How to Create a Skyblock Server in Minecraft 1.21

January 5, 2026

Niranjan B.

Creating a Skyblock server in Minecraft 1.21 lets you offer one of the most popular and replayable game modes in the Minecraft community. In Skyblock, players start on small floating islands with extremely limited resources and must expand using creativity, automation, and progression systems.

This guide walks you step by step through setting up a Skyblock server on Minecraft 1.21, from installing Java and server software to configuring plugins, void worlds, performance optimizations, and launch preparation. It is written for both beginners and serious server owners. If you are already using a server hosting, then you can directly jump to the plugin configuration step and checkout plugins!

What Makes a Skyblock Server Different?

Unlike standard survival servers, Skyblock servers run in void worlds where terrain does not generate naturally. Each player or team receives a protected island, and the server must manage:

Island creation and deletion
Player isolation and protection
Custom progression systems
Heavy plugin usage
Distributed chunk loading across many locations

Because of this, Skyblock servers require specialized plugins and careful performance tuning.

Server Requirements for Skyblock (Hardware & Network)

Your hardware requirements depend on how many players you expect.

Small Skyblock Server (5–10 Players)

4GB RAM
Dual-core CPU at 3.5GHz+
10–20GB SSD storage
10 Mbps upload speed

Medium Skyblock Server (10–30 Players)

6–8GB RAM
Quad-core CPU at 3.8GHz+
20–30GB SSD storage
15–20 Mbps upload speed

Large Skyblock Server (30+ Players)

10–16GB RAM
6–8 core CPU at 4.0GHz+
30–50GB SSD storage
25+ Mbps upload speed

SSD storage and strong single-core CPU performance are critical because Skyblock loads many separate island chunks.

Step 1: Install Java 21 (Required for Minecraft 1.21)

Minecraft 1.21 requires Java 21.

Download Java 21 from Oracle: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java21
Install it using default settings
Verify installation with: java -version

If you have trouble opening .jar files on Windows, use Jarfix:
https://johann.loefflmann.net/en/software/jarfix/index.html

Step 2: Download and Set Up Paper Server

Paper is the recommended server software for Skyblock due to its performance and plugin compatibility.

Download Paper 1.21:
https://papermc.io/downloads/paper

Create Startup Script

Windows (run.bat):

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui
pause

Linux/macOS (start.sh):

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --nogui

Adjust RAM values based on your server capacity.

Run the server once, accept the EULA in eula.txt, then restart.

Step 3: Install Essential Skyblock Plugins

Choose a Skyblock Plugin

Recommended options:

SuperiorSkyblock2 – https://bg-software.com/superiorskyblock/
IridiumSkyblock – https://modrinth.com/plugin/iridiumskyblock
BentoBox + BSkyBlock – https://download.bentobox.world

Required Dependencies

Vault: https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/vault.34315/
EssentialsX: https://essentialsx.net/downloads

Recommended Utilities

WorldEdit: https://dev.bukkit.org/projects/worldedit
WorldGuard: https://dev.bukkit.org/projects/worldguard
LuckPerms: https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/luckperms-an-advanced-permissions-plugin.28140/

Place all plugin .jar files into the plugins folder and restart the server.

Step 4: Create a Void World

Skyblock requires a void world.

Option 1: Void Default World (VoidGen)

Download VoidGen: https://modrinth.com/plugin/voidgen
Add this to bukkit.yml:

worlds:
  world:
    generator: VoidGen

Delete existing world folders
Restart server

Option 2: Separate Skyblock World (Multiverse-Core)

Multiverse-Core: https://dev.bukkit.org/projects/multiverse-core
Create world:

/mv create skyblock normal -g VoidGen -t FLAT

Step 5: Configure Your Skyblock Plugin

For SuperiorSkyblock2:

Create island: /is or /island
Customize schematics via /is admin schematic
Edit configs in plugins/SuperiorSkyblock2/

Key files:

config.yml
missions.yml
upgrades.yml

Step 6: Optimize server.properties

Edit server.properties:

view-distance=6
simulation-distance=4
spawn-protection=0
pvp=false
gamemode=survival

Lower view distance significantly improves Skyblock performance.

Step 7: Port Forward (Optional)

If self-hosting, forward port 25565.

Guide:
https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/how-to-port-forward-a-minecraft-server

Find your public IP:
https://whatismyipaddress.com/

Step 8: Performance Optimization

Use Aikar’s Flags

Recommended JVM flags:
https://mcflags.emc.gs

Paper Optimization

Review:
https://docs.papermc.io/paper/aikars-flags/

Reduce:

View distance
Mob counts
Island size

Step 9: Test and Launch

Checklist:

Islands generate correctly
Void world works
TPS stays above 19.5
Permissions work
Economy works

Promote on:

Common Skyblock Issues and Fixes

Players falling into void → Check VoidGen config
Island not creating → Verify permissions and schematics
Lag spikes → Lower view distance and entity limits

Final Thoughts

Setting up a Skyblock server in Minecraft 1.21 requires careful planning, the right plugins, and performance tuning. With Paper, a solid Skyblock plugin, and proper optimizations, you can create a stable, engaging Skyblock experience.

Focus on performance, progression, and community feedback. With the right setup, your Skyblock server can grow into a long-term, successful Minecraft network.

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