---
title: "EliteSpawner Custom Spawner Types: Loot Tables and Prices"
description: "Create custom EliteSpawner mob and item spawners in YAML: loot tables, experience, drop chance math, custom items, icons and sell prices."
url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-custom-spawner-types-loot-tables"
updated: "2026-10-28T18:36:40.919081+00:00"
source: "ZCraft Studios"
---

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# EliteSpawner Custom Spawner Types: Loot Tables and Prices

ZCraft StudiosOct 28, 2026

Create custom EliteSpawner mob and item spawners in YAML: loot tables, experience, drop chance math, custom items, icons and sell prices.

## In this guide

- [Where spawner types live](#where-spawner-types-live)
- [Example type](#example-type)
- [Type fields](#type-fields)
- [Loot entries](#loot-entries)
- [Design tiers of spawners](#design-tiers-of-spawners)
- [Custom items and icons](#custom-items-and-icons)
- [Sell prices](#sell-prices)
- [Apply and test changes](#apply-and-test-changes)
- [Translate messages and edit menus](#translate-messages-and-edit-menus)
- [Common mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
- [Related reading](#related-reading)
- [More guides](#more-guides)

## EliteSpawner Custom Spawner Types: Loot Tables and Prices

**Quick answer:** custom spawners are defined in `mob_spawners.yml` and `item_spawners.yml`. Each type has a name you choose, a mob or item, an experience range, a `drop_chance` and a `loot` table with its own `chance` per entry. Edit the file, run `/esp reload`, and every placed spawner of that type updates immediately.

_Disclosure: the buy link in this post is a referral link, so ZCraft Studios may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Examples follow the developer's documentation, last checked October 2026\. EliteSpawner is in early access (v0.1.0), so file formats may change._

**[Get EliteSpawner on BuiltByBit](https://builtbybit.com/resources/elitespawner-ui-based-virtual-spawners.125131/?ref=662024)**

## Where spawner types live

| File               | Contains                        |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| mob\_spawners.yml  | Mob spawner types, using entity |
| item\_spawners.yml | Item spawner types, using item  |

Both use the same format. The type name is what shows up in commands and tab completion, for example `/esp give <player> mob elite_zombie`.

Types are names, not mobs. `zombie` and `elite_zombie` can both be zombies with different loot, experience and drop chance, and you can have as many variants as you want.

## Example type

```
elite_zombie:
  entity: ZOMBIE
  experience: "15-25"
  drop_chance: 100
  icon:
    item: IRON_SWORD
  loot:
    1:
      item: IRON_SWORD
      amount: 1
      chance: 8
      durability: "20-80"
    2:
      item: EMERALD
      amount: "1-3"
      chance: 15
```

Every cycle this spawner gives 15 to 25 experience, has an 8% chance to produce a worn iron sword, and a 15% chance to produce one to three emeralds.

## Type fields

| Field        | Type                | Meaning                                     |
| ------------ | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| entity       | EntityType          | The mob for a mob spawner                   |
| item         | Material            | The item for an item spawner                |
| experience   | number or "min-max" | Experience per cycle                        |
| drop\_chance | 0 to 100            | Whether the loot table is rolled this cycle |
| icon         | section             | The menu icon                               |
| loot         | section             | The loot entries                            |

## Loot entries

| Field      | Type                | Meaning                                 |
| ---------- | ------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| item       | string              | A vanilla material or a custom item ID  |
| amount     | number or "min-max" | How many items                          |
| chance     | 0 to 100            | Chance for this entry on its own        |
| durability | number or "min-max" | Optional durability for tools and armor |

### How drop\_chance and chance combine

`drop_chance` decides whether the loot table is rolled at all. Then each entry's `chance` is checked on its own. With `drop_chance: 50` and an entry at `chance: 50`, that item drops about a quarter of the time.

Use this to estimate value per cycle:

```
expected items per cycle = drop_chance% x chance% x average amount
```

Example for the emerald entry above, with `drop_chance: 100`:

```
1.00 x 0.15 x 2 (average of 1-3) = 0.30 emeralds per cycle
```

Multiply by the cycle rate, stack size and bonuses to compare spawner types. Check the actual rate with `/esp debug`.

## Design tiers of spawners

| Tier           | Idea                                                                                                             |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Basic          | Common drops, low experience, cheap to obtain                                                                    |
| Elite          | Better drop chance and a rare item                                                                               |
| Event          | Limited-time spawners for seasonal events. See [Seasonal Events](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/running-minecraft-server-seasonal-events) |
| Store or crate | Spawners as rewards. See [Pouch Currency and Rewards](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-currency-pouches-setup)                    |

Use the same naming style across types so staff and players can learn them. See [Keeping a Server Consistent](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/keeping-minecraft-server-consistent-as-it-grows).

