MCPets & Grim AntiCheat Clash: Bug Report & Fix

Introduction

In this detailed bug report, we will discuss an incompatibility issue encountered between the MCPets plugin and the Grim AntiCheat system. This issue primarily affects Minecraft servers running both plugins, leading to unexpected teleportation of players after dismounting flying pets. This document aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the bug, including replication steps, affected versions, and potential causes. We will explore the implications of this issue for server administrators and players, and suggest possible solutions or workarounds. The goal is to address this incompatibility to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience for all users. This report serves as a crucial resource for developers and server operators looking to resolve this issue, offering insights into the technical aspects and practical impact of the bug.

Bug Description and Replication

The core issue revolves around players being teleported back to their initial pet mounting location or a nearby spot after dismounting a flying pet in MCPets while Grim AntiCheat is active. This unexpected behavior disrupts gameplay and can lead to player frustration. The teleportation occurs specifically after the player has flown a certain distance, approximately 30-100 blocks, away from the original mounting point. The exact distance doesn't seem to matter significantly; the problem arises once the player has moved a notable distance from where they first mounted the pet. This suggests that the issue is not directly tied to a specific coordinate or range, but rather to the act of moving a certain distance while mounted on a flying pet.

To replicate this bug, follow these steps:

1. Mount a flying pet using the MCPets plugin. This step is crucial as the issue is specific to flying pets. Ground-based pets do not seem to trigger the same behavior.
2. Fly the mounted pet a distance of approximately 30 to 100 blocks away from the initial mounting location. The exact distance can vary, but the issue consistently occurs after moving a noticeable distance.
3. Dismount the pet. This can be done either by pressing the shift key (the default dismount key) or by falling off the pet due to damage or other factors.

After completing these steps, the player will be unexpectedly teleported back to the location where they initially mounted the pet or a point close to it. This teleportation is the key symptom of the bug and can disrupt player movement and activities. This replication process clearly demonstrates the interaction between MCPets and Grim AntiCheat that leads to the problematic teleportation, providing a solid basis for further investigation and resolution.

Technical Details

Affected Versions

This bug has been observed in the following versions:

• Grim AntiCheat: Versions 2.3763-102b584 alpha and 2.3.72.
• Minecraft Server: Version 1.21.4.

These version details are critical for understanding the scope of the issue. The fact that the bug persists across multiple Grim AntiCheat versions (including an alpha version) suggests a more fundamental incompatibility rather than a version-specific glitch. The Minecraft server version being 1.21.4 narrows down the environment in which the bug occurs, helping developers focus their testing and debugging efforts. By identifying the specific versions involved, developers can create targeted fixes and ensure compatibility for the affected users. This information is also crucial for server administrators who need to determine whether their setups are vulnerable to this issue and plan accordingly.

Affected Platforms

The bug affects Bukkit-based servers. This is an important detail as it specifies the server platform where the incompatibility is occurring. Bukkit is a widely used server modification that allows for the implementation of plugins, making this issue relevant to a significant portion of the Minecraft server community. Knowing that the issue is specific to Bukkit helps narrow down the potential causes and solutions, as the platform has its own unique features and behaviors. This information also guides developers in focusing their efforts on the Bukkit API and its interactions with the plugins involved. Server administrators using other platforms, such as Spigot or Paper, which are based on Bukkit, may also experience similar issues, making this information broadly applicable within the Minecraft server ecosystem.

Plugins Involved

The following plugins are involved in this issue:

• Grim AntiCheat
• MCPets
• MythicMobs
• MythicLib
• ModelEngine

The interaction between these plugins is a key area for investigation. Grim AntiCheat is designed to prevent cheating, while MCPets allows players to have and ride pets. MythicMobs, MythicLib, and ModelEngine are often used together to create custom entities and models, which may be related to the pet mechanics. Understanding how these plugins interact is crucial for diagnosing the root cause of the bug. For example, Grim AntiCheat might be misinterpreting the movement or teleportation mechanics of MCPets as a cheat, leading to the player being teleported back. Alternatively, there could be a conflict in how these plugins handle player positions or entity interactions. By identifying all the involved plugins, developers can examine their code and interactions to pinpoint the source of the incompatibility.

Analysis of the Bug

This bug appears to be caused by a conflict between Grim AntiCheat's anti-teleportation or anti-cheating mechanisms and MCPets' pet mounting and dismounting system. Grim AntiCheat likely detects the player's movement while riding the pet as potentially illegitimate, especially after covering a certain distance. This triggers a corrective action, such as teleporting the player back to the original location, to prevent any perceived cheating. The fact that the teleportation occurs specifically after dismounting suggests that the dismount event may be a trigger for Grim AntiCheat's intervention.

The involvement of MythicMobs, MythicLib, and ModelEngine adds another layer of complexity. These plugins are often used to create custom entities with unique behaviors, and their interaction with MCPets could be a contributing factor. For example, the custom entity mechanics might not be fully compatible with Grim AntiCheat's detection algorithms, leading to false positives and the resulting teleportation. Alternatively, these plugins may modify player movement or position data in a way that triggers Grim AntiCheat's safeguards.

