Optimizing Modded Minecraft Servers: Preventing Tick Skipping

6th Sep, 2023

Minecraft, known for its limitless creativity and expansive gameplay, has been a favorite for both players and modders. Modded Minecraft servers take the game to new heights by adding a plethora of mods that introduce exciting features and mechanics. However, these additional elements can sometimes strain server performance, leading to an issue known as "tick skipping." In this article, we'll explore what tick skipping is, why it happens, and how to prevent it, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable modded Minecraft server experience.

Understanding Tick Skipping:

In Minecraft, the game world runs on a series of ticks, which are small units of time that govern various processes within the game. Each tick handles tasks like mob movement, block updates, and player actions. For the game to run smoothly, these ticks need to occur at a consistent rate.

Tick skipping, as the name suggests, occurs when the server struggles to process ticks at the desired pace. This can result in a range of issues, including:

1. Lag and Jitter: Players may experience lag and jittery movement, making gameplay less enjoyable.

2. Entities Misbehaving: Mobs, animals, and other entities might move erratically or not respond as expected.

3. Delayed Actions: Interactions, such as breaking blocks or opening chests, may have a noticeable delay.

4. Redstone and Machines: Complex redstone contraptions and modded machines may not function correctly or consistently.

Causes of Tick Skipping:

Several factors can contribute to tick skipping on modded Minecraft servers:

1. Too Many Mods: A server overloaded with numerous mods can strain server resources and lead to tick skipping.

2. Insufficient Hardware: Inadequate server hardware, such as CPU, RAM, or storage, can limit the server's ability to process ticks.

3. Inefficient Mods: Some mods may be poorly optimized or incompatible with others, causing performance issues.

4. World Generation: Complex world generation settings or frequent terrain updates can tax the server's resources.

Preventing Tick Skipping:

1. Optimize Mods: Regularly review and update mods to ensure they are well-optimized and compatible with each other. Remove any mods causing performance problems.

2. Server Hardware: Invest in robust server hardware with sufficient CPU power, RAM, and storage capacity to handle your modded Minecraft server's demands.

3. Chunk Loading: Use efficient chunk loading mechanisms to reduce the server's processing load. Opt for options like lazy chunk loading.

4. Ticking and Thread Management: Adjust the server's ticking and thread management settings to allocate resources effectively. Consider using server management plugins or tools.

5. World Generation: Limit the use of resource-intensive world generation mods or features. Pre-generate terrain to reduce in-game world generation load.

6. Entity Limits: Implement entity limits to prevent an excessive number of mobs or entities from overloading the server.

7. Regular Backups: Regularly back up your server world to safeguard against data corruption and to restore to a stable state if needed.

8. Monitoring Tools: Utilize server performance monitoring tools to identify performance bottlenecks and address them promptly.

Tick skipping can disrupt the gameplay experience on modded Minecraft servers, but with proper optimization and management, it can be prevented. By carefully selecting and updating mods, investing in capable server hardware, and implementing performance-enhancing measures, you can ensure that your modded Minecraft server runs smoothly and provides an enjoyable experience for all players.