On this page
Key takeaways
5- Choose an FFA plugin after checking its version support and required framework or dependencies.
- WorldEdit can load .schem and .schematic files from its schematics folder on Bukkit, Spigot and Paper servers.
- Create the arena and kit in your FFA plugin, then link them and test joining, leaving and map restoration.
- Keep the lobby outside the combat area and test the whole player route before launch.
- The FFA Arenas pack made by our team contains three 100 by 100 themed maps in one schematic file.
This guide is for server owners building a free-for-all PvP mode with arenas and selectable kits. You will choose an FFA plugin, paste an arena schematic, and connect the arena and kit settings so players can join and fight.
Choose an FFA plugin that fits your server
Start by checking what the plugin expects from your server version and which features you actually need. These four options differ in setup style and dependencies:
| Plugin | Good fit for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| ArenaLite | A free, open-source kit-based FFA setup with in-game arena and kit commands. | Its Modrinth page reports support through Minecraft 1.21.10. Check your exact server version before installing. |
| CactusFFA | Practice servers that want per-kit rules, a kit selection GUI, arena boundaries and timed block restoration. | Its listed restoration interval is 30 minutes. Check whether that timing suits your maps. |
| Neptune FFA | Owners looking for a kit-based FFA engine with a selector menu and combat tagging. | It is built for the Neptune Core practice framework. Check whether your intended setup needs that framework. |
| NovaFFA, made by our team | Servers that want editable kits, multiple arenas, stats and PlaceholderAPI support. | NovaFFA requires FastAsyncWorldEdit (FAWE), which rebuilds arenas after a fight. PlaceholderAPI is optional. |
ArenaLite is free and open source under the MIT licence. CactusFFA is also MIT licensed. Neptune FFA is GPL-3.0 licensed. NovaFFA is our plugin, made by our team, and is listed at version 2.12.0.
Our NovaFFA listing describes editable kits and unlimited kits and arenas. It may suit a server that wants those options in one FFA plugin.
Install WorldEdit and prepare the arena schematic
WorldEdit lets you select parts of a world and load and paste schematics. Its documentation says Bukkit, Spigot and Paper servers keep schematics in plugins/WorldEdit/schematics. WorldEdit can read modern .schem files and legacy .schematic files.
FastAsyncWorldEdit (FAWE) is a faster WorldEdit fork. NovaFFA requires it to rebuild arenas after fights. PlaceholderAPI is optional for NovaFFA.
For a starting layout, our FFA Arenas | x3 Themed Maps pack, made by our team, includes forest, Chinese and futuristic arenas. Each is 100 by 100 blocks, and all three are in one schematic file. The listing provides 13 schematic variants for versions 1.8 through 1.21+ and says the pack requires WorldEdit or FAWE.
Before pasting, pick a clear location and make sure the arena will not overlap your lobby or another game area. WorldEdit’s selection tools can show you the size of a region, which helps you plan the available space.
Upload and paste an arena
Upload the schematic that matches your server version to the WorldEdit schematics folder. Then load it and paste it at the place where you are standing. WorldEdit’s selection wand can help you mark a region: left click sets the first corner and right click sets the second. You can also use //pos1 and //pos2 at your position, then //size to check the selection dimensions.
Use SFTP or your file transfer tool to upload the schematic to plugins/WorldEdit/schematics. Connect to the server in Minecraft with an account that can run WorldEdit commands, stand where the arena should begin, and load and paste it:
//schem load arena-name
//pasteReplace arena-name with the schematic filename without its extension. Make a backup or test the paste in a copy of the world if the location matters.
Open the server’s File Manager and upload the schematic to plugins/WorldEdit/schematics. If the folder is not present, start the server once after installing WorldEdit, then check again. Connect in Minecraft with an account that can use WorldEdit commands and run:
//schem load arena-name
//pasteReplace arena-name with the file’s name without its extension. Use the panel’s Backups tab or a copy of the world before pasting if you need a way to restore the map.
