I found a small semi vanilla SMP that is in testing right now
They plan to start the server in about a week so it feels like a new beginning
It is meant to stay close to vanilla and keep things simple
NEO SMP Java Plus Eaglercraft Survival
NEO SMP is a new survival server that just started up and it is made for people who are sick of servers that lag hard or die fast.
It has active staff and it says there are no weird resets so your progress stays.
There are fun plugins like a shop and a bank plus working tpa and home so getting around is easy.
Java players and Eaglercraft players can play together and chat and team up with no problem.
GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPThe Perch SMP Java No Resets
The Perch is a Java SMP that is built to feel like a real Minecraft home with no resets. It tries hard to stay calm and welcoming with no toxicity or drama.
The server focuses on what the community asks for. Players can share ideas through suggestions and tickets plus feedback forms. Changes get posted in weekly changelogs and there are monthly events to help people hang out.
It keeps a survival feel and avoids stuff that feels bloated. A lot of features can be toggled off if you do not like them. It also puts effort into keeping farms and redstone working like base game.
There is a playtime based ranking system that unlocks perks. There is also a fair balanced economy with lots of player run shops. You also get small gameplay tweaks and a web map that shows all worlds. The listed version is 1.21.11.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPDogeM Semi Anarchy Vanilla PvP
DogeM games is a semi anarchy vanilla server with a fun pvp vibe and a community that is still new and growing.
It runs 24 7 and it is not too late to jump in since the next reset is planned for late May.
People come here to make friends start teams fight loot build and try to conquer the world.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPOakenvale Medieval Survival SMP 1.21.10
I found OakenvaleSMP and it is a survival server with a medieval theme. It is about building big places like towns castles and whole kingdoms while still having to survive and progress.
Players can explore a lot and go on adventures. The world is made to feel more interesting with custom biomes and extra random generated structures.
It uses some QoL plugins and it has claims and teams so people cannot destroy your builds or loot your stuff. There are also daily and hourly rewards you can check in game with /rewards.
You can play how you want like builder merchant farmer or explorer. The community can work together or compete and new players are welcome.
It runs on version 1.21.10 and the server is located in England.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPGiants Lair Semi Vanilla Nation Wars
Giants Lair is a semi vanilla server that feels like it is all about the community vibe. You can hop in and make friends or just do your own thing.
There is custom content with Elite Mobs so fighting is a big part of the fun and you can earn custom loot from tough enemies.
It also has MCMMO so you can level up your skills and try to become an economic mogul.
You can protect your stuff with lands by starting a claim or joining a friend. People can make alliances or start wars with rival nations and try to take their goods. The devs and staff are active and keep improving things.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPLuminary Falls Adult Cozy SMP
Luminary Falls is a cozy long term SMP made for adults. It is whitelist only and 18+ and it aims to feel welcoming and mature with an uplifting LGBTQ+ friendly vibe.
It runs on Java and it also lets Bedrock players join with crossplay. The server keeps survival as the main thing but it adds quality of life plugins and datapacks that do not ruin the vanilla feel and it avoids pay to win stuff.
I also noticed they allow non advantage client mods like Litematica Xaeros Sodium and Dynamic Lights. They use resource worlds so the main world can stay forever and your builds do not get wiped.
There are usually players around at all hours and they say they average about 50 unique players each week. Besides the SMP there is a Creative server with monthly build challenges plus a lobby server with infinite parkour and PvP and an events server is planned with minigames sometimes.
To join you read the rules and apply for the whitelist through their Discord bot.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPCrescenta Geopolitical Roleplay Semi Vanilla
Crescenta is a semi vanilla worldbuilding and geopolitical roleplay server where players actually run the story. The world is called Gary and it is about 8 months old. The server is meant to last for years so it feels like you are joining early not late.
People here do roleplay and writing and lore plus politics and diplomacy. PvP and military planning matters a lot right now since the power balance is uneven and new fighters can change the map. Builders also fit in since nations need style and good looking towns.
Moderation is kept minimal so players handle disputes and wars and drama on their own. If you want a guided and scripted experience this is not really that. If you want choices with real consequences it is.
Protection uses the Citadel reinforcement system. It is block by block instead of chunk claims and it rewards smart building and preparation.
There are established nations that take new members and they already have culture and politics going. You can also try to start your own but it sounds like you should not do it totally alone. Versions listed are 1.21.10 to 1.21.11 and it supports Java and Bedrock crossplay. 16 plus is preferred since chat can get pretty mature.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPParasite Apocalypse Quarantine Escape Event
This server is a modern apocalypse survival world where the horror keeps getting worse and the goal is to stay alive long enough to escape.
Everyone starts inside a quarantined zone called Alpigus. The wall stays powered for 7 days so nobody can leave. When the grid fails the wall opens and the Nether unlocks and the End can be reached too.
There is also a big deadline. A nuke drops inside the wall on March 30th at 10AM EST and it wipes everything in there so you have to get out before then.
It is not hardcore. There is a land claim system that stops griefing and PVP but people can still steal. You can also toggle PVP inside claims using claim commands. Teams are a big thing and there are plenty of groups looking for more players.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPRecraftSMP Season 7 Fresh Start
RecraftSMP is a whitelisted survival server with a community that stays active and friendly. Season 7 just launched on March 20th and it runs on Java Fabric 1.21.11. The server is based in the USA and it is 18 plus only.
The vibe is about teamwork and creativity. People build big stuff and mess with redstone and go exploring. There are community areas like a shopping district and a build competition district plus other shared spots.
It also has an integrated creative server so players can work on ideas. There are BlazeandCave style advancements and VanillaTweaks and a Bluemap. The End is still closed right now so everyone is kind of in the same early game stage.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IP