## Custom items and icons

Any `item`, in loot or in an icon, can be a custom item instead of a vanilla one. EliteSpawner supports Nexo and ItemsAdder items by ID, and the docs show the exact syntax for each. See [ItemsAdder Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/itemsadder-custom-items-blocks-setup).

For a custom head icon, use `PLAYER_HEAD` and add `skull_texture`:

```
icon:
  item: PLAYER_HEAD
  skull_texture: "<base64 value>"
```

`skull_texture` needs the complete base64 value from a head site, not just the texture hash, and it only works when `icon.item` is `PLAYER_HEAD`.

## Sell prices

Selling uses Vault with optional live pricing from EconomyShopGUI or ShopGUI+. Without them, EliteSpawner uses its own price list in `prices.yml`. Every item a spawner can generate needs a price somewhere, or players cannot sell it. See [EliteSpawner Integrations](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-integrations-vault-shopgui-mysql) and [ShopGUIPlus Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/shopguiplus-gui-shop-setup).

## Apply and test changes

1. Edit the YAML file and keep indentation consistent. See [Plugin Config Review](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-plugin-config-review-checklist).
2. Run `/esp reload`.
3. Give yourself the spawner with `/esp give`.
4. Run `/esp debug` and watch a few cycles.
5. Test selling and the storage menu with a non-operator account.
6. Turn debug off when you are done, because it logs every cycle.

Placed spawners remember their type by name, so they pick up changes right away. Use `/esp settype <type>` to change the type of the spawner you are looking at.

## Translate messages and edit menus

- Copy `lang/en.yml` to a new file such as `lang/de.yml`, keep every key and change only the text, then set `language: de` in `config.yml` and `/esp reload`.
- Menus live in `menus/main-menu.yml` and `menus/storage-menu.yml`, where materials, slots, names, lore and click actions are all editable.

## Common mistakes

| Mistake                 | Fix                                                          |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Item sells for nothing  | Add a price in prices.yml or your shop plugin                |
| Loot never drops        | Check drop\_chance and chance values and the activation mode |
| YAML error on reload    | Check indentation, and quote ranges like "1-3"               |
| Spawners too profitable | Lower chance or amounts before touching prices               |
| Custom item not found   | Check the custom plugin is loaded and the ID is exact        |

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I make a custom spawner in EliteSpawner?** Add a named entry to `mob_spawners.yml` or `item_spawners.yml`, then `/esp reload`.

**Can I have several spawners for the same mob?** Yes, because types are names, not mobs.

**Can loot include custom items?** Yes, Nexo and ItemsAdder items by ID.

**How do I change loot on spawners already placed?** Edit the type and reload. Placed spawners use the new values.

## Related reading

- [EliteSpawner Plugin Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-plugin-setup-guide)
- [EliteSpawner Permissions and Storage Tiers](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-permissions-storage-tiers-auto-sell)
- [Planning a Server Economy That Lasts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/planning-minecraft-server-economy-that-lasts)

## More guides

- [Planning a Skyblock Server: Islands, Economy, Resets](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-skyblock-server-design-guide)
- [ShopGUIPlus Setup: Build an In-Game GUI Shop](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/shopguiplus-gui-shop-setup)
- [Best Minecraft Server Plugins: Essentials by Category (2026)](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/best-minecraft-plugins-by-category)
- [SQLite vs MySQL for Minecraft Plugins: Which to Choose](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-plugin-database-sqlite-vs-mysql)

## Continue reading

- [EliteSpawner Permissions, Storage Tiers and Auto-Sell Perks](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-permissions-storage-tiers-auto-sell)
- [EliteSpawner Integrations: Vault, ShopGUI+ and MySQL](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-integrations-vault-shopgui-mysql)
- [Virtual Spawners for Minecraft: Lag-Free Spawner Farms](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/virtual-spawners-minecraft-lag-free-spawner-farms)
- [EliteSpawner Plugin Setup: Install, Config and Commands](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-plugin-setup-guide)

[ Previous guide EliteSpawner Integrations: Vault, ShopGUI+ and MySQL](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-integrations-vault-shopgui-mysql)[ Next guide EliteSpawner Permissions, Storage Tiers and Auto-Sell Perks](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/elitespawner-permissions-storage-tiers-auto-sell)

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