Bed Wars Minecraft Server Setup: Hosting, Plugins & Game Rules
Game Updated on : January 12, 2026A Bed Wars Minecraft Server is a multiplayer PvP server where teams protect their beds, gather resources, and eliminate opponents to win matches. Popular servers like Hypixel, PikaNetwork, and JartexNetwork showcase how engaging Bed Wars gameplay can be.
In this guide, you will learn what a Bed Wars Minecraft server is. How to do Bed Wars server setup? Which hosting works best? recommended Bed Wars plugins, Bed Wars server rules, and many more exciting things about it.
What Is a Bed Wars Minecraft Server?
In Bed Wars, players form teams and compete to protect their own beds while destroying the opposing team’s beds. Once one team loses their bed, that team cannot respawn, so the objective is to eliminate the other team by destroying their bed.
In addition to competing, players must also manage their available resources strategically to keep up with the other teams. Players can collect iron, gold, emerald, and diamond coins from the various resource producers throughout the map, which they can use to buy weapons, armour, utilities, or upgrades for their team. Some examples of team upgrades include sharpened swords, faster speed through the map and protection systems for their beds.
Requirements to Create a Bed Wars Server
Before launching your Bed Wars server, ensure you have these foundational elements:
Server Software & Specifications:
- Java Edition Minecraft server software (Spigot, PaperMC, or Purpur recommended)
- For vanilla Bed Wars, 4GB – 6GB RAM is recommended with 10 to 20 players (modern 1.17+ versions)
- Stable internet connection with 50+ Mbps upload speed
- CPU with strong single-threaded performance (critical for Minecraft)
- SSD storage for faster chunk loading (minimum 20GB recommended)
Technical Knowledge:
You need to have basic familiarity with server management, like FTP, file configuration, and an understanding of plugin installation and file configuration. You must know how to troubleshoot common server issues, and it’s also better to have access to a domain name.
Software & Plugins:
- A Bed Wars plugin (Screaming BedWars or BedWars1058)
- Supporting plugins (Multiverse-Core, Citizens for NPC shops)
- Optional: anti-lag plugins like ClearLagg, StackMob
Hosting Options:
- Managed hosting service (easiest for beginners)
- Self-hosted dedicated server or VPS (more control, higher complexity)
- Cloud hosting platform (AWS, Azure, GCP-most expensive)
Best Bed Wars Minecraft Server Hosting
Finding the right Bed Wars server hosting impacts experience. A good choice means faster reactions, almost no downtime, and responsive support for troubleshooting issues.
1. Minehut
Pricing: Free
Minehut is a popular choice amongst beginners and players who want to build community, as it offers free Minecraft server hosting. You can create and launch your own Bed Wars server on your own with minimal setup. Also, can browse and join a list of top-rated servers that other players have voted on, like MavenMC, Jaertex, Retrograde, and PikaNetwork, each one features active Bed Wars gameplay and player community.
This makes it easy to start playing with friends online, and its free-to-start model helps new server owners test Bed Wars without upfront costs.
2. ScalaCube
Pricing: starts at $2/month
ScalaCube provides dedicated Minecraft server hosting that supports Bed Wars and other custom game modes. With this, you can launch a server directly from their control panel and install Bed Wars or Bed Wars+ game servers with a few clicks.
It offers features like DDoS protection, 24/7 uptime, plugin/mod support, and full control panel access, which makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced server admins. ScalaCube is often recommended for players who want a reliable server with room to grow their community.
3. Wabbanode
Pricing: starts at $2.99/month
Wabbanode offers Minecraft server hosting that can be adapted for Bed Wars gameplay, including modded Bed Wars experiences like Bedwars With Guns or other custom modpacks. Their platform provides instant server setup, NVMe storage, enterprise-grade DDoS protection, and 24/7 support so you can focus on running your games.
This type of hosting is ideal if you want to run modified or unique Bed Wars servers (like ones with extra game mechanics) or if you are building a server for a larger player base with special gameplay features.
4. Nodecraft
Pricing: starts at $ 5.96/month
Nodecraft is a professional Minecraft server host known for flexibility and reliability. It supports Bed Wars Minecraft Server Hosting with strong performance tools and options for scalable gameplay. Nodecraft includes features like easy server management, solid uptime, and modern backend tools that help keep your Bed Wars world running smoothly and securely.
Although not specific to Bed Wars (like Minehut’s server list), Nodecraft’s platform is ideal for players and server owners who need high performance, configurable settings, and strong backend support for bigger Bed Wars communities.