Upload the schematic through the Files / FTP page to plugins/WorldEdit/schematics. Start the server once after installing WorldEdit if you need it to create its folders. Connect in Minecraft with an account that can use WorldEdit commands, then run:
//schem load arena-name
//pasteReplace arena-name with the file’s name without its extension. Keep a copy of the world before pasting if you may need to undo the change.
WorldEdit also supports //paste -a, which skips air blocks. That can help preserve terrain above or around a schematic, but inspect the target area first so the result is what you expect.
Create an arena and link it to a kit
ArenaLite publishes a command workflow for creating an arena, setting its spawn, creating a kit and linking the two. Run these steps in order, replacing each placeholder with the name you want to use:
- Create the arena with
/ffasetup create <arena>. - Set its spawn with
/ffasetup setspawn <arena>. - Create a kit with
/ffasetup kit create <kit>. - Link the kit to the arena with
/ffasetup kitlink <kit> <arena>. - Test the player join flow with
/ffa join <kit>.
Run the setup commands in game
Start the server, then connect in Minecraft as an operator or an account with the plugin’s setup permission. Run the five commands in order:
/ffasetup create <arena>
/ffasetup setspawn <arena>
/ffasetup kit create <kit>
/ffasetup kitlink <kit> <arena>
/ffa join <kit>Start or restart from the Console after installing the plugin. Connect in Minecraft as an operator or an account with the plugin’s setup permission, then run:
/ffasetup create <arena>
/ffasetup setspawn <arena>
/ffasetup kit create <kit>
/ffasetup kitlink <kit> <arena>
/ffa join <kit>Start or restart the server from its console after installing the plugin. Connect in Minecraft as an operator or an account with the plugin’s setup permission, then run:
/ffasetup create <arena>
/ffasetup setspawn <arena>
/ffasetup kit create <kit>
/ffasetup kitlink <kit> <arena>
/ffa join <kit>Set up NovaFFA, CactusFFA or Neptune FFA
NovaFFA, made by our team, links each kit to an arena. Create a kit by saving your inventory with /ffa kit create. Players can join with /ffa <kit> or use the /novaffa menu. FAWE is required to rebuild the arena after a fight, while PlaceholderAPI is optional.
CactusFFA uses /ffa for players and /cffa or /cactusffa for admin kit and arena management. Test the player commands before opening the mode.
Neptune FFA provides an admin panel and a player selector and is built for the Neptune Core practice framework. Install the framework required by your intended setup, configure the FFA arena and kit there, and test the selector with a player account.
Keep the lobby separate and test the full round
Before inviting players, test joining, leaving, kit selection, arena boundaries, deaths and the return path to your lobby. Try breaking blocks if your mode allows it, and confirm that the arena returns to the state you expect. CactusFFA lists automatic restoration on a 30-minute interval, while ArenaLite describes safe regeneration that teleports and locks players until it finishes.
Keep the lobby outside the combat area and make its exits easy to spot. Our lobby design guide covers navigation and keeping a hub clear for new players. If you are still building the server itself, see the server setup guide for the initial install and configuration steps.
Partner Need a server? Use code ARROWTAN for 15% off at iTitan.
Run a final test with a second player account if possible. Confirm that ordinary players can join and leave, while only trusted staff can change arena settings. Then check the map from the player’s view and adjust the arena boundary or lobby route before announcing the mode.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an FFA server in Minecraft?
Choose an FFA plugin that fits your server version, install it, and configure at least one arena and kit. Paste or build the arena, link the kit to it, then test joining, leaving and the return to the lobby.
How do I paste an arena schematic with WorldEdit?
Upload the .schem or .schematic file to plugins/WorldEdit/schematics. In game, load it with //schem load followed by its filename, stand where it should go, and run //paste.
Do I need FastAsyncWorldEdit for an FFA server?
WorldEdit is enough to paste the FFA Arenas pack described here, but NovaFFA requires FastAsyncWorldEdit to rebuild arenas after fights. PlaceholderAPI is optional for NovaFFA.
How big should an FFA arena be?
There is no single size for every player count or mode. Plan the boundary around your intended kit and spawn layout, then check the selected dimensions with WorldEdit’s //size command.
