Updated 24 October 2026. Every answer lists its source.
Minecraft server types, answered
The game modes servers are built around, in one sentence each, so you know what you are joining.
What is a survival server?
A survival server is normal Minecraft Survival shared with other players, often with land claims and an economy added by plugins.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a Towny server?
On a Towny server players build towns and nations, claim land around them, pay taxes and work together or fight other towns.
Source: github.com - Towny
What is a land claim server?
A land claim server lets you protect your builds with a claim, often by placing a golden shovel or using a command, so others cannot grief them.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a vanilla server?
A vanilla server runs Minecraft with no gameplay changes from plugins, just like singleplayer.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a whitelist server?
A whitelist server only lets in players on its approved list, usually a private SMP or a server with an application.
What is an Earth server?
An Earth server plays on a map of the real world, usually with towns or nations built on real countries.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a hardcore server?
On a hardcore server you have one life. Death means a ban or becoming a spectator, sometimes for a set time.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Hardcore, Minecraft Wiki - Server.properties
What is a Gens server?
On a Gens server you buy and upgrade generators that produce items, sell them for money, and grow your economy.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is an OP Factions server?
OP Factions is Factions with very strong items, fast money and big custom enchants from the start.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a practice server?
A practice server is for training PvP: duels, kits and ranked queues without survival or building.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a KitPvP server?
On a KitPvP server you pick a ready-made kit and fight right away, with no gathering.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a Cosmic-style server?
A Cosmic-style server copies the Cosmic PvP formula: Factions with custom enchants, envoys, outposts and KOTH. ArtemisPvP is one.
Source: ArtemisPvP - Factions guide
What is an RPG server?
An RPG server adds quests, classes, levels, dungeons and custom mobs, like an online role-playing game inside Minecraft.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a roleplay server?
On a roleplay server players act as characters, often in a town or story setting, with rules about staying in character.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a Creative plot server?
A Creative plot server gives each player a plot of land in Creative mode to build whatever they want.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a modded server?
A modded server runs mods, so every player must install the same modpack before joining.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Mods
What is a minigame network?
A minigame network is a big server with many small games, such as Bed Wars, Sky Wars and Murder Mystery, joined from one hub.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Server
What is a cracked server?
A cracked server runs in offline mode and lets players join without a checked Minecraft account. It is less secure.
What is a crossplay server?
A crossplay server lets Java and Bedrock players join together, usually with Geyser on a Java server.
Source: geysermc.org
More questions
Every topic is on the FAQ hub. Questions about the ArtemisPvP server itself (commands, ranks, events) are on the server FAQ. Server IP: play.artemispvp.com.