Below are some Reference Server Options:
1. Hypixel
Hypixel operates the industry-standard Bed Wars experience with millions of daily players. While you cannot fork Hypixel’s server code, understanding their architecture reveals best practices: massive infrastructure spanning multiple data centers, sophisticated ELO-based matchmaking, premium cosmetics integration, and seamless cross-version support.
2. PikaNetwork
Since 2014, PikaNetwork has delivered competitive Bed Wars alongside SkyBlock, KitPvP, and other game modes. Their Bed Wars implementation features balanced gameplay, dynamic maps, and ranked progression systems. Players join via play.pika-network.net with transparent support systems and monetization through cosmetics and seasonal battle passes.
3. JartexNetwork
JartexNetwork distinguishes itself by offering Bedrock-compatible Bed Wars, allowing cross-platform play between Java and Pocket Edition players via play.jartexnetwork.net. This inclusion is crucial for reaching console gamers (PS4, Xbox) and mobile players.
4. RetrogradeNetwork
RetrogradeNetwork combines Bed Wars with survival, factions, and economy systems, creating a hybrid experience that appeals to players wanting progression alongside competitive gameplay. Their infrastructure supports 1.21.130 client versions with tier-based monetization.
5. MavenMC
While less mainstream than Hypixel or PikaNetwork, MavenMC offers competitive Bed Wars with a focus on map quality, fair cosmetics, and anti-cheat enforcement. They cater to communities that build semi-public servers.
How to Set Up a Bed Wars Minecraft Server (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Download Server Software
Download PaperMC (recommended for stability and performance) from papermc.io. PaperMC provides better optimization than vanilla Spigot, resulting in reduced lag and faster chunk loading.
- Visit the PaperMC download page
- Select your desired Minecraft version (1.20.4+ recommended)
- Download the JAR file to your server directory
- Create a startup script:
bash
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 paper.jar nogui
(Adjust -Xmx4G to your allocated RAM)
Step 2: Install Bed Wars Plugin
Download either Screaming BedWars (free, versatile) or BedWars1058 (open-source, multi-arena).
- Download the plugin JAR file
- Navigate to your server’s /plugins folder
- Paste the JAR file directly
- Restart the server
- The plugin auto-generates configuration files
Step 3: Configure Your First Arena
Using Screaming BedWars as an example:
1. Select Arena Boundaries: Fly to the bottom-left corner of your arena location and execute:
bash
text
/bw admin pos1
Then fly to the opposite top-right corner and execute:
text
/bw admin pos2
2. Create Teams: For a 2v2 setup, create red and blue teams:
text
/bw admin team add Red RED 2
/bw admin team add Blue BLUE 2
(Replace RED/BLUE with team color, and 2 with max players per team)
3. Set Team Spawns: Stand at your red team’s spawn location and execute:
text
/bw admin team spawn Red
Repeat for the blue team.
4. Set Beds: Look at the bed you want to assign to the red team and execute:
text /bw admin team bed Red
Repeat for the blue team.
5. Add Resource Generators: Stand at an iron generator location and execute:
text
/bw admin addgenerator IRON
Repeat for GOLD, EMERALD, and DIAMOND generators as desired.
6. Set Shop Location: Stand where you want the shop NPC and execute:
text
/bw admin shop
7. Finalize Arena: After all configurations, execute:
text
/bw admin save
Then set the main lobby:
text
/bw main lobby set
Step 4: Install Supporting Plugins
Download and install these recommended plugins:
- Multiverse-Core: Enables multiple worlds/arenas
- Citizens: Powers NPC shopkeepers
- ViaVersion/ViaBackwards: Supports multiple Minecraft versions (1.8.8-1.20.4)
- ClearLagg: Reduces entity lag (optional but highly recommended)
Place each JAR in the /plugins folder and restart the server.
Step 5: Test & Launch
- Start the server and verify no errors appear in the console
- Join as an admin and test the arena functionality:
text/bw join
- Verify all team spawns, beds, generators, and shops function correctly
- Test damage mechanics and respawn behavior
- Adjust team sizes, generator rates, or shop pricing as needed
Bed Wars Minecraft Server Setup Overview
A Bed Wars Minecraft server is a custom multiplayer setup where teams compete to destroy enemy beds while protecting their own. Once a team’s bed is destroyed, eliminated players can no longer respawn, making strategy and coordination essential.
To create a Bed Wars server, administrators need Java Edition server software such as Paper, a compatible Bed Wars plugin, properly configured maps, and reliable hosting with sufficient CPU and RAM. Performance optimization, balanced resource generation, and EULA-compliant monetization are critical for long-term stability.