Possible causes for this behavior include:

• Grim AntiCheat incorrectly flagging the pet's movement or the player's position updates as suspicious.
• A conflict in how MCPets and Grim AntiCheat handle player teleportation or position updates.
• The custom entity mechanics introduced by MythicMobs, MythicLib, and ModelEngine interfering with Grim AntiCheat's cheat detection.
• A timing issue where Grim AntiCheat intervenes before MCPets can properly handle the dismount event.

To resolve this issue, a detailed examination of the code and configurations of Grim AntiCheat and MCPets is necessary. This includes analyzing how Grim AntiCheat detects and prevents cheating, how MCPets handles pet mounting and dismounting, and how these interactions may lead to the observed bug. It may also be necessary to investigate the roles of MythicMobs, MythicLib, and ModelEngine to determine if they contribute to the issue.

Impact on Players and Servers

The incompatibility between MCPets and Grim AntiCheat can significantly impact both players and server administrators. For players, the unexpected teleportation can be incredibly disruptive and frustrating. Imagine exploring the world on a flying pet, only to be suddenly teleported back to your starting point after dismounting. This not only interrupts gameplay but can also lead to loss of progress, as players may lose their way or be forced to redo sections of their journey. The issue can also create a sense of unease and distrust in the game, as players may worry about being randomly teleported at any time.

For server administrators, this bug presents a challenge in maintaining a smooth and enjoyable player experience. Players experiencing the teleportation issue may become dissatisfied and potentially leave the server. This can negatively impact the server's reputation and player base. Additionally, the bug can be difficult to diagnose and fix, as it involves complex interactions between multiple plugins. Server administrators may need to spend significant time and effort troubleshooting the issue, potentially disrupting other server activities. This can also lead to increased support requests and a greater workload for the administrative team. Therefore, resolving this incompatibility is crucial for maintaining a healthy and engaging server environment.

Proposed Solutions and Workarounds

Addressing the incompatibility between MCPets and Grim AntiCheat requires a multi-faceted approach, involving both short-term workarounds and long-term solutions. Here are some proposed steps:

1. Configuration Adjustments: Server administrators can start by adjusting the configuration settings of Grim AntiCheat to see if the issue can be mitigated. This might involve disabling certain anti-teleportation or movement-related checks that are falsely triggering the teleportation. However, this approach should be taken with caution, as disabling anti-cheat measures can potentially compromise the server's security. It's essential to carefully evaluate the trade-offs between bug prevention and cheat detection.

2. Plugin Updates: Ensuring that both MCPets and Grim AntiCheat are running on the latest versions is crucial. Plugin developers often release updates that include bug fixes and compatibility improvements. Updating to the newest versions can resolve known issues and may address the incompatibility directly. Server administrators should regularly check for updates and apply them as soon as possible.

3. Custom Patches or Modifications: If the issue persists despite configuration adjustments and updates, custom patches or modifications may be necessary. This involves modifying the code of either Grim AntiCheat or MCPets to prevent the conflict. This approach typically requires advanced technical skills and a thorough understanding of both plugins' codebases. It's often best left to experienced developers who can safely implement the changes without introducing new issues.

4. Temporary Workarounds: In the short term, players can use workarounds to minimize the impact of the bug. One workaround is to avoid flying long distances on pets or to dismount pets frequently to reset the teleportation trigger. Another approach is to use alternative transportation methods, such as teleportation commands or other plugins that provide travel options. These workarounds are not ideal, as they limit the use of pet travel, but they can help players avoid the frustrating teleportation issue while a permanent solution is developed.

5. Developer Collaboration: The most effective long-term solution is for the developers of Grim AntiCheat and MCPets to collaborate directly. By working together, they can identify the root cause of the incompatibility and develop a fix that addresses the issue at its core. This may involve changes to the code of either or both plugins to ensure seamless interaction and prevent conflicts. Collaboration between developers is essential for maintaining a healthy plugin ecosystem and providing the best possible experience for users.

Conclusion

The incompatibility between MCPets and Grim AntiCheat presents a significant challenge for Minecraft servers utilizing both plugins. The unexpected teleportation issue disrupts gameplay and can lead to player frustration. Understanding the bug's replication steps, affected versions, and potential causes is crucial for developing effective solutions.

While temporary workarounds can mitigate the issue, the most effective approach involves collaboration between the plugin developers to implement a comprehensive fix. Server administrators should also ensure they are using the latest versions of both plugins and consider configuration adjustments to minimize the impact of the bug.

Addressing this issue is essential for maintaining a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for players and ensuring the stability of Minecraft servers. By working together, the community can overcome this challenge and continue to enhance the Minecraft experience.

For more information on Minecraft plugins and server management, consider visiting the SpigotMC website.