// modpack server guide
Winter Zombies server hosting & setup guide
A Winter Zombies server needs Java 8 and about 2.5–3.5 GB of RAM for up to 8 players.
The Mustard Virus has gone global and wiped out humanity. In cooler climates, the virus has become immune to the cold. You on the other hand are still vulnerable to these harsh conditions. Will frostbite get you first, or will you succumb to the virus?
Summary from Winter Zombies on Modrinth.
Winter Zombies is a Forge modpack for Minecraft 1.12.2 with 32 mods. We'd pick our Standard plan (4 GB) for it.
Quick facts
| Loader | Forge |
|---|---|
| Minecraft versions | 1.12.2 |
| Java needed | Java 8 for Minecraft 1.12.2 Java version chart. |
| Mods | 32 modsCounted from the pack's file list on Modrinth. None are marked client-only. |
| RAM | About 2–2.5 GB for 1–3 playersBy player count. |
| Downloads | 205,975 on Modrinth |
| Last updated | May 11, 2024 (version 1.0.1) |
| First published | March 18, 2024 on Modrinth |
| Server support | Required: the pack has mods that must run on the server. |
| Server pack | Not published separatelyHow to build the server. |
| Modrinth tags | adventure, challenging, combat |
Winter Zombies server files
No. Winter Zombies has no separate server pack on Modrinth, so the server is built from the .mrpack: the Forge server for Minecraft 1.12.2, plus the pack's overrides folder and the server-side mods its modrinth.index.json lists. A modpack installer does this for you; our guide shows how to make a server for a modpack with no server pack.
How much RAM does a Winter Zombies server need?
| Players online | RAM | DSN plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 players | About 2–2.5 GB | Standard (4 GB) |
| 4–8 players | About 2.5–3.5 GB | Standard (4 GB) |
| 9–15 players | About 3–4.5 GB | Premium (8 GB)Standard (4 GB) can do if players stay close. |
Estimated from 32 mods on the server with our RAM calculator, not measured: low end if players stay together, high end if they spread out.
Set Java's heap (-Xmx) 10–15% under the RAM you have, about -Xmx3500M on 4 GB. Forge 1.12.2 takes it in the java command (-Xmx), usually in the start script. RAM guide.
Winter Zombies server requirements
| Java | Java 8 |
|---|---|
| Loader | Forge for Minecraft 1.12.2 |
| CPU | Fast single-core speed (one main thread). |
| RAM | About 2–4.5 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 Winter Zombies
Standard
4 GB RAM · planned launch price $16/month
At about 32 Forge mods this is a light pack, so 4 GB of RAM covers it for a small group.
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 Standard servers open.
More than 8 players, or lots exploring at once? Go up to Premium (8 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 a Winter Zombies server on your own PC
What's specific to Winter Zombies, 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.
Build them from the .mrpack, as in server files above.
- 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). - 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 Winter Zombies on DSN
Once we relaunch (join the launch list), on DSN you'd install Winter Zombies from the panel's Modrinth modpack installer (version 1.0.1), pick Java 8 on the Startup tab and accept the EULA in the console. No port forwarding.
How to play Winter Zombies with friends
Each player installs Winter Zombies version 1.0.1 with the Modrinth App or Prism Launcher, the same version as the server, and adds the server's address under Multiplayer.
Different versions of Winter Zombies 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 Winter Zombies
Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded? means ticks take longer than 50 ms; more RAM won't fix that once Winter Zombies has enough (tick lag guide). For Winter Zombies:
- Distances:
view-distance=8inserver.properties. - Pre-generate: with a pregeneration mod built for 1.12.2, before people explore.
Common Winter Zombies crashes
What a Forge 1.12.2 server running Winter Zombies 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. Winter Zombies (32 mods on the server) needs about 2–2.5 GB for 1–3 players;
java.lang.OutOfMemoryErrormeans it ran out. Out-of-memory fix. - Client-only mod on the server. The Winter Zombies 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 Winter Zombies 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 Winter Zombies past version 1.0.1, back up the world: see updating a modpack server without losing your world.
Bugs in Winter Zombies itself go to its authors: Discord. Server problems on DSN: hello@dsnservers.com or Discord.
Packs like Winter Zombies
More: all modpack guides and how to make a modded server.
Run Winter Zombies on DSN when we relaunch.
Our pick, Standard: 4 GB, planned at $16/month.
DSN Servers isn't affiliated with Winter Zombies or Modrinth. The pack's name, icon, summary and stats come from Modrinth's public API (checked October 4, 2026).