Most servers begin with a small player cap and scale gradually by adding more arenas, improving hardware resources, and refining gameplay rules based on player feedback. Successful Bed Wars servers focus on fair gameplay, smooth performance, and community engagement rather than pay-to-win mechanics.
Best Bed Wars Plugins for Minecraft
Popular Bed Wars Plugins
1. Screaming BedWars (Free)
- Easy setup and configuration
- Flexible arena creation system
- Main lobby support with automatic player distribution
- Comprehensive admin commands for map editing
- Active development and community support
2. BedWars1058 (Open-Source)
- Multi-arena support with arena groups
- SlimeWorldManager integration for performance
- Advanced team management options
- Spectator mode functionality
- Compatible with 1.8+ versions
- Customizable game messages
3. Marcely’s BedWars (Premium)
- 300+ cosmetics system (EULA-compliant)
- Coin-based economy with shop integration
- Victory animations and kill effects
- Professional cosmetics UI
- Rated highest for visual polish and feature completeness
Required Supporting Plugins
| Plugin Name | Purpose | Installation | Notes |
| Multiverse-Core | Multiple world/arena management | Drop JAR in plugins folder | Essential for organizing arenas |
| Citizens | NPC shopkeepers | Drop JAR, run /npc create | Creates interactive shop NPCs |
| ViaVersion | Version compatibility (newer versions joining older servers) | Drop JAR, no config needed | Supports 1.8.8 up to 1.21.11 |
| ViaBackwards | Version compatibility (older versions joining newer servers) | Works with ViaVersion | Extends compatibility range |
| ClearLagg | Entity culling and lag reduction | Drop JAR, configure entity limits | Still widely used, but many 2026 servers prefer ClearLaggEnhanced or SmartLagOptimizer for modern 1.21+ optimization |
| StackMob | Stack mobs to reduce lag | Drop JAR, configure stacking rules | Especially useful for mob farms |
| Chunky | Pre-generate chunks | Drop JAR, run /chunky start | Reduces lag spikes on first load |
| LiteBans | Moderation and bans | Drop JAR, configure database | Essential for community safety |
Bed Wars Minecraft Server Game Rules
Standard Bed Wars Rules
Team Structure:
- 2v2 (doubles): 2 players per team, 1v1 deathmatch once beds are destroyed
- 3v3v3v3 (triples): 3 players per team, 4 competing teams
- 4v4v4v4: Maximum chaos with 4 players per team
- Solo Bed Wars: 1v1v1…v1 free-for-all variant
Spawn & Resources:
- Players spawn on isolated islands with a bed
- Each island contains a resource generator (iron, gold)
- Central map areas feature emerald and diamond generators
- Typical resource generation rates: Iron (1 every 2 seconds), Gold (1 every 3 seconds), Emerald (1 every 30 seconds), Diamond (1 every 30 seconds)
Shops & Upgrades:
- Players accumulate resources and purchase items from shops
- Shop categories: Weapons, Armor, Tools, Utilities, Team Upgrades
- Team upgrades apply to all team members: Sharpness, Knockback, Protection
- Bed Protection system prevents instant bed destruction
Win Conditions:
- Bed Destruction: Destroy all enemy beds (goal is to be the last team standing)
- Player Elimination: Once a bed is destroyed, defeated players cannot respawn
- Final Deathmatch: Once one team has no bed, remaining players engage in final combat
- Victory: The Last team with a standing bed wins; all players are awarded based on performance
Prohibited Mechanics:
- Beds cannot be destroyed by explosions or suffocation
- Respawning is blocked once bed is destroyed
- Some versions disable mob spawning to prevent mob farms during matches
- Custom Game Rules
- Customize your server’s difficulty and progression:
Difficulty Modifiers:
- Hardcore Mode: Players who die cannot rejoin the match (single life per match)
- Resource Scaling: Increase/decrease generator rates for balance
- Shop Price Variance: Adjust item costs to favor economy-focused play
- Map Rotation: Cycle through different arena maps for variety
Competitive Enhancements:
- Ranked Mode: ELO-based matchmaking and seasonal rankings
- Tournament Support: Best-of-3 or Best-of-5 series for competitive leagues
- Statistics Tracking: Win/loss ratios, kills, deaths, win percentage
- Cosmetics Integration: Victory dances, kill effects, and sprays earned through the cosmetics shop
Beginner-Friendly Settings:
- Longer countdown before game starts (90 seconds vs. 60)
- Higher shop prices to extend the early-game strategy period
- Faster emerald generation to reduce snowballing
- Disable ranked mode entirely
Important Bed Wars Server Commands
Player Commands
| Command | Function | Example |
| /bw join [arena] | Join a Bed Wars game | /bw join DuoMap1 |
| /bw leave | Exit the current arena | /bw leave |
