BestSMPServers

Server life

Nether and End rules on SMP servers

The Nether and the End are where SMP servers differ most from vanilla, because both are shared resources that a few players can ruin for everyone. Nearly every server adds rules.

Nether highways

Because Nether travel covers eight times the distance, established servers build public highways along the axes. Conventions worth knowing: build at a standard Y level, do not connect your base directly to a highway without a hidden offset, and do not claim across one. On some servers highways are staff-maintained and protected; on others they are player projects and griefable.

The Nether roof

The flat bedrock area above the Nether ceiling is the fastest travel surface in the game and one of the most common bans. Reasons servers block it: it trivialises travel, it is invisible from below which makes it useful for hiding, and getting there requires a technique some servers treat as an exploit. Check before you go up.

The End and the dragon

  • Does the dragon respawn? On most servers yes, via crystals, and elytra supply depends on it.
  • Is the main island protected? Frequently, to stop the first player permanently claiming the gateway.
  • Do the outer islands reset? Elytra and shulkers come from End cities, so servers either reset the outer End periodically or expand its border. If neither happens on an old world, expect a very long flight to an unlooted city.

Resource resets

Many servers reset the Nether and the End on a schedule while leaving the overworld alone, which is a good design: it keeps ancient debris, blaze rods and shulkers available without deleting anyone's base. If a server does this, do not build anything permanent in either dimension, and read the announcement for the date.

Questions worth asking

  • Is the Nether roof allowed?
  • Are there public highways, and are they protected?
  • Do the Nether and End reset, and how often?
  • Can you claim land in either dimension?
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