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 |
| ChunkBlock | Sky (void, one chunk) | Medium | Mine the magic block and spend island levels to punch out the walls | 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 |
| TradeWinds | Sea (endless trading ocean) | Easy–Hard (by region) | Sail between NPC trading islands, buying low and selling high | Medium |
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 the one-block loop with a reason to keep levelling#
ChunkBlock — The same magic block as AOneBlock (phase files are interchangeable), but the world is one 16×16 chunk behind a border nothing can cross. Island level is the currency: build your level up, walk to the wall, and punch it in the direction you want to grow. Lose levels and the newest chunks re-lock, builds untouched, until you earn them back — or switch that off in the config if you want territory to be a ratchet. Requires the Level addon.
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.
I want an economy-driven trading game#
TradeWinds — Buy low and sell high across an endless procedurally generated ocean of NPC trading ports. Difficulty is geography: the waters near spawn are patrolled and calm, while contraband, pirates, and PvP bounty space are all further out — so it works for a family server and a cut-throat one at the same time. Requires Vault and an economy plugin.
Feature Support by Game Mode#
Most BentoBox addons work with all game modes. A few have specific compatibility requirements.
| Feature | BSkyBlock | AOneBlock | ChunkBlock | AcidIsland | CaveBlock | SkyGrid | Boxed | Poseidon | StrangerRealms | TradeWinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
*** TradeWinds replaces the Nether with the Interstice (a hostile nether sea reached by warp misjumps) and deliberately has no End world. TradeWinds also requires Vault plus an economy plugin.
**** ChunkBlock requires the Level addon — island level is the currency used to claim chunks, and ChunkBlock disables itself if Level is missing.
***** ChunkBlock generates the Nether and the End off by default. Enable either one and it gets its own centre chunk and the same level-driven claim rules; the magic block only ever exists in the overworld.
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.