// modpack server guide
RLCraft server hosting & setup guide
An RLCraft server needs Java 8 and about 6.5–8 GB of RAM for up to 8 players.
The original hardcore survival pack for Forge 1.12.2: semi-realistic survival, RPG elements, dragons and dangerous exploration.
Pack details checked by hand against RLCraft on CurseForge on October 4, 2026.
RLCraft is a Forge modpack for Minecraft 1.12.2 with 177 mods. We'd pick our Premium plan (8 GB) for it.
- The author says servers need enable-command-block=true in server.properties, or some structures generate incorrectly and miss their villagers.
- RLCraft 2.9 comes with and needs Forge 14.23.5.2860 or newer.
- See also: Rising Legends server guide.
Quick facts
| Loader | Forge |
|---|---|
| Minecraft versions | 1.12.2 |
| Java needed | Java 8 for Minecraft 1.12.2 Java version chart. |
| Mods | 177 modsThe number of mods CurseForge lists for the pack, client-side ones included. |
| RAM | About 6–6.5 GB for 1–3 playersBy player count. |
| Downloads | 30,263,282 on CurseForgeAs of October 4, 2026. |
| Latest version | June 27, 2023 (version 2.9.3)The newest version when we checked on October 4, 2026. |
| Official server files | Download pagePublished next to each version on CurseForge, for example RLCraft Server Pack 1.12.2 - Release v2.9.3.zip. |
| Authors' RAM advice | The author recommends giving the game 3 to 4 GB, since the launcher's default 1 GB isn't enough.Source |
| Where to get it | RLCraft on CurseForge |
| Tags | exploration, combat / pvp, hardcore, magic, adventure and rpg |
RLCraft on a server: what to know
RLCraft 2.9.3 is a Forge 1.12.2 pack whose latest release dates from June 2023. The server pack has no Forge server or start script, but it does ship a server.properties, and its readme explains the four settings that matter: allow-flight=true (flying mounts and the fairy ring otherwise get players kicked), difficulty=3 (the pack is balanced around Hard), max-tick-time=-1 (so the watchdog doesn't stop the server while large structures generate or during pre-generation) and enable-command-block=true (or villagers don't spawn in generated structures).
If your host generates its own server.properties, copy those four lines in. The readme suggests view-distance 10, lowered to 8 or 6 with many players but no further, and pre-generating the world for servers with more than 10 players. An optional HARDCORE Server Setup download makes death wipe a character (skills, extra hearts, saved waystones) instead of ending the run.
Watch out for
- On very large, long-running servers the readme recommends deleting Village.dat from the world folder now and then, because it can grow until it causes lag spikes and timeouts. Source.
- The readme says worlds started on 2.9 or 2.9.1c need /bq_admin default load and /bqs_loot default load run in the console when updating, to refresh quests and loot tables. Source.
Sources: curseforge.com, curseforge.com (2), curseforge.com (3). Checked October 12, 2026.
RLCraft server files
RLCraft's authors publish official server files. Published next to each version on CurseForge, for example RLCraft Server Pack 1.12.2 - Release v2.9.3.zip. Get the official server files.
Use the server files for the exact version your players install: a server and client on different pack versions won't connect.
How much RAM does an RLCraft server need?
| Players online | RAM | DSN plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 players | About 6–6.5 GB | Premium (8 GB) |
| 4–8 players | About 6.5–8 GB | Premium (8 GB) |
| 9–15 players | About 7.5–10 GB | Heavy (12 GB)Premium (8 GB) can do if players stay close. |
Estimated from 177 mods with our RAM calculator, set against the authors' own advice, not measured: low end if players stay together, high end if they spread out. What the authors say: The author recommends giving the game 3 to 4 GB, since the launcher's default 1 GB isn't enough.
Set Java's heap (-Xmx) 10–15% under the RAM you have, about -Xmx7000M on 8 GB. Forge 1.12.2 takes it in the java command (-Xmx), usually in the start script. RAM guide.
RLCraft server requirements
| Java | Java 8 |
|---|---|
| Loader | Forge for Minecraft 1.12.2 |
| CPU | Fast single-core speed (one main thread). With 177 mods, the first start takes minutes. |
| RAM | About 6–10 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 RLCraft
Premium
8 GB RAM · planned launch price $30/month
RLCraft's author recommends 3 to 4 GB for one player's game, and at 177 mods it's a mid-size pack, so 8 GB gives a server room for several players exploring at once.
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 Premium servers open.
More than 8 players, or lots exploring at once? Go up to Heavy (12 GB). 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 an RLCraft server on your own PC
What's specific to RLCraft, step by step. The full walkthrough for any pack: how to make a modded Minecraft server.
- Install Java 8.
Check with
java -version. Java version chart. - Get the server files.
Download the official server files for the version your players use and unzip them into an empty folder. Follow the readme that comes with them.
- Start it and accept the EULA.
Run the start script in the server files, or
java -jaron the Forge jar the installer made, then seteula=trueineula.txtif you accept Mojang's EULA (EULA step). With 177 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 RLCraft on DSN
Once we relaunch (join the launch list), on DSN you'd install RLCraft from the panel's CurseForge modpack installer, pick Java 8 on the Startup tab and accept the EULA in the console. No port forwarding.
How to play RLCraft with friends
Each player installs RLCraft with the CurseForge app or Prism Launcher, the same version as the server, and adds the server's address under Multiplayer. The authors' memory advice for the game: The author recommends giving the game 3 to 4 GB, since the launcher's default 1 GB isn't enough.
Different versions of RLCraft 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 RLCraft
Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded? means ticks take longer than 50 ms; more RAM won't fix that once RLCraft has enough (tick lag guide). For RLCraft:
- Distances:
view-distance=8inserver.properties. - Pre-generate: with a pregeneration mod built for 1.12.2, before people explore.
Common RLCraft crashes
What a Forge 1.12.2 server running RLCraft hits most. For any other error, paste the log into the free crash log analyzer.
- Wrong Java version. Forge for 1.12.2 won't start on anything newer than Java 8, and stops with
ClassCastException: class jdk.internal.loader.ClassLoaders$AppClassLoader cannot be cast to class java.net.URLClassLoader. Java version fix. - Out of memory. RLCraft (177 mods) needs about 6–6.5 GB for 1–3 players;
java.lang.OutOfMemoryErrormeans it ran out. Out-of-memory fix. - Client-only mod on the server. This one shows up when the mods folder is copied from a player's game instead of installed as a server. 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 RLCraft by hand usually crash it with a missing dependency:
net.minecraftforge.fml.common.MissingModsExceptionnames the mod. - Ticking entity or block entity. The crash report names it and gives its coordinates. Ticking entity fix.
Updates and support
Before moving RLCraft past version 2.9.3, back up the world: see updating a modpack server without losing your world.
Bugs in RLCraft itself go to its authors through its CurseForge page. Server problems on DSN: hello@dsnservers.com or Discord.
Packs like RLCraft
More: all modpack guides and how to make a modded server.
Run RLCraft on DSN when we relaunch.
Our pick, Premium: 8 GB, planned at $30/month.
DSN Servers isn't affiliated with RLCraft or CurseForge. We wrote the summary and checked the pack's facts by hand on October 4, 2026. Sources: curseforge.com, curseforge.com (2), api.cfwidget.com.