---
title: How to Configure Pixelmon Move Skills
description: Field moves let Pokémon interact with the world in ways that go beyond battling. This guide explains every setting in external_moves.yml, including how moves like Cut, Dig, and Rock Smash work, along with cooldowns, foraging, and other overworld move mechanics on your Pixelmon server.
source: "https://nodecraft.com/support/games/minecraft/mods/pixelmon/how-to-configure-pixelmon-move-skills"
image: "https://dynamic-assets.nodecraft.com/signedurl/w7vokBAexMnVlnMZ1Q/image.jpg?modifications=W3sibmFtZSI6ImdhbWVfYmciLCJpbWFnZV91cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Ntcy1hLm5vZGVjcmFmdC5jb20vZi8xMzM5MzIvMjAwMHg1NTAvZGNiMGFkNjkzOC9jYXZlcy1hbmQtY2xpZmZzLXB0LTItMS0yLTAucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiZ2FtZV9sb2dvIiwiaW1hZ2VfdXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9jbXMtYS5ub2RlY3JhZnQuY29tL2YvMTMzOTMyLzM3NXgxNTAvM2MxZGIyYmFiNS9taW5lY3JhZnQucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiY3RhX3RleHQiLCJ0ZXh0IjoiQ3JlYXRlIHlvdXIgb3duIHNlcnZlciEifSx7Im5hbWUiOiJ0ZXh0IiwidGV4dCI6IkhvdyB0byBDb25maWd1cmUgUGl4ZWxtb24gTW92ZSBTa2lsbHMifV0&s=1288d64cb1d18f4ffb13f98a1566db93f0c943eb4165df721db903dcd55bae7f"
published: "2026-08-16T23:26:03.716Z"
updated: "2026-08-16T23:26:03.716Z"
---

# How to Configure Pixelmon Move Skills

Field moves let Pokémon interact with the world in ways that go beyond battling. This guide explains every setting in external_moves.yml, including how moves like Cut, Dig, and Rock Smash work, along with cooldowns, foraging, and other overworld move mechanics on your Pixelmon server.

The Move Skill section contains the options Pixelmon uses for this part of the server. Configure field move usage, cooldowns, Cut, Dig, Rock Smash, and foraging behavior.

## Pixelmon Move Skill Settings

The settings below are listed in the same order as they appear in external\_moves.yml. The table preserves each default and identifies the accepted value type. The Setting column shows a reader-friendly name first, followed by the matching external\_moves.yml key for reference.

| Setting and Config Key | Default and Accepted Values | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Allow External Moves** allow-external-moves | **Default:** true **Values:** true or false | Whether or not players are able to use Move Skills. |
| **Allow Destructive External Moves** allow-destructive-external-moves | **Default:** true **Values:** true or false | Whether or not players are allowed to use the following Move Skills: - cut - dig - explode - light fire - rock smash - thunder bolt |
| **Forage Chance** forage-chance | **Default:** 0.949999988079071 **Values:** decimal number | Higher values for better chances of obtaining item with Forage. |

## Important Move Skill Setting Notes

### Defaults and Value Types

Boolean toggles, numeric rates, timers, lists, and mappings use different value formats. Preserve the value type shown in the table and keep collection syntax intact when changing external\_moves.yml.

### Settings That Work Together

Several move skill options can affect the same outcome. Review related rates, limits, timers, and lists together before deciding that one value is responsible for a result.

### Testing Changes

- Change one related group of settings at a time so its effect is easy to measure.
- Test the result under the conditions affected by the setting, including relevant dimensions, player states, or encounter types.
- Keep a copy of the previous values so unexpected balance or performance changes can be reversed quickly.

## Final Thoughts

Move Skill settings are easier to balance when changes are deliberate and documented. Start with the defaults, adjust only what the server needs, and verify the result before moving on to the next group.