tModLoader A Challenging Journey

[MaxAstro]

Do you enjoy the grind-reducing aspects of Journey mode but wish it didn't trivialize so many aspects of the game? Have you ever wanted the convenience of infinite crafting materials without feeling quite so much like you are cheating?

That's the experience this mod aims to provide, overhauling Journey mode to be more of an alternative way of playing the game rather than an overpowered godmode. Instead of having everything you could ever want in the first ten minutes, A Challenging Journey requires you to earn many of the game's resources while still allowing you to have an infinite supply once you do.
(Disclaimer: Actual godmode is still available in this version of the mod, so you will require some self-control)

Features:
-Money isn't infinite; coins can't be researched, and researchable items can't be sold for coins. Purchase and reforge costs are unaffected, so money matters in Journey Mode!
-No easy item cascades; Crates, boss bags, extratinateable blocks, herb bags, etc. can't be researched.
-Fish can't be researched, meaning fishing is still a good source of money.
-(By default) potions and common potion ingredients can't be researched; earn those infinite buffs!
-Several configuration options to customize your playstyle - including a mode where coins can be researched, but only if you are fabulously wealthy!

Workshop link:

A Challenging Journey

Note:
It is strongly suggested to use JPAN's Upgraded Research mod alongside this one, along with Magic Storage (for storing nonresearchable items), and if you prefer, some form of infinite potion buff mod - I suggest Potion Mastery, personally.

It is not recommended to use Upgraded Research's Omnipotion, because it breaks food items by allowing multiple instances of Well Fed to stack.

 

[MaxAstro]

Version History

-Prismatic lacewing and truffle worm no longer blocked as critters, since they are more of boss summon items
-Permanent powerups (e.g. Vital Crystal) are no longer researchable but also have no sell value
-Vertebrae and rotton chunks are now considered potion ingredients (avoids infinite money exploit)
-Hallowed/Crimson/Corrupt sand and bones are no longer considered ammo
-Ale and bottled honey are no longer considered buff potions (avoids infinite money exploit)
-Pumpkin and cactus are now considered a potion ingredients (avoids infinite money exploit)
-(Calamity) Permanent powerups (e.g. Mushroom Plasma Root) are no longer researchable but also have no sell value
-(Calamity) Fixed the Prototype Plasma Drive Core and Draedon's Logs not being considered tech items

Spoiler: Older versions

8-5-2024 Version 0.5
-Excluded sand (and eutrophic/sulphurous sand, if you have Calamity) from being counted as ammo
-Flasks are no longer considered buff potions, due to how many have ingredients that need to be researchable
-All critters are now blocked from researching, mostly for consistency reasons and to avoid having a giant list of manual exclusions
-(Calamity) Fixed a couple tech stations being unintentionally researchable
-(Calamity) Ancient bone dust, demonic bone ash, stormlion mandibles, trapper bulbs, and piggies are now considered potion ingredients (avoids infinite money exploit)
-(Fargo) Excluded acorns from being counted as ammo

8-4-2024 Version 0.4
-Recall Potions, Teleport Potions, and Potions of Return are now considered buff potions
-Metal bars now have a base research count of 100, to encourage researching ores instead (use Upgraded Research!)
-Filled buckets are not researchable - use the endless buckets instead! (Or wet bombs I suppose)
-Ammo items (including fallen stars) now have a research value of 999, to make infinite ammo less trivial
-(Calamity) In keeping with the theme of Wulfrum being disposable scrap, Wulfrum items (except plating and furniture) are blocked from research
-(Calamity) Blood orbs are now considered potion ingredients
-(Fargo) Item-ized NPCs are blocked from being researched
-(Fargo) Rabies shot/vaccine counts as a buff potion

8-2-2024 Version 0.3
-Disabled research of golden critters, mostly so they can still be sold
-Disabled research of enemy banners, mostly as a step towards Fargo compatibility
-Note that detection of modded enemy banners only works in English for now

7-29-2024 Version 0.2
-Added Calamity support, disabling research of fish, grab bags, and Arsenal Lab materials/stations
-Added a compatibility option to allow Calamity Arsenal Lab materials and stations to be researched
-Internally changed how hardcoded non-researchable items are defined

7-29-2024 Version 0.1
-Initial release, no notes