Choosing a Game Mode#
Not sure which game mode to run on your server? This page compares all the official BentoBox game modes to help you decide.
You can also run more than one at the same time — many servers offer two or three game modes so players can choose their preferred experience.
Quick Comparison#
| Game Mode | Setting | Difficulty | Main Challenge | Multiplayer Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSkyBlock | Sky (floating islands) | Medium | Expand from a tiny island in the void | Medium |
| AOneBlock | Sky (void) | Medium | Mine a single magical block that never runs out | Low–Medium |
| AcidIsland | Sea (acid ocean) | Medium–Hard | Skyblock with dangerous acid water | Medium |
| CaveBlock | Underground | Medium | Carve out space in a solid stone world | Medium |
| SkyGrid | Sky (scattered blocks) | Hard | Collect resources from a grid of single blocks | Low |
| Boxed | Normal world | Easy–Medium | Complete advancements to grow your confined space | Medium |
| Poseidon | Ocean | Medium | Survive entirely underwater | Medium |
| StrangerRealms | Overworld + Upside Down | Medium–Hard | Claim land while managing a dangerous mirror dimension | Medium–High |
Which Should I Choose?#
I want the most popular, well-known experience#
BSkyBlock — Classic Skyblock is what most players already know. It has the largest community, the most resources, and is a safe choice for any server.
I want something fresh but still approachable#
AOneBlock — The concept (one magical block) is easy to explain and immediately engaging. The built-in phase progression keeps players motivated for a long time.
I want Skyblock but harder#
AcidIsland — Same feel as BSkyBlock but falling in the ocean is genuinely dangerous. Good for players who found regular Skyblock too easy.
I want an underground / mining theme#
CaveBlock — Instead of building up in the sky, players dig out from solid ground. The experience feels very different despite sharing most of BentoBox's mechanics.
I want to cater to advanced / hardcore players#
SkyGrid — The scattered block world is unforgiving. Resources are spread out, movement is dangerous, and survival requires real skill. Not recommended as the only option on a server with new players.
I want something tied to vanilla progression#
Boxed — The advancement-driven expansion mechanic connects the game directly to vanilla Minecraft goals. Good for players who enjoy structured progression.
I want a unique visual theme#
Poseidon — An entirely aquatic world looks stunning and plays very differently. Great as a secondary option for players who want something visually distinct.
I want a story-inspired experience with complex mechanics#
StrangerRealms — The Upside Down mirror dimension adds a layer of strategy. Better suited to players who are comfortable with Minecraft and ready for something more involved.
Feature Support by Game Mode#
Most BentoBox addons work with all game modes. A few have specific compatibility requirements.
| Feature | BSkyBlock | AOneBlock | AcidIsland | CaveBlock | SkyGrid | Boxed | Poseidon | StrangerRealms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level addon | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Challenges | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Warps | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| InvSwitcher | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Border addon | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌* |
| Nether world | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌** |
| End world | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
* StrangerRealms has its own built-in border system — do not use the Border addon with it.
** StrangerRealms replaces the Nether with the Upside Down dimension.
Running Multiple Game Modes#
Each game mode runs completely independently — separate worlds, separate island databases, separate configs. Players can have an island in each game mode at the same time.
If you run multiple game modes, strongly consider installing the InvSwitcher addon. Without it, players share the same inventory, experience, and health across all game mode worlds, which can cause confusion and exploits.