For current Pixelmon 9.3.0 and later, install the NeoForge server for Minecraft 1.21.1, run it with Java 21, and give it at least 6 GB of memory (8 GB is a sensible starting point for a small group). Download the matching Pixelmon server pack, put its files in the NeoForge server directory, set the heap in user_jvm_args.txt, launch the generated script, and start it a second time after the expected first-run shutdown.
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The loader and Java runtime are determined by the Pixelmon release line, not simply by the word “Pixelmon.” Players must install the identical modpack and loader version or they will receive missing-mod, registry, or protocol errors.
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Pick the correct Pixelmon release, loader, and Java version
Check the exact Pixelmon version shown by the modpack before installing anything. The current line and the older lines use different loaders and Java runtimes.
| Pixelmon release line | Minecraft version | Server loader | Java runtime | What to remember |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.3.0 and newer | 1.21.1 | NeoForge | Java 21 | Use the NeoForge installer and a 1.21.1-compatible server pack. |
| 9.2.0–9.2.10 | 1.20.2 | NeoForge | Java 17 | Do not mix this line with a 1.21.1/Java 21 installation. |
| 9.1.x and older | Version-dependent | Usually the loader documented for that legacy pack | Java 8 | Follow the pack’s own instructions; current NeoForge guides do not apply automatically. |
Forge tutorials are still relevant to older Pixelmon lines, including the 1.16.5 and 1.12.2 era, but they are outdated for Pixelmon 9.3.0 and newer. Installing Forge for a current 1.21.1 pack is a common cause of an immediate startup failure.
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There is conflicting published guidance for Pixelmon on Minecraft 1.16.5: the Pixelmon Wiki identifies Java 8 for versions before 9.2.0, while a hosting-provider guide lists Java 17 for 1.16.5. Treat 1.16.5 as a special case and verify the exact pack documentation and loader before choosing Java.
Choose self-hosting or a managed server
| Approach | You are responsible for | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted on a PC or VPS | Installing NeoForge, selecting Java, allocating RAM, opening the firewall and router, backups, updates, and uptime. | Owners who want control and already have a suitable machine and network. |
| Managed Minecraft host | Usually choosing a Pixelmon template and plan; the provider handles the base installation and exposes a control panel. You still need to select the right pack version and keep player installations aligned. | Groups that prefer a guided setup, a public address, and someone else to maintain the machine. |
A managed installer can remove much of the Java and loader work, but it does not make incompatible client versions work. Confirm the provider supports the specific Pixelmon release, Minecraft version, and NeoForge build you intend to run.
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Before downloading files, make sure the host meets these requirements:
- A 64-bit operating system with enough free disk space for the server, world, backups, logs, and future modpack updates.
- The Java runtime required by the selected Pixelmon line: Java 21 for 9.3.x, Java 17 for 9.2.x, or the documented legacy runtime for older packs.
- At least 6 GB of RAM available to the server process. Eight gigabytes is a practical starting allocation for a small group; active worlds, exploration, chunk generation, and additional mods can require more.
- Permission to create files and run scripts in a dedicated folder. Avoid a protected system directory or a cloud-synchronized folder that may lock files while the server is running.
- A reliable network connection. A wired connection and a machine that does not sleep are preferable for a server others need to reach.
These RAM figures are guidance rather than a benchmark. The Pixelmon Wiki gives about 6 GB as a minimum, and current hosting guidance commonly recommends 8 GB for a small NeoForge 1.21.1 group. Watch actual memory use and leave several gigabytes for the operating system and other services instead of assigning every available byte to Java.
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Install the NeoForge server
- Make a clean server directory. Create a folder such as
Pixelmon-Serverand use it for one pack only. Keeping different Minecraft versions in separate folders prevents old libraries and configuration files from being mixed. - Download the NeoForge installer for the pack’s Minecraft version. For Pixelmon 9.3.x, that means the NeoForge build intended for Minecraft 1.21.1. Do not select an installer merely because its number looks newer; it must match the pack’s Minecraft version.