| /bw list | View all available arenas | /bw list |
| /bw stats | Display personal Bed Wars statistics | /bw stats |
| /bw autojoin | Automatically join the next available game | /bw autojoin |
| /bw rejoin | Rejoin the last game you played | /bw rejoin |
| /bw help | Display the command help menu | /bw help |
Admin Commands
| Command | Function | Usage |
| /bw admin <arena> add | Create a new arena | /bw admin MyArena add |
| /bw admin <arena> pos1 | Set arena boundary (corner 1) | Stand at the position, execute the command |
| /bw admin <arena> pos2 | Set arena boundary (corner 2) | Stand at the position, execute the command |
| /bw admin <arena> team add <name> <color> <max> | Create team | /bw admin MyArena team add Red RED 4 |
| /bw admin <arena> team spawn <team> | Set team spawn location | Stand at spawn, execute command |
| /bw admin <arena> team bed <team> | Set team bed location | Look at the bed, execute the command |
| /bw admin <arena> addgenerator <type> | Add resource generator | /bw admin MyArena addgenerator IRON |
| /bw admin <arena> shop | Set shop NPC location | Stand at the location, execute the command |
| /bw admin <arena> lobby | Set lobby spawn | Stand in the lobby, execute the command |
| /bw admin <arena> save | Save arena configuration | After all the setup is complete |
| /bw reload | Reload the plugin after changes | Use after config file edits |
Moderator Commands
| Command | Function |
| /bw tp [player] | Teleport to track suspected cheaters |
| /bw start debug | Force-start game (debugging only) |
| /bw disableArena <name> | Temporarily disable arena for maintenance |
| /bw enableArena <name> | Re-enable disabled arena |
Performance Optimization Tips
Bed Wars servers demand CPU-intensive chunk loading and entity processing. Implement these optimization strategies:
Server Configuration Optimization:
1. Paper Configuration (paper-global.yml):
text
chunk-loading:
autoconfig-send-distance: true
max-concurrent-sends: 2
2. Server Properties (server.properties):
text
view-distance=10
simulation-distance=8
(Reduce if lag persists; affects chunk loading radius)
3. Java Flags (Startup Script):
bash
java -Xmx6G -Xms6G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 \
-XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch paper.jar nogui
Plugin-Based Optimization:
1. ClearLagg: Install and configure entity limits per chunk to prevent lag spikes
text
# ClearLagg config.yml
entity-limit:
enabled: true
max-mobs-per-chunk: 20
max-items-per-chunk: 20
2. StackMob: Automatically stack similar mobs, reducing entity count:
text
stack-mobs: true
stack-amount: 16
3. Chunky: Pre-generate chunks before players join to eliminate loading lag:
text
/chunky start 5000
(Generates a 5000 block radius around the spawn)
Hardware Recommendations:
| Player Count | CPU | RAM | Storage | Uptime Target |
| 10-15 | Dual-core 3.5+ GHz | 4GB | 30GB SSD | 99.5% |
| 20-35 | Quad-core 4.0+ GHz | 8GB | 50GB SSD | 99.9% |
| 50+ | Hexa-core 4.0+ GHz+ | 16GB+ | 100GB+ SSD | 99.99% |
Monetization Options for Bed Wars Servers
Monetization must comply with the Minecraft EULA, which prohibits pay-to-win mechanics. Focus on cosmetics, cosmetics, and convenience items:
Cosmetics & Visual Effects (EULA-Compliant):
Integrate [Marcely’s Cosmetics & Coins addon] offering 300+ EULA-friendly cosmetics:
- Kill Effects: Fireworks explosions, particle trails when eliminating enemies
- Victory Dances: Animated emotes displayed after winning matches
- Sprays: Temporary ground graffiti visible to teammates
- Island Toppers: Decorative elements above team spawn islands
- Death Cries: Custom sounds when your player dies
- Projectile Trails: Particle effects on thrown items and projectiles
- Chat Effects: Text formatting and color customization
Monetization Models:
1. In-Game Currency Shop: Players earn cosmetics through:
- Seasonal battle passes (cosmetics earned through playtime)
- Loot crates (chance-based cosmetics from match rewards)
- Direct cosmetics shop (purchasable with real money or earned currency)
2. Ranks & VIP Status:
- VIP rank grants cosmetics, command access, and queue priority
- Premium rank includes exclusive cosmetics unavailable to free players
- Lifetime rank for permanent cosmetics access
3. Battle Passes (Seasonal):
- $4.99 USD per season (3 months)
- Unlock cosmetics through 100 tiers of progression
- Free tier available with limited cosmetics
4. Cosmetics Bundles:
- Sell thematic cosmetics collections (e.g., “Dragon Bundle” with dragon effects)
- Limited-time cosmetics create urgency for purchases
- Seasonal events unlock exclusive cosmetics
Common Bed Wars Server Issues & Fixes
Server Won’t Start
Problem: Server fails to launch or immediately crashes.
