To play Vault Hunters with friends, install Vault Hunters 3rd Edition through CurseForge (the simplest route) or Prism Launcher (for more control), run Minecraft 1.18.2 with Java 17, and allocate about 8 GB (8192 MB) of RAM. Multiplayer then depends on either an eligible official server or a self-hosted server. Once everyone is on the same pack version, form a party, agree on death and timer rules, and enter a vault together.
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What Vault Hunters is and what you do in a run
Vault Hunters is a Minecraft action-RPG modpack built around timed, randomly generated dungeon runs. Your normal world is the preparation area: you gather materials, craft a vault rock, open a portal, and enter a fresh vault. Inside, you pursue an objective, fight and explore under a countdown, collect loot, and try to extract before time expires.
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The pack has two different progression systems. Ordinary Minecraft experience remains separate from Vault XP. Vault XP comes from activities such as completing runs, objectives, and collecting loot. As your Vault level rises, you receive skill points to spend on abilities and talents, so surviving runs improves what your character can do in later vaults.
You can play alone, but the systems are especially suited to online groups. A party lets players coordinate a shared run, while server rules determine who may enter, whether experience and maps are shared, and what happens after a death.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Requirements before installing
| Item | Guidance | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft version | 1.18.2 | The modpack and its current installation guidance target this version. |
| Java | Java 17, preferably 64-bit | The launcher and pack need the matching Java runtime; a 32-bit runtime can prevent adequate memory allocation. |
| Client memory | Allocate at least 8 GB (8192 MB) | This is the recommended allocation for a smooth single-player or multiplayer experience. |
| Free disk space | Approximately 3 GB | The official wiki lists this as the approximate space needed for the installation. |
| Graphics software | Current graphics drivers | Out-of-date drivers can cause crashes or rendering problems. |
Allocating memory does not create more physical RAM. Leave enough memory for your operating system and other running applications; assigning nearly all installed RAM to Minecraft can make the computer less stable. If the launcher shows memory in MiB, 8192 MiB is the practical equivalent of the 8 GB setting used in the installation guidance.
Choose a launcher
| Launcher | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| CurseForge Launcher | Most players, especially first-time modpack users | The easiest supported installation flow: search for the pack, choose a release, install, and launch. |
| Prism Launcher | Advanced users who want instance-level control | More control over instances and Java settings, but more choices to configure correctly. |
Use the same Vault Hunters release on every computer. A client that has a different pack version can fail to connect even when Minecraft itself is installed correctly.
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- Install and open the CurseForge Launcher.
- Open the Minecraft section and search for Vault Hunters 3rd Edition.
- Select the release your group intends to use. Do not mix releases between players or between a client and its server.
- Choose Install and wait for the launcher to download the pack and its dependencies.
- Open the installed profile and launch it. The first launch can take longer while files are prepared.
- In the profile’s Minecraft settings, set the instance memory slider to 8192 MB. If your computer cannot leave sufficient memory for the operating system at that allocation, lower other workloads first rather than immediately assigning all available RAM.
If the game reaches the title screen, check the displayed Minecraft version and profile name before joining a server. Keep the profile intact instead of adding unrelated mods; extra modifications can create version or compatibility errors.
Install with Prism Launcher
Prism Launcher is a reasonable alternative when you already manage separate Minecraft instances or want more direct control over Java and memory. Labels can vary by Prism version, but the sequence is consistent:
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
- Install Prism Launcher and create or import a Minecraft instance for Vault Hunters 3rd Edition.
- Choose Minecraft 1.18.2 for the instance and select a 64-bit Java 17 runtime.
- Open the instance’s memory settings and set the maximum near 8196 MiB or higher where available. Keep the same practical limit in mind: the host operating system and other applications still need memory.
- Complete the modpack installation, then launch the instance once before trying multiplayer. This exposes Java-path, missing-file, and memory errors before you add a server connection.
- Confirm that every member of your group has the same instance version and Java major version.
Prism gives you more knobs, not a different game. If you are unsure which Java executable to select or how much memory to assign, CurseForge is less error-prone for a first installation.
Verify the first launch
Before organizing a co-op run, perform a short local check:
- Reach the Minecraft main menu without a crash or a Java error.