- Run the installer and select “Install Server.” Point it at the dedicated folder. The installer creates the server libraries and launch files; it does not install Pixelmon content by itself.
- Check the Java executable. From a terminal,
java -versionshould report the runtime required by your release line. If multiple Java versions are installed, use the correct one in the operating system’s PATH or configure the generated script to call its full path.
If the installer refuses to run, the usual causes are the wrong Java major version, a damaged download, or selecting a client-install option instead of “Install Server.” Fix the runtime or redownload the installer before adding any mods.
Add the Pixelmon server files
Use a server pack, not the ordinary client download. Two supported routes are common:
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CurseForge server pack
- Download the server-pack ZIP for the exact Pixelmon modpack release.
- Extract its contents into the NeoForge server directory. If the ZIP contains a top-level folder, move the files inside that folder so that the launch script, libraries, and configuration files are together in the directory you will run.
- Allow existing NeoForge files to remain when the pack instructions expect them, but do not merge files from a different Pixelmon release.
ATLauncher installation
- Create a server instance for the selected Pixelmon pack in ATLauncher.
- Choose the server-install option and the destination directory.
- Let the launcher fetch the pack’s mods, configs, and required libraries, then use the generated start files in that directory.
Whichever route you use, compare the displayed pack version with the version every player will install. A server can start successfully with the wrong pack and still reject every client later.
Set the Java heap in user_jvm_args.txt
NeoForge-generated servers commonly keep user memory settings in user_jvm_args.txt. Open that file with a plain-text editor and set an initial heap appropriate to your machine. For an 8 GB allocation, a typical starting pair is:
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-Xmx8GFor a machine that can spare only the minimum allocation, use 6 GB instead:
-Xms6G
-Xmx6GFixed minimum and maximum heaps avoid repeated heap resizing. Pixelmon’s performance guidance also demonstrates G1 garbage collection flags; if you use those examples, treat them as starting values and test on your own hardware rather than assuming they guarantee a particular tick rate. Never allocate all system RAM: Java, the operating system, the launcher, and backup tools need headroom.
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Start the server and complete first-run setup
- Launch the generated script. On Windows, run
run.bat. On macOS or Linux, run the matching shell script supplied by the installer or server pack (often namedrun.sh), making it executable first if the operating system requires that. - Read the console output. The first launch creates libraries, configuration files, a world directory, and an
eula.txtfile. It may stop automatically after this preparation; that shutdown is expected. - Accept the Minecraft EULA if prompted. Open
eula.txt, change the acceptance setting as required by the file, save it, and relaunch. Do this only after reading the displayed terms. - Start the same script again. A normal startup ends with a console indicating that the server is ready for connections. Keep the console window open while testing.
Do not double-click repeatedly when startup appears slow. Pixelmon has many assets and can take substantially longer than a vanilla server to load. Multiple simultaneous launches can lock files or create confusing partial logs.
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Make the server reachable
For players on the same home network, give them the host computer’s private LAN address and the configured Minecraft port. For internet play, the router must forward that port to the host machine, and the operating-system firewall must allow Java or the server process. Use a fixed local address or a DHCP reservation so the forwarding rule does not break after a reboot.
- Test locally first by connecting from the host or another machine on the same network.
- Then test from an external connection, such as a phone hotspot. Testing only from inside the LAN can hide a missing router rule.
- Share the public address only with the people who need it, and enable a whitelist for a private group.
- If your internet service uses carrier-grade NAT, inbound forwarding may not work; a managed host or a tunnel service may be necessary.
Keep the server console available during the first connection attempt. Authentication, registry, and mod-list errors are easier to diagnose from the log than from a client’s generic disconnect screen.
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Each player should install the same modpack distribution and release through a launcher such as CurseForge, Prism Launcher, or Modrinth. The client and server must agree on:
- Pixelmon version and Minecraft version.
- NeoForge build for current packs, or the documented legacy loader for older packs.
- Every required mod, dependency, configuration file, and resource pack included by the distribution.
- Java major version where the launcher permits choosing it. Java 21 is required for Pixelmon 9.3.x; Java 17 is used by 9.2.x.
