How to Make a Cobblemon Server to Play with Friends

First: Cobblemon doesn't run on the latest Minecraft version

Cobblemon is a mod, not a plugin: it needs a Fabric or NeoForge server, not a Paper one. And it lags behind Minecraft: Cobblemon version 1.8 (September 2026) is for Minecraft 1.21.1. The server and every player must be on that same version, or nobody can join.

The easiest route is not to build it mod by mod, but to use a ready-made modpack: the official one (“Cobblemon Official Modpack”, on Fabric) comes with Cobblemon and the mods you need to play it as a group, about 30. If you want more content, COBBLEVERSE (about 140 mods) or Cobblemon Delta (quality-of-life improvements) are the most used; and All the Mons puts Cobblemon inside All the Mods 10, with tech and magic (it's much heavier: 8 GB).

How much RAM it needs

The official one is light: in our tests it started with 1.3 GB. For a group of friends, 4 GB is comfortable (Stone plan); if there are many of you or you explore a lot, every new area is generated and takes up memory, and 6 GB (Iron) gives you headroom. Big modpacks like COBBLEVERSE, 6 GB from the start.

Just want to try it? The free Minecraft server (3 GB, no card) is enough for a few sessions with a few friends. It stops when nobody's on and, if you stick with it, it moves to a plan with the same world.

Running it on your PC, for free

You can: install the Fabric server for 1.21.1, put the same mods as the modpack in its mods folder (Cobblemon and Fabric API at the very least) and start it. The problem is the usual one: your PC has to be on for the others to play, and for them to join from outside you have to open ports on the router or use a VPN-style program (we cover it in the guide to playing with friends without port forwarding).

Installing it on NapNodes

1. Create the server

   The free one to try it, or a plan from “Buy”. It comes with Paper, but that doesn't matter: the installer changes it.

2. Open “Mods & plugins” → “Modpacks” tab

   Search for “Cobblemon” and choose the modpack: the official one, COBBLEVERSE or whichever you use. On Modrinth and on CurseForge (the “Search on:” selector).

3. Press “Install” and wait a few minutes

   The panel sets up Fabric (or NeoForge) on Minecraft 1.21.1, downloads the mods with their config and starts it (the free one you start yourself with “Start” when it's done). If you already had a world, it moves it aside under another name: nothing is deleted.

4. Make yourself an admin

   In the panel console, op YourName. With that you can use the Cobblemon commands below in the chat.

Getting your friends in

1. The same modpack in their launcher

   Each of them installs the same modpack, in the same version: from the Modrinth app, Prism Launcher or the CurseForge app. With a modded server, the panel also gives you a napnodes.com/jugar/… page with what each player needs.

2. Add the server

   Multiplayer → Add Server, with the address shown in the panel.

3. No Bedrock

   You can't join from a console or phone: Geyser, which lets Bedrock players in, doesn't work with mods. Cobblemon is for Minecraft Java only.

Settings: shinies, max level and PC boxes

Cobblemon's config is in “Files” → config/cobblemon/main.json. Stop the server before editing it and start it afterwards: if you change it while the server is running, it may overwrite it with the old one when it shuts down.

What gets changed most: shinyRate (the shiny chance is 1 in that number; it ships at 8192, and with 4096 you get twice as many), maxPokemonLevel (the maximum level, 100), experienceMultiplier (the experience battles give; raise it to level up faster) and defaultBoxCount (how many boxes each player's PC has).

To change the starters you can pick when joining, set exportStarterConfig to true, start the server once and starters.json will appear in the same folder: that's where you edit them. Make a backup in “Backups” before changing anything in a world you're already playing in (the free server has no backups: download the folder first).

Useful Cobblemon commands

You need to be op. In the chat, with the slash; in the panel console, without it.

1. /pokegive <pokémon> [properties]

   Gives a Pokémon to the team of whoever types it. Example: /pokegive pikachu level=30 shiny. Its long name is /givepokemon.

2. /spawnpokemon <pokémon> [properties]

   Spawns a wild one where you are (also /pokespawn). Handy for events: a legendary at spawn at a set time.

3. /healpokemon [player]

   Heals the team, yours or someone else's (also /pokeheal). Useful before a tournament.

If something goes wrong

If you get kicked on joining with an error about mismatched mods, that player doesn't have the same modpack or the same version as the server. They should update it or reinstall it from their launcher.

It stutters with several players spread across the map: each one generates terrain and Pokémon around them. Lowering the view distance (view-distance in server.properties) or giving it more RAM fixes it; the lag guide explains how to see what's causing it.

Frequently asked questions