- Confirm the profile is Vault Hunters 3rd Edition and the game version is 1.18.2.
- Check that the launcher reports Java 17 and that the allocated memory is about 8192 MB.
- Enter a test world and move around for several minutes. If the game stutters badly or closes, solve that locally before connecting to friends.
- Make sure you have roughly 3 GB of free disk space for the pack and its files.
When a computer is marginal, reducing render distance is one of the documented troubleshooting priorities. It lowers the amount of world data the client must draw while leaving the vault rules unchanged.
Ways to play multiplayer
| Route | Setup effort | Access and cost considerations | Administrative control | Persistence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official server | Low after the account and access requirements are met | Requires a Minecraft account and a valid access tier for the server | Server operator controls rules and availability | Provided by the server |
| Self-hosted server | Higher; you install and maintain the supplied server files | No general access-tier statement applies; the host supplies the machine or service | You control settings, files, backups, and player access | Depends on your machine, uptime, and backups |
The official guidance describes these as the broad choices: install the client for solo play, use an official server when you meet its access requirements, or run the supplied server files yourself. The community guidance notes that Vault Hunters works alone but is particularly suited to playing with friends online.
Rank #3
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Self-hosting: memory and preparation
Self-hosting means downloading the supplied server files, running the server on a machine that can stay online, and giving friends the connection details. Follow the server package’s included instructions for its startup method and file layout; those details are specific to the release you selected.
The official how-to-play guidance gives a rule of thumb of 4 GB plus 2 GB for every player who will be online at the same time. This is not a guaranteed minimum for every world or configuration, but it is a useful planning figure. For example, four concurrent players would imply about 12 GB under that rule (4 GB + 4 × 2 GB). A busy server, additional software, or a larger player count can require more headroom.
- Use the same Vault Hunters release on the server and every client.
- Keep the server’s Java installation compatible with the pack’s Java 17 requirement.
- Reserve memory for the operating system and any backup or monitoring process.
- Back up the world before changing gamerules or updating the pack.
- Tell players the server’s restart schedule and what happens if the host is offline.
Persistent multiplayer is the main advantage of a dedicated server: players can return to the same world and progression without relying on one person’s client being open. The trade-off is that you, as host, are responsible for updates, access control, backups, and recovery.
Form a party before entering a co-op vault
Do not treat a vault entrance like an ordinary Minecraft doorway. First make sure everyone is on the same server and has joined the intended party through the pack’s party interface. The administrator may require party membership before another player can join the vault.
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Use this pre-run sequence:
- Meet in a safe area and confirm that all players are connected to the same server.
- Check that every client reports the same modpack release and has enough allocated memory to remain stable.
- Create or join the party that will enter the vault. Verify the roster before anyone activates the portal.
- Ask the server administrator which party, map, experience, spectator, death, and timer rules are active.
- Agree on the run’s objective, who carries shared supplies, and what the group does if one player disconnects.
- Only then craft the vault rock and open the portal.
The party check matters because a server can enforce /gamerule vaultJoinRequireParty. Its documented default is True, so an ungrouped friend may be blocked even when they are online and standing beside the portal.
Server settings that change co-op behavior
Ask the administrator for the active values rather than assuming defaults. The documented settings include:
| Setting | Documented behavior | Question to settle before a run |
|---|---|---|
vaultJoinRequireParty |
Default True; controls whether a player must belong to the party to join its vault. | Who is in the party, and can a late player join? |
| Party XP-sharing mode | The administrator can choose how experience is shared among party members. | Does everyone receive shared Vault XP, or only the player performing an action? |
vaultPartyMapSharing |
Default False; controls whether party members share discovered map information. | Will each player keep a separate map view? |
| Spectator settings | The administrator can control how spectating works after a player is out of the active run. | Can a dead or eliminated player watch the remaining party? |
vaultTimer |
Default 25 minutes. | What countdown applies to this server and difficulty? |
| Vault mode | Casual, Normal, and Hardcore change the consequence of death. | Which death penalty has the group accepted? |
| Loot and XP multipliers | The administrator can adjust rewards and experience rates. | Are the server’s rewards standard or modified? |
These settings are server-side decisions. A client cannot reliably change them for everyone, and changing them mid-season can alter the meaning of earlier progression. Record the values in your group chat or server description so new players know the rules before they enter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand the timer and the death modes
The documented default vault timer is 25 minutes. Treat the countdown as a hard planning constraint: leave time to reach the objective, collect useful loot, and return rather than spending every second pushing deeper. Your group should decide in advance whether to extract early when the route becomes unsafe.
