// modpack server guide
Better MC (BMC4) server hosting & setup guide
A BMC4 server needs Java 17 and about 9.5–11 GB of RAM for up to 8 players.
Version 1.20.1 | A Proper Vanilla+ Modpack | Don't play Vanilla play this!
Summary from Better MC (BMC4) on Modrinth.
Better MC (BMC4) is a Forge modpack for Minecraft 1.20.1 with 330 mods. We'd pick our Heavy plan (12 GB) for it.
Quick facts
| Loader | Forge |
|---|---|
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.1 |
| Java needed | Java 17 for Minecraft 1.20.1 Java version chart. |
| Mods | 330 modsCounted from the pack's file list on Modrinth. None are marked client-only. |
| RAM | About 8.5–9.5 GB for 1–3 playersBy player count. |
| Downloads | 2,220,274 on Modrinth |
| Last updated | July 15, 2026 (version v59) |
| First published | July 19, 2023 on Modrinth |
| Server support | Required: the pack has mods that must run on the server. |
| Server pack | BMC4_ServerPack_v61.zipOfficial server pack on CurseForge, for BMC4 [FORGE] 1.20.1 v61.zip. Checked October 5, 2026. |
| Modrinth tags | adventure, combat, kitchen-sink, lightweight |
BMC4 on a server: what to know
Better MC [FORGE] BMC4 is Luna Pixel Studios' Forge 1.20.1 pack of 350+ mods that overhauls world generation, structures, bosses and the Aether, with 100+ quests. Its CurseForge server pack (BMC4_ServerPack_v62.zip for v62) was made with ServerPackCreator: variables.txt names Forge 47.4.20 and Java 17 and sets the heap to 4 GB, and while JAVA is left as java the start scripts install a Java runtime themselves. Many compatibility datapacks load through the Paxi mod from config/paxi/datapacks, so upload the whole config folder, not just mods.
BMC4 is the Forge edition; BMC2 and BMC3 (Fabric) and BMC5 (NeoForge) are separate packs, so check which one your group installed. Start the server pack with bash start.sh on Linux or start.bat on Windows; its readme warns not to delete the .ps1 files, which the batch file runs.
Watch out for
- CurseForge and Modrinth releases don't move together: when we checked, CurseForge was on v62hf while Modrinth's newest BMC4 file was v59, so pick one source for the whole group. Source.
- The v62hf hotfix (9 October 2026) had no server pack attached when we checked; the newest server pack was for v62. Source.
Sources: curseforge.com, curseforge.com (2), curseforge.com (3), modrinth.com, modrinth.com (2), modrinth.com (3), modrinth.com (4), modrinth.com (5). Checked October 12, 2026.
BMC4 server files
Yes, on CurseForge. Modrinth has no separate server pack for BMC4, but the authors publish one on CurseForge: BMC4_ServerPack_v61.zip, for BMC4 [FORGE] 1.20.1 v61.zip (August 20, 2026).
That's not the version Modrinth has (v59). A server and its players must run the same pack version, so either install the client pack from CurseForge too, or build the server from the Modrinth pack instead.
How much RAM does a BMC4 server need?
| Players online | RAM | DSN plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 players | About 8.5–9.5 GB | Heavy (12 GB) |
| 4–8 players | About 9.5–11 GB | Heavy (12 GB) |
| 9–15 players | About 10.5–14 GB | Heavy (12 GB) if players stay closeMore than 12 GB if they spread out. |
Estimated from 330 mods on the server with our RAM calculator, not measured: low end if players stay together, high end if they spread out.
With 9–15 players spread across the map, BMC4 can need more than 12 GB, our biggest plan. A lower view distance and a pre-generated world help it fit; past that, a host with bigger plans is the better choice.
Set Java's heap (-Xmx) 10–15% under the RAM you have, about -Xmx10500M on 12 GB. Forge 1.20.1 reads it from user_jvm_args.txt: uncomment the -Xmx line. RAM guide.