Do not copy a player’s entire client instance over the server. Client-only visual or performance mods can crash a dedicated server. Use the pack’s server ZIP or its server installer, then let players install the client pack separately.
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Verify the installation before inviting a group
- Start the server and wait for the ready message without red errors.
- Connect one client from the exact pack version.
- Create a test world or load the intended world and confirm that Pixelmon creatures, items, and commands are available.
- Join with a second client from another machine to verify the network path and authentication.
- Watch the console while generating new chunks and traveling. Note long pauses, repeated exceptions, or memory usage approaching the maximum heap.
- Stop cleanly from the console rather than killing the process. Make a backup of the world and configuration before opening the server to more players.
Tune performance without guessing
Start with the default pack configuration and change one variable at a time. Pixelmon combines a large mod set with world generation, creature simulation, and chunk loading, so a server that feels fine with one player can slow down when several players explore different areas.
- Memory: Keep the 6 GB minimum or 8 GB small-group starting point, then increase only when logs and operating-system monitoring show sustained pressure.
- Garbage collection: G1GC examples from Pixelmon’s performance guidance can be tested with fixed heaps. Record the original arguments so you can revert if pauses worsen.
- World generation: Pre-generating an area before an event can reduce live chunk-generation spikes, but it consumes disk space and time.
- View and simulation distance: Lower these settings if tick time rises while players spread out. Change server properties deliberately and measure after each change.
- Storage: Keep the world on local SSD storage when possible. Avoid running the live world from a network share or a folder scanned aggressively by synchronization software.
- Extra mods: Add only mods known to support the same Minecraft and NeoForge versions. Every additional mod increases the chance of dependency or registry conflicts.
Backups, updates, and safe shutdowns
Stop the server cleanly before copying the world. Maintain at least one backup that is not stored in the live server directory, and periodically test restoring it to a separate instance. Back up the world, config, server.properties, whitelist and operator files, and any custom scripts.
For an update, make a backup, record the current Pixelmon, Minecraft, NeoForge, and Java versions, and install the new pack in a separate directory first. Never overwrite a working world until the new combination has started and a test client has connected. Modpack updates can alter registries or world data; keep the old directory so you can roll back.
Troubleshoot the failures people hit most often
| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Installer or server exits with an unsupported-class or Java error. | Java major version does not match the Pixelmon line. | Check java -version; use Java 21 for 9.3.x, Java 17 for 9.2.x, or the documented legacy runtime. |
| Server starts, but every client reports missing mods or an incompatible registry. | Client and server use different pack, loader, or mod versions. | Reinstall the exact same distribution on the client and server. Do not mix a Forge client with a current NeoForge pack. |
| The first launch closes immediately. | Normal first-run preparation, missing EULA acceptance, or an early configuration error. | Read the console, inspect eula.txt, accept it if required, and launch again. If it still stops, use the first error in the log rather than the final shutdown line. |
| Players on the internet cannot connect, but local players can. | Router forwarding, firewall rules, changing LAN address, or carrier-grade NAT. | Reserve the host’s LAN address, forward the server port, allow Java through the firewall, and test from an external network. |
| Server lags when several players explore. | Chunk generation, simulation distance, insufficient headroom, slow storage, or extra mods. | Observe memory and tick behavior, lower distances, use faster storage, pre-generate cautiously, and change one setting at a time. |
| World or configuration disappears after an update. | Files were overwritten without a backup or the new pack was installed into the old directory. | Restore the backup, install the new release separately, and migrate only after a successful test. |
What a reliable Pixelmon server setup looks like
A dependable setup has a version record, a dedicated directory, the loader and Java runtime required by that version, a conservative heap allocation, and a tested backup. For Pixelmon 9.3.x, the practical baseline is NeoForge on Minecraft 1.21.1, Java 21, and 6 GB minimum RAM with 8 GB recommended for a small group. Install the server pack, configure user_jvm_args.txt, run the generated script twice if the first run performs its expected shutdown, and require every player to use the same modpack and loader.
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