The jump from vanilla Minecraft to modded is one of the most significant quality-of-life upgrades available to the game. But modpacks involve mod loaders, server jars, client-side setups, and compatibility considerations that aren't obvious at first. Here is the complete starter guide.
Understanding Mod Loaders
A mod loader is software that sits between Minecraft and the mods, providing a standard interface for mods to interact with the game. The three you will encounter:
Forge - The original and most widely used. Over 95% of older mods are Forge-only. If you want to run Classic modpacks (FTB Ultimate, Tekkit, older ATM versions), Forge is your loader.
Fabric - A lightweight, fast-updating alternative. Popular for performance mods (Sodium, Lithium) and smaller technical mods. Less content-mod selection than Forge but faster to update after Minecraft versions change.
NeoForge - A community fork of Forge, created in 2023 after a dispute with Forge's maintainer. Currently the preferred loader for new modpack development (ATM10, many 1.20+ packs run NeoForge).
Choosing Your First Modpack
As a beginner, do not build your own modpack. Start with one of these well-maintained options:
| Pack | Loader | Difficulty | Player Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| All The Mods 9 | NeoForge | Medium | 5 - 15 |
| FTB Academy 3 | Forge | Beginner | 1 - 10 |
| Medieval MC | Forge | Medium | 5 - 20 |
| Create: Above and Beyond | Forge | Medium | 5 - 15 |
| Vault Hunters | NeoForge | Hard | 1 - 10 |
For a first group modpack, Create: Above and Beyond is an excellent choice - it introduces mechanical automation in a way that feels like progression without being overwhelming.
Server vs. Client Mods
Not all mods belong on the server. Categorise them:
Server-side only: World generation mods, performance mods, admin tools, anti-cheat.
Client-side only: Shader packs, HUD mods, voice chat mods, performance optimisers like Sodium (which has a server equivalent called Lithium).
Both (required on each): Content mods - new blocks, items, machines, mobs. If a client connects to a server without these, they will be disconnected.
Setting Up a Modpack Server
For modpacks distributed through CurseForge or ATLauncher, server packs are pre-assembled. Download the server pack, extract it, and run the provided install script:
# Most modern packs include:
./install.sh # Downloads the server jar automatically
./start.sh # Launches with pre-configured JVM flags
If no start script is provided:
java -Xmx8G -Xms8G -XX:+UseZGC -jar server.jar nogui
Space-Node's Minecraft control panel includes one-click modpack installers for CurseForge packs, automatically handling version selection and Java configuration.