How to Set Up an MC Eternal 2 Server in 2026

What is MC Eternal 2?

MC Eternal 2 is a broad, long-form kitchen-sink modpack for players who do not all want the same thing from a server. One player can build Create factories, another can chase magic through Iron's Spells and Goety, another can run Mekanism power, and someone else can disappear into MineColonies, bosses, pets, dungeons, or exploration.

The pack is built around Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge and has a large feature list: hundreds of quests, custom tutorials, beautiful worldgen, fishing rewards, Create and Create addons, Mekanism reactors, custom dimensions, tameable creatures, RPG elements, dungeons, artifacts, titles, and a shop system.

For servers, MC Eternal 2 is best when your group wants one world that can support many playstyles at once. It is not the tightest pack or the lightest pack. It is the "everyone finds a lane" pack.

Recommended Version

As of May 2026, CurseForge lists MC Eternal 2 1.2.0.4 as the current 1.20.1 Forge release, with matching server files available. Use that branch for a new server unless you are intentionally preserving an older world.

Because this is a Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge pack, use Java 17. Java 21 is correct for many 1.21.1 NeoForge packs, but not for MC Eternal 2.

Server Requirements & RAM Guide

MC Eternal 2 is heavy. Treat it closer to ATM10 than to a light adventure pack. You can sometimes boot it lower, but a server that barely boots is not the same as a server that survives a group building for weeks.

The CPU should have strong single-core performance, and storage should be SSD or NVMe. Worldgen, MineColonies, automation, bosses, and exploration all add up.

Option A: Quick Setup with ModReady

If you want MC Eternal 2 without version hunting, ModReady can provision it as a managed server with the right Java version, Forge branch, backups, and JVM settings.

1. Open checkout and choose Modded Pro for 10 GB RAM.
2. Select MC Eternal 2 1.20.1 from the modpack picker.
3. Choose the region closest to your player group.
4. Complete checkout and use WELCOME20 for 20% off the first month.
5. Start with a small shakedown session before inviting the full group.

Modded Pro is the sensible entry point. If you already know this will be a long-running world with several active players, start on Plus or Premium and avoid moving later.

Option B: Self-Hosting Your Server

Self-hosting works if you have a strong machine, enough RAM, SSD storage, and a stable public connection. Expect larger downloads and longer first boots than smaller packs.

Step 1: Install Java 17

Install Java 17 from Adoptium and verify it:

java -version # Should show: openjdk version "17.x.x"

Step 2: Download the MC Eternal 2 Server Files

Download the server files from the MC Eternal 2 CurseForge page. Use the server files for the same release your players install. The server pack is separate from the normal client download.

Step 3: Extract and First Boot

1. Create a clean folder such as mc-eternal-2-server.
2. Extract the server files into the folder.
3. Run the included install or start script.
4. Accept the EULA by setting eula=true.
5. Start again and give the server time. Large Forge packs can take several minutes on first boot.

Step 4: Port Forward if Hosting at Home

Forward TCP port 25565 to the server machine. If friends cannot connect after that, check our connection troubleshooting guide and confirm your ISP is not using CGNAT.

Configuration Baseline

Start with stable settings and raise them only after the world has proven itself.

view-distance=8 simulation-distance=5 max-players=10 online-mode=true

Keep extra mods off the server for the first few sessions. MC Eternal 2 is already a large pack, and adding more mods before the baseline is stable makes crashes harder to diagnose.

Performance Tips for MC Eternal 2

Updating Safely

MC Eternal 2 updates can touch quests, dimensions, dependencies, and world systems. Always take a backup before updating, then test the new version with one or two players before announcing it to the full server.

1. Stop the server cleanly.
2. Create a full backup of the world, configs, and server files.
3. Install the new server pack files according to the release instructions.
4. Start once and check the console for missing mods or migration warnings.
5. Ask all players to update their clients before joining.

Common Issues & Fixes

What to Do Next

If your group wants the largest modern default pack, compare this with our ATM10 server guide. If you want tighter progression with less open-ended sprawl, see the FTB StoneBlock 4 setup guide.