I'd like to suggest adding a new gamerule called pvpLegacy that lets players and server owners switch between the modern 1.9+ cooldown combat and the classic pre-1.9 style — all in vanilla, no mods or plugins needed.
The problem
Since the 1.9 Combat Update in 2016, the community has been split. In 2026, players are still running old versions just for the combat feel, using third-party plugins like OldCombatMechanics, or hosting entirely separate servers. There is no built-in vanilla solution.
What I'm suggesting
/gamerule pvpLegacy true — enables legacy combat:
Attack speed restored to maximum (no cooldown)
Cooldown charge indicator hidden
Sword right-click block restored
Sweep attack disabled
Crits work without waiting for full charge
/gamerule pvpLegacy false (default) — keeps the current modern system exactly as it is today.
Why a gamerule?
It fits naturally alongside existing rules like naturalRegeneration and keepInventory. Server owners can set it once, singleplayer worlds can use it too, and nobody is forced into either system.
This is NOT asking to remove modern combat. It is asking for optional coexistence — the same philosophy Mojang already applies to other game mechanics.
The community has been asking for this for 10 years. A single gamerule toggle is the cleanest, least invasive solution possible.
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