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RLCraft server hosting: RAM, plan and setup

3 min readUpdated Nov 3, 2026Copy link

RLCraft is a hardcore survival pack by Shivaxi on Forge for Minecraft 1.12.2. It's an older pack, so it needs Java 8 and one server setting that's easy to miss.

What RLCraft is #

RLCraft ("Real Life Craft") turns Minecraft into a punishing survival RPG with dragons, thirst, temperature and a lot of dying. The current release is RLCraft 1.12.2 - Release v2.9.3.

RLCraft is on CurseForge only, so you upload the server pack yourself (steps below).

How much RAM RLCraft needs #

The RLCraft page gives a number for players, not servers: the default 1 GB "is NOT enough" and it recommends 3 to 4 GB for the game. It states no server number.

Our practical range for a server (an estimate, not from the pack). 1.12.2 is lighter than modern packs, but every player loads their own area full of mobs and structures:

RAM the server doesn't use won't make it faster. If it lags while memory is well under the limit, find the cause with the spark mod before buying past 8 GB.

Which ESN plan fits #

Forge needs a plan with at least 2 GB on ESN. Prices are the regular monthly list prices; see plans and billing.

CPU

On ESN, 100% CPU is one full core. Minecraft runs most game logic on one main thread, so a big modpack needs a strong core more than many cores. The extra cores still help with chunk loading, world generation and Java garbage collection, which modpacks do a lot of. The Minecraft-ready Pro plans give more CPU per GB (ESN Pro 8GB has 400%, ESN Extreme 8 GB has 250%), so pick Pro when players explore a lot or the pack has heavy automation.

Set up RLCraft on ESN #

1. Buy a plan and choose Forge as the Minecraft type (see the plan table above).
2. Open Startup. Set the Minecraft version to 1.12.2 and the Forge version to the one the pack uses (it is in the server files or on the pack's file page). In Docker Image, pick Java 8.
3. Go to Settings and choose Reinstall Server so the panel downloads that loader version. Do this before you upload anything you care about.
4. Download the official server files on your computer and unzip them. On the RLCraft CurseForge page open Files, choose v2.9.3 and download the server pack from Additional Files. Its readme for servers has the pack author's notes.
5. Upload the pack's folders (mods, config and any others it ships, like defaultconfigs or kubejs) to the top folder. Zip them, upload in Files and choose Unarchive, or use SFTP for big packs. You don't need the pack's start scripts or installer jar. See upload files.
6. Press Start on the Console. Accept the EULA prompt (or set eula=true in eula.txt).
7. Wait for the Done line. The first start of a big pack takes a few minutes. Then join with the same pack version.

Turn on command blocks

The RLCraft page warns server owners that enable-command-block=true must be set in server.properties, or some structures won't generate correctly and will be missing villagers. Open server.properties in Files, set it, save and restart before players explore.

RAM and Java flags: you don't edit -Xmx on ESN. The panel starts the server and sets its memory from your plan, so the pack's own user_jvm_args.txt and start scripts are not used. If you need custom startup flags, ask in the ESN Systems Discord. See startup settings and the startup flags generator for what the flags do.

Common problems #

• "Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded?" Normal once during the first start. If it repeats while people play, profile it with spark and fix the top cause. See fix "Can't keep up".
• Players can't join, "mismatched mod list" or missing mods. Every player needs the exact same pack version as the server. Update the server and all players together.
• The server crashes at start with a client-only mod. Shaders, minimaps and menu mods sometimes only run on the client. Use the official server files, which leave them out, and don't copy your client mods folder.
• "Unsupported class file major version" or UnsupportedClassVersionError. Wrong Java version. Change Docker Image in Startup and restart.
• OutOfMemoryError or the server stops under load. The pack needs more RAM than your plan has. Lower view-distance or move to a bigger plan. See Minecraft RAM.
• Missing villagers or broken structures. enable-command-block was off when those chunks generated. Turn it on; only new chunks are fixed.
• Crashes with VanillaFix or BetterFPS. The RLCraft page says they aren't compatible. Remove them.

FAQ #

How much RAM does an RLCraft server need?

RLCraft only states a number for players (3 to 4 GB). For a server we suggest 4 GB for up to 4 players, 6 GB for 5 to 10 and 8 GB beyond that.

Which Java version does RLCraft need?

Java 8, because it runs on Minecraft 1.12.2 with Forge. Pick Java 8 in Docker Image on the Startup page.

Why are villages empty on my RLCraft server?

Command blocks were off. The pack needs enable-command-block=true in server.properties for some structures to generate properly.

Can players use the CurseForge app to join?

Yes, as long as they install the same RLCraft version as the server, v2.9.3 at the moment.

Sources: RLCraft on CurseForge (v2.9.3, Forge 1.12.2 14.23.5.2860, 3 to 4 GB for players, enable-command-block note, VanillaFix/BetterFPS warning) (checked Nov 3, 2026)

Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Systems Discord. Last updated November 3, 2026.