I found this Minecraft network that is pretty new and still in early launch. It is called NovaCraft Network and it focuses on fair progression and actually listening to players. It does not feel pay to win and it does not rely on weird gimmicks.
The main gamemode right now is Skyblock. It has balanced progression and a player driven economy. It seems made for both casual players who just want to chill and also for competitive players who like to grind and race ahead.
There is also BedWars with 2v2 and 4v4 maps so it is good for small groups and friends who want quick pvp games. For people who like classic Minecraft there is a Survival world on hard difficulty with normal gameplay and nothing super crazy added on top.
The owners say they focus on fair progression active development and community feedback that actually matters. They are asking for players who want to help shape the server from the ground up so it feels like they really want ideas and suggestions.
Right now the server runs on Java 1.21.x and older versions are supported too. They also say Skyblock is just the beginning and that Lifesteal and Factions are planned for the future as the network grows.
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NovaCraft Network Skyblock BedWars Survival

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MineStrike KitPvP And SMP PvP

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The Perch SMP – No Reset Survival

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AlkalineCraft OP Factions Beta

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The Perch SMP No-Reset Survival

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The Villa SMP – A Fresh Vanilla Community | Whitelisted 1.21.5 Server for 16+

Minecraft Server Overview
Key Features Vanilla SMP Survival Gameplay with minor additions/changes Gameplay Mechanics Optional light geopolitical aspect with nations, diplomacy, raid/wars Community Aspects Friendly and brand-new community, active development, feedback-driven changes Server IP Not available Website Discord FAQ
Question Answer Is the server vanilla or modded? The server is vanilla with some minor additions/changes. Can players create nations on the server? Yes, players can create and join nations, engage in diplomacy, raid/wars. What version of Minecraft is the server running? The server is up-to-date with Minecraft 1.21.5 version. Is the server prone to resets? No, the server aims to avoid resets to preserve player progress.

