Direct answer
Inside the documented Leaf 1.21.1 performance.dab settings, start-distance is a distance threshold, not a mob cap. Increasing it leaves more nearby mobs at normal brain-update frequency; lowering it may affect behavior closer to players.
How to check it
- Find the option in the generated config of the exact Leaf build and record the current DAB state.
- Choose a villager hall or mob farm whose AI behavior is easy to observe, then measure player distance from the entities.
- Profile AI cost before making changes and check that mobs remain loaded and active.
What to change
performance:
dab:
start-distance: 8 # verify your installed branch- Change only the threshold on a staging copy. Compare movement, targeting and farm output at locations just inside and outside the threshold.
- Revert if distant mobs become unresponsive. Consider other DAB parameters only after identifying why the boundary matters.
Software and version notes
Compatibility and safety
This configuration layout comes from Leaf’s 1.21.1 reference. Its sample values are not guaranteed defaults for newer Leaf releases. DAB is separate from tracking distance and entity activation.
Verify the result
Repeat tests with the same player position and farm activity; track both MSPT and behavioral differences.