get from Lapis or Quartz, and a Capacity Module increases how much Fortron it can store.^[4]

Fortron Capacitor

The Capacitor is the hub. It collects Fortron from Derivers and moves it to machines that need it. Capacitors use frequency 0 by default, and they need a Redstone signal to switch on (red to blue). Once active, they transfer Fortron between machines on the same frequency within range, which is 15 blocks by default.^[5]

Fortron CapacitorMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
Focus Matrix	Battery	Focus Matrix
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:fortron_capacitor

• Scale Module: each one adds 1 block to the default 15 block range.^[5]
• Speed Module: each one raises the transfer rate by 50 FE.^[5]
• Capacity Module: raises how much Fortron the Capacitor can store.^[5]

Force Field Projector

The Projector uses Fortron to create fields. Link it to a nearby Capacitor by frequency, then put a projector mode item in the central red slot. Each Scale Module in the left-hand matrix slots adds one block to the field radius. The number at the bottom of the GUI shows how much Fortron it takes to sustain the current size and shape. Give it a Redstone signal and it turns blue and starts projecting, as long as it has enough Fortron.^[15]

The mode items you can use are Cube Mode, Cylinder Mode, Sphere Mode, Pyramid Mode, Tube Mode and Custom Mode. Cube, Cylinder and Tube let you drop a Scale Module into a directional slot to grow the field by 1 block in that direction only. In Pyramid Mode, left, right, front and back slots grow the field in both opposing directions, while up and down grow it one way.^{[16][19][20][21][22][23]}

Custom Mode copies a shape from the world. Use it on two blocks to set the primary and secondary positions, then use it while sneaking to analyse and save everything between them. Translation Modules offset where the field appears, 1 block per module, and Rotation Modules rotate it.^[19][24][25]

Other projector modules change what the field does. A Speed Module speeds up projection. The Camouflage Module disguises the field as a block you place in the matrix. The Disintegration Module breaks blocks in the way of the field. The Shock Module damages anything that touches the field, with half a heart more per module. A Sponge Module removes fluids inside the field.^{[15][26][27][28][29]}

Item handling and automation

Several modules pull from or push into neighbouring inventories.^[30][31][32]

• Stabilization: with a Stabilization Module installed, put a chest on any side of the Projector that contains the required blocks. The Projector uses blocks from adjacent chests in the order they appear, so a mixed chest gives a mixed structure. It replaces the field with real blocks and rebuilds them if they are broken, as long as it has power and blocks.^[32]
• Stabilizing a Custom Mode pattern works differently: the Projector only takes block types that match the original pattern and places each one exactly where it belongs. If it runs out of a matching type, it pauses until you supply more.^[32]
• Collection: a Collection Module used with a Disintegration Module collects the items from destroyed blocks into inventories around the Projector.^[27][31]
• Confiscation: items taken by a Confiscation Module go into inventories adjacent to the Interdiction Matrix.^[30]

Interdiction Matrix and security

The Interdiction Matrix has two regions. The action region reaches out as many blocks as you have Scale Modules installed. By default, the warning region adds another 3 blocks beyond it. With no modules it does nothing. Its modules decide what it does to players and mobs.^[9]

• Anti-Hostile Module, Anti-Friendly Module and Anti-Personnel Module kill hostile mobs, friendly mobs, or unauthorised players that enter the scanning range.^[33][34][35]
• Anti-Spawn Module stops hostile or friendly entities from spawning in the action area.^[36]
• Block Access Module stops unauthorised players opening GUIs on blocks in the action range, and Block Alter Module stops them placing or breaking blocks.^[37][38]
• The Confiscation Module's Filter Mode is Banned by default. Banned takes only the items in the 9 slots, or everything if the slots are empty. Allowed lets players keep only the listed items, or keep everything if the slots are empty.^[30]

The Biometric Identifier decides who is exempt. You put an Identification Card assigned to a player in the Rights slot, toggle the permissions, then move the card into one of the 9 slots at the bottom. Permissions include Warp, Block Alter, Block Access, Configure, Bypass Defense, Bypass Confiscation and Remote Control. The master card holder gets every permission, and the Identifier needs a Redstone signal or the Redstone Torch button to take effect.^[8]

The Remote Controller opens a machine's GUI from a distance. Set its frequency by placing it in the machine's frequency slot, then shift-right-click the machine to link it. It needs no charging, but it draws on Fortron from a nearby machine on the same frequency, so it fails if there is not enough.^[39]

What this pack changes

• The pack tags the MFFS Fortron fluid as a Fortron fluid, and its Enderic Infuser (a Custom Machinery machine) uses it as an input in its recipes, with amounts of 4,000, 36,000 and 1,000.^[40][41]
• The pack removes MFFS's own Steel Compound and Steel Ingot items and recipes. The recipes written out for this mod use any steel ingot from the steel ingot tag instead, so the in-game guide's steps for making steel do not apply here.^[11][14][42]
• You can craft the in-game guide book by combining a book with a Focus Matrix.^[43]

