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Key takeaways
5- Check the map format and Minecraft version before uploading it.
- Upload schematics to the WorldEdit or FAWE schematics folder, or load a complete world folder with your world tools.
- Join in game as an operator to paste a schematic, register the arena and set locations that depend on your position.
- Use the console for loading or reloading the plugin and other admin tasks.
- Test a full match before opening the arena to players.
This guide is for server owners who already have a BedWars map and plugin, but need to turn the map into a playable arena. You will prepare the map, paste or upload it, then register its boundaries and game locations with your plugin.
Choose a map format and check its version
A schematic is a saved build that you paste into a world. A world folder is a complete world that you upload and load using your server’s world tools. Check which format your map provides and which Minecraft versions its files support before installing it.
For example, BedWars Arenas | Medieval & Aquatic, made by our team, includes two themed maps for four-team play. The Medieval arena is about 360 by 360 blocks, and the Aquatic arena is about 580 by 580 blocks. The listing describes a native 1.12 build with upgraded schematic files for 1.8, 1.13 to 1.15, and 1.16 to 1.21+. Choose the file that matches your server version. It is a map pack, so you still need to configure your own BedWars plugin.
For schematics, WorldEdit or FastAsyncWorldEdit (FAWE) is required for this map pack. FAWE is one option for loading and pasting schematics; check its listing for server support and format details. If you want an arena in a separate world, Multiverse-Core is a world-management option. Its exact world creation syntax was not confirmed for this guide, so follow its documentation or your host’s world tools.
Before changing the live server, make a backup and choose a paste location with room for the full map. If you need a walkthrough of schematic files and undoing a paste, see our WorldEdit schematic guide.
Upload the schematic or world folder
Use the workflow for your server location. Upload the schematic to the WorldEdit or FAWE schematics folder. For a world folder, upload the complete folder and use your world plugin or host tools to load it. The exact world creation command depends on the tool you use, so check its documentation.
Use SFTP or your file transfer method to upload the schematic to the WorldEdit or FAWE schematics folder. For a world folder, transfer the complete folder into the server’s world location and use your world-management tool’s documented steps to load it. Join the server in game as an operator to paste and register the arena. Use the server console only for loading or reloading the plugin and other admin tasks.
Upload through the File Manager or SFTP. Put a schematic in the WorldEdit or FAWE schematics folder. Upload a complete world folder to the server’s files, then use your world plugin or host tools to load it. Join the server in game as an operator to paste and register the arena. Use the Console only for loading or reloading the plugin and other admin tasks.
Upload through the Files / FTP page. Put a schematic in the WorldEdit or FAWE schematics folder. Upload a complete world folder to the server’s files, then use your world plugin or host tools to load it. Join the server in game as an operator to paste and register the arena. Use the console only for loading or reloading the plugin and other admin tasks.
To paste a schematic, join in game as an operator and stand where you want its saved position to land, then load and paste it. WorldEdit and FAWE use these commands:
//schem load <name>
//pasteReplace <name> with the schematic name. Check the result in game before registering the arena. Large maps need room around their boundaries, and a misplaced paste can overlap other builds.
Register the arena with your BedWars plugin
Each plugin has its own setup process. Screaming BedWars provides documented /bw admin commands for creating an arena, setting its boundaries, adding teams and placing game locations. BedWars1058 and BedWars2023 are other projects to consider, but use their own setup documentation for commands and requirements.
For BedWars1058 arena creation, see this video walkthrough.
Use Screaming BedWars commands
For Screaming BedWars, the following sequence creates and saves an arena. Replace <arena> with the arena name. The documentation confirms the add, position, spectator, spawner, store, team, lobby and save command forms shown here.
/bw admin <arena> add
/bw admin <arena> pos1
/bw admin <arena> pos2
/bw admin <arena> spec
/bw admin <arena> spawner add <bronze|gold|iron>
/bw admin <arena> store add
/bw admin <arena> team add <name> <color> <max players>
/bw admin <arena> lobby
/bw admin <arena> saveJoin the server in game as an operator and run these commands while standing at each required location. The pos1, pos2, spec, spawner add, store add, team spawn and lobby commands depend on your position. Use the console only for loading or reloading the plugin. Follow the plugin’s documentation for exact position selection and for placing each team’s spawn, bed and generators. Save after configuration, then test the arena with a small match before opening it to players.
For a general Screaming BedWars usage video by lwpMC, see this video. Follow the official documentation for the exact arena commands.
Check the plugin and server version match
Version support differs between BedWars projects and listings. Both the Screaming BedWars GitHub page and its Spigot page title list Minecraft 1.8.8 through 26.3. The GitHub page identifies the recommended version. Its page says Java 17 is required starting with version 0.3.0. BedWars1058’s Hangar and Modrinth listings show different version ranges, so check the listing for your server version. BedWars2023 requires Java 11 or newer, a Spigot or Paper server and the TAB plugin; check its wiki for versions.
BedWars1058 and BedWars2023 also list their own dependencies and setup requirements. Check those before installing, including Java and server software requirements. Do not assume a map’s Minecraft version claim confirms a plugin will run on that version.
Test the arena before opening it
- Walk the boundary and confirm it covers the playable map without including nearby builds.
- Check that each team has a spawn, bed and resource spawners in the intended locations.
- Verify that shops, the spectator position and the arena lobby are reachable.
- Start a test match and check that players spawn on the correct teams and the game can be saved or enabled.
- If the arena will not enable, review the plugin’s setup documentation and check that all required locations and teams are configured.
For another BedWars planning guide covering plugin choices, maps and launch decisions, see our BedWars server setup guide. If you are protecting a lobby or nearby spawn, our WorldGuard safe zones guide covers region protection.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a custom BedWars map to my Minecraft server?
Check whether the map is a schematic or a complete world folder, then upload it using SFTP or your panel’s file tools. Paste a schematic with WorldEdit or FAWE, or load a world folder using your world-management tools. Register and test the map with your BedWars plugin.
Do I need WorldEdit to paste a BedWars map?
The Medieval & Aquatic map pack requires WorldEdit or FastAsyncWorldEdit. Its instructions are to load the matching schematic with //schem load, stand at the intended location and run //paste.
How do I create an arena in Screaming BedWars?
Join the server in game as an operator to run the arena setup commands. Create the arena, set its boundaries and configure its spectator position, spawners, shop, teams and lobby while standing at the required locations. Save the arena and test it before opening it.
Why will my BedWars arena not enable?
Check the plugin’s documentation and confirm that its required arena locations and teams are configured. Also verify that your plugin version supports your server version, since version ranges differ between projects and listings.
