An SMP (Survival Multiplayer) server is a shared world where players survive together. It sounds simple, but a good SMP needs rules, grief protection and a handful of well-chosen plugins to prevent chaos. This guide explains how to turn a bare Minecraft server into a stable SMP that players want to stay on.
Use Paper as your base
Start with Paper or Purpur as your server software. Vanilla lacks the optimisations and the plugin API you need for a community server. Paper is the standard for SMP servers and comes pre-installed on all HostValues Minecraft plans.
Grief protection: claims and prevention
Without protection, players can destroy each other's builds. The two most popular solutions:
- GriefPrevention: players claim an area with a golden shovel. Only the owner can build inside a claimed region. Works out of the box with minimal configuration.
- WorldGuard + WorldEdit: more control, but more complex. Best suited for admins who want to protect specific zones manually.
Essential SMP plugins
| Plugin | Purpose |
|---|---|
| EssentialsX | Basic commands: /home, /tpa, /spawn, /msg, /warp |
| LuckPerms | Permission and rank system |
| GriefPrevention | Claim-based build protection |
| CoreProtect | Block logging: who placed or removed what, and when |
| Vault | Economy bridge (required for shops and rank purchases) |
| DiscordSRV | Links Minecraft chat to a Discord channel |
| Dynmap or BlueMap | Live web map of the world |
Do not install too many plugins. Every plugin is an extra source of bugs and performance overhead. Start with five to eight and add more only when players ask for something specific.
Rules and expectations
Write a short set of rules and display them at first login (through a welcome plugin or the MOTD). The basics:
- No griefing or stealing outside designated PvP zones.
- No hacks, X-ray or unfair client mods.
- Respect other players. No spam, no harassment.
- Claim your builds. Unclaimed structures are not protected.
World borders and performance
An infinite world sounds appealing, but it becomes unmanageable. Set a world border of 10,000 to 30,000 blocks:
/worldborder set 20000
This limits the number of chunks that get generated and keeps the world manageable in terms of storage and performance. You can always expand it later.
Backups
Create a daily backup. The game panel lets you schedule automatic backups. If something goes wrong, whether it is griefing, corruption or a bad plugin update, you roll back to the previous day without losing much progress. CoreProtect handles small incidents; a full backup handles the bigger ones.
Building a community
- Discord: set up a server with channels for rules, announcements, chat and suggestions. Link it to in-game chat with DiscordSRV.
- Server listings: register your server on sites like minecraft-server-list.com and minecraft-mp.com. More tips in how to promote your Minecraft server.
- Events: building contests, PvP tournaments and community projects keep players engaged.
How many players can an SMP handle?
With Paper and proper settings, a 4 GB server runs smoothly with 15 to 20 players. Above 30 you need 6 to 8 GB. For tuning advice, read the lag reduction guide.
Can I add mods to an SMP later?
Not without a mod loader. Paper runs plugins, not mods. If you want mods, you need Forge or Fabric, but then every player has to install the same mods on their client. For most SMP servers, plugins are sufficient and far more convenient.
Should I use a whitelist?
For a private community: yes. For a public SMP: no, but use anti-grief and anti-cheat plugins to keep unwanted behaviour in check.
Start your SMP on a Minecraft plan. The Gold plan (4 GB) is a solid starting point for a community of up to 20 players.