MFFS has one quest line in this pack, in the technology chapter, and it is a clean tree: power first, then force fields, then security. Every branch starts from the Coercion Deriver.^[10]

Step 1: Power with Fortron

Fortron is the energy MFFS machines run on. The Coercion Deriver produces and stores it, turning FE into Fortron, and the Fortron Capacitor then passes it on to your other machines.^[3][4]

The root quest "Modular Force Field System" quest is simply crafting the Coercion Deriver. Right after it, "System Frequency" quest asks for the Frequency Card, "Machine Upgrades" quest asks for the Speed Module and Capacity Module, and "Storing Fortron" quest asks for the Fortron Capacitor.^[10]

The Focus Matrix is a key crafting component. The in-game guide describes it as the plate used for crafting Projector Modes, Projector Modules and machines, so make a few.^[44]

9× Focus MatrixMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any redstone dust	any steel ingot	any redstone dust
any steel ingot	any diamond gem	any steel ingot
any redstone dust	any steel ingot	any redstone dust

Recipe id: mffs:focus_matrix

Coercion DeriverMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Empty slot	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
any steel ingot	Battery	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:coercion_deriver

Fortron CapacitorMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot
Focus Matrix	Battery	Focus Matrix
any steel ingot	Focus Matrix	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:fortron_capacitor

To link a Deriver to a Capacitor, give them the same frequency. You can type the number into the GUI, or shift-right-click the Deriver while holding a Frequency Card. In a Deriver, the Speed Module increases the boost you get from Lapis Lazuli or Nether Quartz, and the Capacity Module increases how much Fortron it can store.^[4]

Step 2: Force fields

Once the Capacitor quest is done, the Force Field Projector quest "Force Field Projector" quest opens. Several more quests branch off it.^[10]

Force Field ProjectorMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Empty slot	any diamond gem	Empty slot
Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix
any steel ingot	Battery	any steel ingot

Recipe id: mffs:projector

• "Define the Field" quest asks for any one projector mode (Cube Mode, Sphere Mode, Tube Mode, Pyramid Mode, Cylinder Mode or Custom Mode) plus an Inverter Module.^[10]
• "A Matter of Size" quest follows that one and wants the Scale Module, Translation Module and Rotation Module. The Scale Module is the one that increases force field size.^[10][45]
• "Affecting the Area" quest accepts any one of the Disintegration Module, Sponge Module, Stabilization Module or Collection Module.^[10]
• "Functional Forcefields" quest accepts any one of the Dome Module, Camouflage Module, Shock Module, Glow Module or Silence Module.^[10]

Some recipes build on earlier items. The Translation Module needs a Scale Module, the Cylinder Mode needs a Sphere Mode, and the Custom Mode needs several other modes.^[14]

Step 3: Security

The security branch also hangs off the Capacitor quest. "Biometric Identifier" quest asks for the Biometric Identifier and an Identification Card. The Identifier uses the cards to decide what each player may do around force fields and MFFS machines, and the master card holder gets every permission.^[8][10]

After that, "Interdiction Matrix" quest asks for the Interdiction Matrix. The last quest in the line, "Matrix Motivators" quest, accepts any one Interdiction Matrix module: Warn Module, Block Access Module, Block Alter Module, Anti-Friendly Module, Anti-Hostile Module, Anti-Personnel Module, Anti-Spawn Module or Confiscation Module.^[10]

Interdiction MatrixMod recipe

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Shock Module	Shock Module	Shock Module
Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix	Focus Matrix
Focus Matrix	Ender Chest	Focus Matrix

Recipe id: mffs:interdiction_matrix

Shock ModuleChanged by the pack

Crafting Shaped

Crafting Shaped

Focus Matrix

any diamond gem

Focus Matrix

Recipe id: mffs:shock_module

This recipe is changed by the pack.

Beyond the quests

The Field Fusion Module, Reinforcement Module and Remote Controller all have in-pack recipes, but none of them is a task in the technology chapter.^[10][14]

The Infinite Power Card is a creative-only Fortron source. It is a task in the creative chapter quest "Ascension Tier 2 - Transcendent" quest and in the thebackrooms chapter quest a quest in "Backstage". The Coercion Deriver also turns up in the creative chapter quest "Infinity Power Card" quest and in the world engine tier 3 chapter quest "Creating Fortron" quest.^{[3][12][13][46]}

Most of this mod's links to the rest of the pack come through one thing: Fortron Fluid. Fortron normally powers MFFS machines, and it can exist as a liquid that you pump out of a Fortron Capacitor like water or lava. In this pack, a lot of other mods' recipes use that liquid as an ingredient.^[3][14]

Fortron as a crafting ingredient

The pack adds its own Enderic Infuser recipes that use Fortron fluid. They cover the Fortron-Infused Ingot, the Fortron Infused Block and the Enderium Ingot. The ingot also has a World Engine recipe, which you can see below.^[14]