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Vault mode determines what death means:
- Casual: players keep their items.
- Normal: a spirit is created on death.
- Hardcore: no spirit is created.
None of these labels tells you how your particular server handles disconnects, spectators, or a party member who dies while others continue. Ask the administrator before the first run and make the answer part of your group agreement.
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A practical first vault
- Prepare in the overworld. Gather the required materials, including Chromatic Iron and Vault Stone, then craft a vault rock.
- Brief the party. Confirm the objective, the active timer, the death mode, and who is responsible for navigation or supplies.
- Open the portal. Activate the vault only when every intended player is ready and already belongs to the party.
- Read the objective. The objective determines what progress looks like; do not spend the entire run fighting without checking it.
- Move deliberately. Keep the party together enough to help one another, but avoid crowding narrow areas or splitting without a reason.
- Manage the clock. Set an internal turn-around point before the final minutes so the group is not forced into a panicked exit.
- Extract with the value you have. A safe return with useful loot and Vault XP is better than losing a successful run to unnecessary last-minute risk.
The exact rooms, enemies, loot and objectives are random, so no single route is guaranteed to work. Your repeatable advantage is preparation: know the rules, communicate the objective, and keep the countdown visible in your decisions.
Progression after the first runs
Vault XP is earned from runs, objectives, and loot. It is separate from ordinary Minecraft XP, and gaining a Vault level grants skill points for abilities and talents. Spend those points according to the role your group actually needs: survival, movement, damage, utility, or another specialization supported by your current build.
Progression is not finished when you can comfortably complete an early vault. The CurseForge FAQ states that the endgame requires collecting 25 unique artifacts before facing Eyesore, the Vault Warden. Because artifacts are unique collectibles rather than a single item count, track which ones the group has already obtained and avoid assuming that repeated drops advance the requirement.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot the problems that stop groups from playing
The game crashes during startup
- Check that the instance uses 64-bit Java 17, not another major version or a 32-bit runtime.
- Verify the pack release and Minecraft version are correct on the client.
- Confirm the memory allocation is near 8192 MB and that the computer has enough physical RAM left for the operating system.
- Update graphics drivers.
- Remove unrelated customizations and launch the unmodified pack profile.
The game launches but is unstable or stutters
- Reduce render distance first, especially on a lower-memory computer.
- Close other memory-intensive applications.
- Recheck that the launcher is applying the intended memory value to this instance, rather than to a different profile.
- Test a local world before diagnosing the server; this separates client performance issues from network or server issues.
A friend cannot join the server
- Compare the exact Vault Hunters release and Minecraft version on both sides.
- Confirm the friend is using Java 17 and has completed the same pack installation.
- Ask whether the server is an official route requiring a valid access tier or a self-hosted route with its own connection instructions.
- Check whether
vaultJoinRequirePartyis enabled and add the player to the party before they attempt to enter the vault.
The group enters but the run behaves differently than expected
- Ask the administrator for the current
vaultTimer, vault mode, loot and XP multipliers, spectator behavior, and map-sharing value. - Check whether party XP sharing is enabled in the way your group expected.
- Do not infer server settings from a previous world; settings can differ between servers or seasons.
Multiplayer launch checklist
- Every player has Minecraft 1.18.2 and Java 17.
- Every player uses the same Vault Hunters 3rd Edition release.
- Each client allocates about 8192 MB and has adequate free system memory.
- The installation has roughly 3 GB of free disk space available.
- The group has chosen an official server or identified who will maintain the self-hosted files.
- The host has planned server memory using the 4 GB plus 2 GB per concurrent player rule of thumb.
- Everyone has joined the intended party before the portal opens.
- The group knows the timer, objective, death mode, spectator policy, XP-sharing mode, and map-sharing setting.
- The party has a return plan instead of waiting until the final seconds.
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