Frontline Combat is a modded team based pvp server with a squad and battlefield style feel.
They run regular events every week and they keep trying to make each one better over time. The server also has custom mods and custom content.
It is Java only and they are trying to grow the player base so more people can jump in and fight.
SurviviaSMP is a chill custom SMP for Java players and it lets cracked players join too. Premium players are welcome as well and the server is on version 1.21.11.
It uses custom world generation and even the Nether is custom so exploring feels different. There is proximity voice chat so talking in game is way more fun when you run into people.
The server gets daily updates plus events so it stays active. There is also a limited time Valentine event until Feb 15 where you do 5 quests using /quests and you can earn a Healing Wand that heals 8 hearts with a 3 minute cooldown.
I found a new Java server on 1.21.10 that is going for a super close to vanilla feel but still has a few small mods like enhancements and stuff that lets you set a home.
The whole point is anarchy style fighting with clans. People can start wars make deals and try to take over. There are no land claims so nobody is protected by fake borders and you can raid and battle anywhere.
You can build an empire if you can defend it. Dying matters because keep inventory is never on. You can also collect player heads as trophies and take their gear.
The staff is active and fair and they watch for cheating. Hacks like x ray are not allowed at all.
Elysium is a small Java server that recently reopened with a fresh start. It is looking for more players who are 18+ and it already has a few long time members from the older server.
There are three main worlds you can play in. Survival is on 1.21.10 with a 10k by 10k border and it has mcMMO skills. It also has an online map you can open with the /map link in game. Most teleport commands are turned off so it feels more like vanilla and players use Nether roof travel instead. There is a shopping district at spawn where you can set up chest shops and diamonds are the money.
Plots gives you 85 by 85 build plots so your stuff stays safe. You start with one plot and you can earn more as you move up build ranks.
Creative is a superflat freebuild world for big community builds. You can build together if everyone agrees and you are not allowed to change other peoples builds without permission. There is also a main Hub world for traveling and hanging out plus an amphitheater for gatherings and events. A second Creative world exists too and it is a perk for higher build ranks.
This is a community centered survival server that feels like a Hermit style SMP. It is made by players and the community helps decide what gets added through requests and polls.
The server keeps a mostly vanilla feel but it still has some fun and quality of life plugins. There is a diamond based economy with a shopping district plus public builds and big projects.
A lot of players use proximity chat so it feels social when you run into people. You can also set homes. It is Java only on Minecraft 1.21.11.
It is whitelisted and it is 18 plus only. There are usually around 5 to 20 people online during the day and there are lots of regular players. If you want friends there are groups that are looking for more people.
I found AurumMC and it is a brand new towny earth server that just released today.
It is semi vanilla but it has a fully custom skills system that the server coded. It is like mcmmo but they say it is more balanced and easier to use.
The economy is player run and it uses gold. There are also quality of life features like custom fishing crates so fishing feels fun again plus brewery graves and bluemap.
It runs on Java 1.21.11.
WesterCraft is a modded Java SMP that feels like a Game of Thrones style roleplay world. The big wars are over but the realm is not united so players jump into politics and power plays.
People can lead their own House and try to grow influence stability and royal favor. It sounds like power is earned and you can win by smart deals or by making enemies.
The map is a hand crafted Westeros world with places like the Riverlands the North and Dorne. The server is whitelist only so they want quality players and an immersive community.
They are also recruiting builders lore writers and moderators or event staff to help shape the world and the drama.
I found a brand new Minecraft server that just started today and it is focused on vanilla survival.
It is a chill SMP with some plugins and it also has crossplay so Bedrock players can join too.
The owner is new to hosting and is looking for more players plus someone to help manage the Discord and share ideas for the server.
They also mention anti griefing tools so it should be safer for building and playing together.
I found a true vanilla hardcore SMP where it stays simple with minimal plugins and no ranks or pay to win stuff
The world border is big so you can actually go explore and build far out without feeling cramped
When you join for the first time you spawn with some starter items plus invis and regen so you can sneak away from spawn and get set up
Death matters here because you get tempbanned when you die so every trip and fight feels intense
It supports crossplay so Java 1.21.11 and Bedrock 1.21.131 players can play together