BMC4 server requirements
| Java | Java 17 |
|---|---|
| Loader | Forge for Minecraft 1.20.1 |
| CPU | Fast single-core speed (one main thread). With 330 mods, the first start takes minutes. |
| RAM | About 8.5–14 GB for 1–15 players (table above) |
| Disk | The server files, a growing world and backups |
| Network | TCP port 25565 open to players |
Recommended plan
Our pick for BMC4
Heavy
12 GB RAM · planned launch price $42/month
At about 330 Forge mods this is a heavy pack, and 12 GB keeps it clear of out-of-memory crashes.
Ordering is closed until we relaunch. We aren't taking orders or payments while we move to new hardware. Join the launch list and we'll email you when Heavy servers open.
Heavy is our biggest plan. Not sure? Email hello@dsnservers.com.
Planned launch price in USD, billed monthly once ordering opens, with a 7-day refund window.
How to make a BMC4 server on your own PC
What's specific to BMC4, step by step. The full walkthrough for any pack: how to make a modded Minecraft server.
- Install Java 17.
Check with
java -version. Java version chart. - Get the server files.
Download the official server pack,
BMC4_ServerPack_v61.zip, from CurseForge and unzip it into an empty folder. Make sure your players install the same pack version. - Start it and accept the EULA.
Run the start script in the server files, or the
run.sh/run.batthe Forge 1.20.1 installer writes, then seteula=trueineula.txtif you accept Mojang's EULA (EULA step). With 330 mods, the first start takes minutes. - Set the RAM with
-Xmx, sized from the table above. - Let friends connect: forward TCP 25565, or use a tunnel or host behind CGNAT (can't connect?).
Or run BMC4 on DSN
Once we relaunch (join the launch list), on DSN you'd install BMC4 from the panel's Modrinth modpack installer (version v59), pick Java 17 on the Startup tab and accept the EULA in the console. No port forwarding.
How to play BMC4 with friends
Each player installs BMC4 version v59 with the Modrinth App or Prism Launcher, the same version as the server, and adds the server's address under Multiplayer.
Different versions of BMC4 on the server and a client show up as Mismatched mod channel list or mod rejections. Why friends can't join, timeouts included.
Lag and performance on BMC4
Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded? means ticks take longer than 50 ms; more RAM won't fix that once BMC4 has enough (tick lag guide). For BMC4:
- Measure first: spark's
/spark tpsand profiler work on 1.20.1 and name the mod or machine using the tick time. - Distances:
view-distance=8and a lowersimulation-distanceinserver.properties. - Pre-generate: Chunky for 1.20.1,
/chunky radius 3000then/chunky start, before people explore. - Chunk loaders keep machines running with nobody nearby; in a pack this size, dozens add up.
Common BMC4 crashes
What a Forge 1.20.1 server running BMC4 hits most. For any other error, paste the log into the free crash log analyzer.
- Out of memory. BMC4 (330 mods on the server) needs about 8.5–9.5 GB for 1–3 players;
java.lang.OutOfMemoryErrormeans it ran out. Out-of-memory fix. - Wrong Java version. BMC4 on Minecraft 1.20.1 needs Java 17. Started on Java 8, it stops with
UnsupportedClassVersionError: ... class file version 61.0, this version of the Java Runtime only recognizes class file versions up to 52.0. Java version fix. - Client-only mod on the server. The BMC4 pack file marks none of its mods client-only, so this usually means one was copied over from a player's mods folder. Check a mods list with the client-or-server-side checker. Client-only mod fix.
- After adding or updating a mod. Mods you add to BMC4 by hand usually crash it with a missing dependency or a mixin conflict.
- Ticking entity or block entity. The crash report names it and gives its coordinates. Ticking entity fix.
Updates and support
Before moving BMC4 past version v59, back up the world: see updating a modpack server without losing your world.
Bugs in BMC4 itself go to its authors: issue tracker, wiki and Discord. Server problems on DSN: hello@dsnservers.com or Discord.
Packs like BMC4
More: all modpack guides and how to make a modded server.
Run BMC4 on DSN when we relaunch.
Our pick, Heavy: 12 GB, planned at $42/month.
DSN Servers isn't affiliated with Better MC (BMC4) or Modrinth. The pack's icon, summary and stats come from Modrinth's public API (checked October 4, 2026).