Fortron fluid also shows up all over the pack's World Engine recipes. Here are the groups that connect to other mods:^[14]

• Avaritia progression: there are Fortron recipes for the Infinity Ingot, Infinity Catalyst, Infinity Singularity, Endest Pearl, Neutronium Compressor and Neutron Collector. The Infinity tools and armor have them too, and those recipes also bring in ProjectE Red Matter gear.^[14]
• Food: Cosmic Meatballs and Ultimate Stew have Fortron recipes that bring in Farmer's Delight stews and the Productive Metalworks Meat Ingot.^[14]
• Refined Storage: the Infinite Energy, Soul and Source storage parts, such as Infinite Energy Storage Part, each have a Fortron recipe.^[14]
• Draconic Evolution: the Dragon Heart and the Dislocator Pedestal have Fortron recipes that use items from several other mods, including ProjectE.^[14]
• Time and Oritech: the Time Crystal, Chronon Resonator, Resonant Void and Tachyon Absorber all have Fortron recipes.^[14]
• Pack-specific items: Euphonium also has a Fortron recipe, and so does Infinity Ingot, which additionally uses the Fortron-Infused Ingot.^[14]

The MFFS guide book

The pack adds a shapeless crafting recipe that turns a Focus Matrix and a vanilla book into a Patchouli Guide Book.^[14]

Guide BookAdded by the pack

Crafting Shapeless

• Book
• Focus Matrix

Recipe id: ftb:crafting/mffs/guide_book

Quests that cross over

The MFFS questline in the technology chapter only asks for MFFS items. Examples are the Coercion Deriver, Fortron Capacitor and Force Field Projector, all the way up to the Interdiction Matrix modules.^[10]

The mixing happens in other chapters. The creative chapter's quest "Infinity Power Card" quest asks for the Coercion Deriver, Blank Card and Focus Matrix together with items from Avaritia, Immersive Engineering and Mekanism. Quest "Ascension Tier 2 - Transcendent" quest asks for the Infinite Power Card next to creative items from many other mods, and the backrooms chapter has the same task list in quest a quest in "Backstage". The Coercion Deriver also appears as a task in the World Engine tier 3 chapter, in quest "Creating Fortron" quest.^[12][13][46]

The quests for this mod are spread over four chapters. The main one is "technology", which has a chain of quests covering the mod's items. The other three only ask for a few of them. The quests have no titles in the pack files, so I refer to them by quest ID.^{[10][12][13][46]}

Technology chapter

The chain starts with quest "Modular Force Field System" quest, which asks for the Coercion Deriver. Three quests unlock right after it.^[10]

• "System Frequency" quest asks for the Frequency Card.^[10]
• "Machine Upgrades" quest asks for both the Speed Module and the Capacity Module.^[10]
• "Storing Fortron" quest asks for the Fortron Capacitor. The rest of the chapter continues from this one.^[10]

Two branches open after the Fortron Capacitor quest. One goes through the Biometric Identifier and the Interdiction Matrix. The other goes through the projector and its modules.^[10]

Biometric Identifier and Interdiction Matrix branch

1. "Biometric Identifier" quest asks for the Biometric Identifier and the Identification Card.^[10]
2. "Interdiction Matrix" quest asks for the Interdiction Matrix.^[10]
3. "Matrix Motivators" quest lists these modules joined by "or": Warn Module, Block Access Module, Block Alter Module, Anti-Friendly Module, Anti-Hostile Module, Anti-Personnel Module, Anti-Spawn Module and Confiscation Module.^[10]

Projector branch

Quest "Force Field Projector" quest asks for the Force Field Projector. Three quests unlock after it.^[10]

• "Define the Field" quest lists the modes Cube Mode, Sphere Mode, Tube Mode, Pyramid Mode, Cylinder Mode and Custom Mode joined by "or", plus the Inverter Module. After it, "A Matter of Size" quest asks for the Scale Module, Translation Module and Rotation Module.^[10]
• "Affecting the Area" quest lists the Disintegration Module, Sponge Module, Stabilization Module and Collection Module joined by "or".^[10]
• "Functional Forcefields" quest lists the Dome Module, Camouflage Module, Shock Module, Glow Module and Silence Module joined by "or".^[10]

Other chapters

The "creative" chapter has quest "Infinity Power Card" quest. It asks for the Coercion Deriver, the Blank Card and the Focus Matrix, along with items from other mods.^[13]

Quest "Ascension Tier 2 - Transcendent" quest in the same chapter depends on that quest among several others. It asks for the Infinite Power Card alongside a set of creative items from other mods. The "thebackrooms" chapter has quest a quest in "Backstage", which asks for that same list of items, including the Infinite Power Card.^[13][46]

Finally, the World Engine tier 3 chapter has quest "Creating Fortron" quest, which asks for the Coercion Deriver again.^[12]