Glossary
Not sure whether your server is Lifesteal, Money, or Strength? This page breaks down the most common SMP formats and what they mean for how you play.
Classic survival multiplayer
A Normal or Vanilla SMP is the classic multiplayer survival experience. Plugins and mods are usually minimal, so vanilla mechanics like trading, redstone, and PvP work exactly like single-player. These tutorials focus on efficient survival, base building, and PvP fundamentals.
View tutorials →Steal hearts on every kill
Lifesteal SMPs turn every fight into high-stakes combat. Killing a player permanently transfers one of their hearts to you; if a player drops to zero hearts, they're eliminated (often permanently or until the season ends). Early-game survival, stealth, and alliances matter as much as PvP skill.
View tutorials →Buy, sell, and build wealth
Money SMPs add a virtual economy to Minecraft. You earn currency by selling items, completing jobs, or running shops, then spend it on gear, claim blocks, warps, or protection. The meta shifts from pure resource gathering to market timing, shop placement, and efficient farming for profit.
View tutorials →Progression changes everything
Strength SMPs add RPG-style progression: custom enchantments, abilities, classes, or scaling stats. A fight can hinge on whether you've unlocked the right power, and base defense may require counters to specific abilities. These tutorials cover the unique PvP and survival meta that normal vanilla guides miss.
View tutorials →No rules. No resets.
Anarchy servers have no rules, no moderation, and no map resets. You spawn into a wasteland of ruins, dupes, and hunters. The goal isn't aesthetics — it's survival, hidden bases, fast travel, and exploiting every mechanic before someone else does. Bases are disposable; knowledge and stashes are what keep you in the game.
View tutorials →Plugins, mods, and unique rulesets
Some SMPs mix plugins, mods, or custom rules so heavily that vanilla advice only gets you halfway. The Custom category covers one-off formats, modpack servers, hardcore seasons, and anything else that changes the core loop enough to need its own strategy.
View tutorials →