diff --git a/buildSrc/src/main/groovy/ethylene.library-conventions.gradle b/buildSrc/src/main/groovy/ethylene.library-conventions.gradle
index 6aaea4d..8d423ac 100644
--- a/buildSrc/src/main/groovy/ethylene.library-conventions.gradle
+++ b/buildSrc/src/main/groovy/ethylene.library-conventions.gradle
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 group 'com.github.steanky'
-version '0.25.0'
+version '0.26.0'
 
 publishing {
     publications {
diff --git a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/ConfigElement.java b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/ConfigElement.java
index c79bb63..1eb316a 100644
--- a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/ConfigElement.java
+++ b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/ConfigElement.java
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 import com.github.steanky.ethylene.core.processor.ConfigProcessor;
@@ -236,6 +237,388 @@ else if (current.isList()) {
         return Objects.requireNonNullElse(at(path), defaultElement);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a container.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer containerAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, @NotNull ConfigContainer defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isContainer()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a container.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer containerAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, @NotNull ConfigContainer defaultValue) {
+        return containerAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a container.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer containerAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigContainer> defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isContainer()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a container.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer containerAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigContainer> defaultSupplier) {
+        return containerAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a node.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode nodeAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, @NotNull ConfigNode defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNode()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a node.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode nodeAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, @NotNull ConfigNode defaultValue) {
+        return nodeAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a node.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode nodeAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigNode> defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNode()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a node.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode nodeAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigNode> defaultSupplier) {
+        return nodeAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a list.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList listAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, @NotNull ConfigList defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isList()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a list.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList listAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, @NotNull ConfigList defaultValue) {
+        return listAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a list.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList listAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigList> defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isList()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a list.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList listAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigList> defaultSupplier) {
+        return listAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a boolean.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default boolean booleanAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, boolean defaultValue) {
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a boolean.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default boolean booleanAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, boolean defaultValue) {
+        return booleanAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a boolean.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default boolean booleanAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull BooleanSupplier defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultSupplier.getAsBoolean();
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a boolean.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default boolean booleanAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull BooleanSupplier defaultSupplier) {
+        return booleanAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a number.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number numberAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, @NotNull Number defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNumber()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a number.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number numberAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, @NotNull Number defaultValue) {
+        return numberAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a number.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number numberAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull Number> defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNumber()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a number.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number numberAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull Number> defaultSupplier) {
+        return numberAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a string.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String stringAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path, @NotNull String defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isString()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but returns {@code defaultValue} iff the element at the path
+     * does not exist or is not a string.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String stringAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path, @NotNull String defaultValue) {
+        return stringAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultValue);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(ConfigPath)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a string.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String stringAtOrDefault(@NotNull ConfigPath path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull String> defaultSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier);
+
+        ConfigElement element = at(path);
+        if (element == null || !element.isString()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Equivalent to {@link ConfigElement#at(String)}, but calls {@code defaultSupplier} to compute a default value
+     * iff the element at the path does not exist or is not a string.
+     *
+     * @param path the path to search along
+     * @param defaultSupplier the default value supplier, which must return a non-null value
+     * @return the object at the path, else the computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String stringAtOrDefault(@NotNull String path,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull String> defaultSupplier) {
+        return stringAtOrDefault(ConfigPath.of(path), defaultSupplier);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Determines if this ConfigElement represents a container (holds other ConfigElements).
      *
diff --git a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigList.java b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigList.java
index 7288c37..b030fb7 100644
--- a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigList.java
+++ b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigList.java
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier;
+import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 /**
  * Represents an ordered collection of {@link ConfigElement} objects. ConfigList does not support null values.
@@ -111,6 +113,269 @@ default void addBoolean(boolean value) {
         add(ConfigPrimitive.of(value));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer getContainerOrDefault(int index, @NotNull ConfigContainer defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isContainer()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer getContainerOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigContainer> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isContainer()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode getNodeOrDefault(int index, @NotNull ConfigNode defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isNode()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode getNodeOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigNode> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isNode()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList getListOrDefault(int index, @NotNull ConfigList defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isList()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList getListOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigList> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isList()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default boolean getBooleanOrDefault(int index, boolean defaultValue) {
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default boolean getBooleanOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull BooleanSupplier defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValueSupplier.getAsBoolean();
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultValueSupplier.getAsBoolean();
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number getNumberOrDefault(int index, @NotNull Number defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isNumber()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number getNumberOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull Number> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isNumber()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String getStringOrDefault(int index, @NotNull String defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isString()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is in-bounds and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param index the index
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type and in-bounds; else the non-null computed default
+     * value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String getStringOrDefault(int index,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull String> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        if (index < 0 || index >= size()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        ConfigElement element = get(index);
+        if (!element.isString()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
     @Override
     default @NotNull ConfigList copy() {
         return (ConfigList) ConfigContainer.super.copy();
diff --git a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigNode.java b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigNode.java
index 08f904f..cd8ee9f 100644
--- a/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigNode.java
+++ b/ethylene-core/src/main/java/com/github/steanky/ethylene/core/collection/ConfigNode.java
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier;
+import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 /**
  * <p>Represents some arbitrary configuration data in a tree-like structure. ConfigNode objects are mutable data
@@ -169,6 +171,215 @@ default void putBoolean(@NotNull String key, boolean value) {
         put(key, ConfigPrimitive.of(value));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer getContainerOrDefault(@NotNull String key, @NotNull ConfigContainer defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isContainer()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigContainer getContainerOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigContainer> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isContainer()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asContainer();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode getNodeOrDefault(@NotNull String key, @NotNull ConfigNode defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNode()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigNode getNodeOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigNode> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNode()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNode();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList getListOrDefault(@NotNull String key, @NotNull ConfigList defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isList()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull ConfigList getListOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull ConfigList> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isList()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asList();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default boolean getBooleanOrDefault(@NotNull String key, boolean defaultValue) {
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default boolean getBooleanOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull BooleanSupplier defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isBoolean()) {
+            return defaultValueSupplier.getAsBoolean();
+        }
+
+        return element.asBoolean();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number getNumberOrDefault(@NotNull String key, @NotNull Number defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNumber()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull Number getNumberOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull Number> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isNumber()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asNumber();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValue the default value
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String getStringOrDefault(@NotNull String key, @NotNull String defaultValue) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValue);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isString()) {
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets a value if it is present and the expected type; else computes and returns the non-null default value.
+     *
+     * @param key the key
+     * @param defaultValueSupplier the default value supplier
+     * @return the value present in this node if it is the right type; else the non-null computed default value
+     */
+    default @NotNull String getStringOrDefault(@NotNull String key,
+        @NotNull Supplier<? extends @NotNull String> defaultValueSupplier) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier);
+        ConfigElement element = get(key);
+        if (element == null || !element.isString()) {
+            return Objects.requireNonNull(defaultValueSupplier.get(), "default value supplier");
+        }
+
+        return element.asString();
+    }
+
     @Override
     default @NotNull ConfigNode copy() {
         return (ConfigNode) ConfigContainer.super.copy();