Pixelmon Server Setup & Hosting Guide (2026)
Pixelmon adds Pokemon to Minecraft. You catch, train, and battle Pokemon in a Minecraft world. It is one of the most popular Minecraft mods ever made and supports dedicated multiplayer servers.
Pixelmon in 2026
The Pixelmon mod is maintained by the Pixelmon Reforged team. It continues to receive updates with new Pokemon, features, and Minecraft version support. The mod runs on Forge.
For a purely server-side Pokemon experience, Cobblemon is an alternative that uses Fabric. Both are actively developed.
Server Requirements
| Setup | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM | |-------|------------|----------------| | 1 to 10 players | 4 GB | 6 GB | | 10 to 30 players | 6 GB | 8 to 10 GB | | 30+ players | 10 GB | 12 to 16 GB |
Pixelmon is heavier than vanilla because of the 3D Pokemon models, entity spawning, and battle calculations. RAM requirements scale with player count because each player triggers Pokemon spawns in their area.
How to Set Up a Pixelmon Server
Step 1: Install Forge
Download the Forge installer for the Minecraft version Pixelmon supports. Run the server installer option.
Step 2: Download Pixelmon
Download the Pixelmon Reforged server mod from the official Pixelmon site. Place the .jar in the mods folder.
Step 3: First Run
Start the server once. It generates configuration files and the world. Stop the server after it finishes.
Step 4: Configure
Edit the Pixelmon config files in config/pixelmon/:
- Spawn rates: Control how often Pokemon spawn
- Legendary spawn rates: Balance rare Pokemon availability
- Battle rules: Set level caps, clauses, and tournament modes
- Loot tables: Control what items drop from battles
Edit server.properties:
view-distance=8
max-players=30
spawn-animals=false
spawn-monsters=false
Disable vanilla mob spawning. Pixelmon handles its own entity spawning.
Step 5: Start and Connect
Start the server. Players need the Pixelmon mod installed on their client (same version) and connect with your server IP.
Essential Sidecar Mods
These mods improve the Pixelmon server experience:
- PixelExtras — Quality of life commands for Pixelmon
- WonderTrade — Random Pokemon trading system
- PokeHunt — Timed Pokemon hunting challenges
- GTS (Global Trade Station) — Player-to-player Pokemon marketplace
Performance Optimization
Pokemon Entity Limits
By default, too many Pokemon spawn and tank performance. In the Pixelmon config:
- Set maximum Pokemon per player area
- Reduce spawn rates in areas players do not visit
- Set despawn timers for uncaught Pokemon
View Distance
Keep view distance at 6 to 8. Pokemon spawn within the view distance, so higher values create more entities.
Regular Restarts
Schedule automatic restarts every 6 to 12 hours. Pixelmon accumulates entity data over time. A clean restart keeps TPS stable.
Building a Pokemon World
The best Pixelmon servers build custom towns, gyms, and routes:
- Pokemon Centers — Healing stations with Pixelmon PCs
- Gyms — Custom-built gym buildings with NPC trainers
- Safari Zone — Enclosed areas with rare Pokemon spawns
- Elite Four — End-game challenge area
Use WorldEdit to speed up large builds.
Pixelmon vs Cobblemon
| Feature | Pixelmon Reforged | Cobblemon | |---------|------------------|-----------| | Platform | Forge | Fabric | | Pokemon Count | 900+ | Growing (500+) | | 3D Models | Yes | Yes (different style) | | Server Performance | Heavy | Lighter | | Community | Large, established | Growing | | Mod Compatibility | Forge ecosystem | Fabric ecosystem |
Cobblemon is newer and lighter on resources. Pixelmon has more content and a larger community.
Hosting Pixelmon
Pixelmon servers are resource-intensive. The 3D Pokemon models, spawn calculations, and battle logic require strong CPU and enough RAM. Budget hosts with shared CPUs struggle with 10+ players.
Space-Node's dedicated Ryzen 9 hardware handles Pixelmon smoothly. NVMe storage ensures fast world loading when players explore new areas that trigger Pokemon generation.
Host your Pixelmon server. View Minecraft Hosting Plans