Solutions:
- Java 17 is required for modern Minecraft versions (1.18+)
- Check the plugins folder, remove new plugins one by one to identify the culprit
- Review server logs for error messages
- Ensure PaperMC JAR matches your server version (1.8.8, 1.20.4, etc.)
- Allocate minimum 2GB RAM: -Xmx2G
Extreme Lag During Matches
Problem: TPS drops, players teleport erratically, and block breaking lags.
Solutions:
1. Check Entity Count:
text
/spark ticks –timeout 30
Install Spark plugin to profile server performance.
2. Reduce View Distance: Set view-distance=8 in server.properties
3. Clear Lag Entities:
text
/clearlag mobs
/clearlag drops
4. Disable Unnecessary Features: Disable mob spawning if not needed, reduce particle effects
5. Upgrade Hardware: Lag often indicates insufficient CPU power (Minecraft is single-threaded); upgrade to a higher-frequency CPU
Players Cannot Join (Server Full)
Problem: New players receive the “Server is full” message despite open slots.
Solutions:
1. Verify the max players setting in server.properties:
text
max-players=50
2. Increase slots if capacity permits (adjust RAM allocation accordingly)
3. Configure VIP bypass:
text
# For BedWars plugins
bw.vip.forcejoin permission allows joining full arenas
4. Check for stuck players: Use /kick @a to remove disconnected players occupying slots
Plugin Commands Not Working
Problem: /bw commands return “Unknown command” or permission errors.
Solutions:
- Verify plugin is installed: /plugins command should list Bed Wars plugin
- Check permissions: Ensure player has bw. admin or relevant permission node
- Restart the server after plugin installation
- Check plugin configuration files for disabled features
- Reinstall plugin if corrupted: Delete JAR and re-download
Latency & Ping Issues
Problem: Players experience 200+ ping or packet loss despite a stable internet.
Solutions:
- Check Server Location: Use low-latency hosting datacenter closest to player base
- Flush DNS Cache:
bash
# Windows:
ipconfig /flushdns
# Linux:
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved
# macOS:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
3. Configure Network Optimization:
- Disable compression: network-compression-threshold=-1 (if players report packet loss)
- Adjust tick-rate if the server is overloaded
4. Switch to Wired Connection: Wi-Fi introduces latency; Ethernet is essential for competitive play
CONCLUSION
A Bed Wars Minecraft server blends fast-paced PvP, strategy, and teamwork into one of Minecraft’s most engaging multiplayer experiences. With the right server software, optimized hosting, reliable plugins, and fair EULA-compliant monetization, anyone can build a smooth and competitive Bed Wars environment. Start small, focus on performance and balanced gameplay, listen to player feedback, and scale gradually. The most successful Bed Wars servers are not defined by pay-to-win perks, but by stability, fairness, and an active, well-managed community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it free to create a Bed Wars Minecraft Server?
Ans. Yes, you can create one for free using local hosting or free hosting platforms, but performance and player limits are restricted.
Q2. How much RAM is required for a Bed Wars server?
Ans. A Bed Wars server typically requires 4 to 6GB for small servers, 8GB+ for stable 20 to 40 players, and 16GB+ for large or plugin-heavy servers.
Q3. Can I host Bed Wars on free hosting platforms?
Ans. Yes, Platforms like Minehut offer free options, but they come with limitations such as player caps and uptime restrictions.
Q4. Which Bed Wars plugin is best for beginners?
Ans. Beginner-friendly Bed Wars plugins designed for Spigot or Paper are best, especially those with setup wizards and documentation.
Q5. What are the different Bed Wars variants?
Ans. Bed Wars servers offer multiple variants like Solo, Doubles, 3v3v3v3, 4v4v4v4, and Lucky Block Bed Wars, catering to different playstyles and keeping gameplay fresh and competitive.
Q6. Which server is best for Bed Wars?
Ans. It depends on your purpose. Popular public servers like Hypixel, PikaNetwork, and JartexNetwork are known for stable gameplay, balanced mechanics, and large player bases. For creating your own Bed Wars Minecraft server, hosting providers such as Minehut, ScalaCube, Wabbanode, and Nodecraft are commonly used.


