Guides
How Much RAM Does an RLCraft Server Need? (Player & Modpack Guide)
RLCraft is not a normal modpack. Learn the real RAM requirements for RLCraft servers by player count, why it needs more RAM than most modpacks, and how to optimize performance.
RLCraft is not a normal modpack. With heavy mobs, complex AI systems, intensive world generation, and the Lycanites Mobs mod, RLCraft servers have significantly higher RAM requirements than most players expect. If you're planning to host an RLCraft server, understanding these requirements is crucial for a smooth experience. For general guidance on minecraft server RAM requirements, see our full RAM requirements guide.
Quick Answer — RLCraft Server RAM Requirements
- 2–5 players: 6–8 GB
- 5–10 players: 8–10 GB
- 10–20 players: 10–12 GB
- 20+ players: 12–16 GB
These assume default settings and no extreme farms.
RLCraft RAM Requirements by Player Count
| Players | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM | Optimal Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 4GB | 6GB | 8GB |
| 3-5 | 6GB | 8GB | 10GB |
| 6-10 | 8GB | 12GB | 16GB |
| 11-20 | 12GB | 16GB | 20GB |
Why RLCraft Needs More RAM Than Most Modpacks
RLCraft's RAM requirements aren't arbitrary—they're driven by the modpack's unique architecture and gameplay mechanics.
Lycanites Mobs — AI-Heavy Entities
The Lycanites Mobs mod adds hundreds of creatures with complex AI behaviors. Unlike vanilla mobs, these creatures have advanced pathfinding, combat logic, and environmental interactions that consume significantly more memory per entity.
Dynamic Mob Spawning
RLCraft's spawning system is more aggressive and dynamic than vanilla Minecraft. The modpack constantly evaluates spawn conditions, biome types, and player locations, creating a higher baseline of active entities in loaded chunks.
World Generation & Structures
RLCraft includes extensive world generation modifications with custom structures, biomes, and terrain features. Each generated structure adds to memory usage, and players exploring new areas trigger continuous chunk generation that requires RAM headroom.
Hardcore Mechanics & Entity Tracking
RLCraft's hardcore survival mechanics mean the server constantly tracks player stats, temperature, thirst, and other survival systems. Combined with the modpack's event system and entity interactions, this creates a persistent memory footprint that grows with player count.
Is 4GB RAM Enough for an RLCraft Server?
❌ No, not realistically. While an RLCraft server might technically boot with 4GB RAM, it won't be playable. You'll experience frequent crashes, mob despawns, severe lag spikes, and players getting kicked due to memory errors. Even with just 1-2 players, 4GB is insufficient for RLCraft's mod complexity and entity load.
Does CPU Matter More Than RAM for RLCraft?
Both CPU and RAM are critical for RLCraft, but they solve different problems. Single-core CPU performance matters a lot for processing entity AI, combat calculations, and world generation—these directly impact tick rate (TPS) and responsiveness. RAM prevents crashes and allows the server to keep all necessary chunks, entities, and mod data loaded. Without enough RAM, even the best CPU can't prevent crashes. Without enough CPU, even with plenty of RAM, you'll experience lag spikes and low TPS.
In practice, RLCraft performance problems are usually caused by insufficient CPU first, and insufficient RAM second. For a deeper dive into how CPU and RAM interact, see our Minecraft Server CPU vs RAM guide.
Recommended Settings to Reduce RAM Usage in RLCraft
While you can't eliminate RLCraft's RAM requirements, these settings can help optimize memory usage:
Lower View Distance
Reduce server view distance to 8-10 chunks (default is often 10-12). This limits how many chunks stay loaded per player, reducing both RAM usage and CPU load from chunk processing.
Cap Mob Counts
Use server.properties or mod configurations to limit entity counts per chunk. This prevents Lycanites Mobs from spawning excessive numbers of entities that consume memory.
Avoid Excessive Chunk Loaders
Chunk loaders keep chunks active even when players aren't nearby, consuming RAM continuously. Limit their use to essential automation only, and remove unused loaders.
Pre-Generate World If Possible
Pre-generating your world during off-peak hours reduces the CPU and memory spikes that occur during exploration. This is especially helpful for RLCraft's complex world generation.
Summary — What to Allocate for RLCraft
- RLCraft requires more RAM than typical modpacks due to Lycanites Mobs, dynamic spawning, and hardcore mechanics
- Minimum viable RAM starts at 6GB for small groups (2-5 players)
- For 5-10 players, plan for 8-10 GB RAM
- Larger communities (10-20 players) need 10-12 GB minimum, with 16 GB recommended for optimal performance
- Both CPU and RAM matter—CPU prevents lag spikes, RAM prevents crashes
If you're unsure, start with 8–10 GB and scale based on peak usage. Monitor your server's memory usage during peak playtimes and adjust accordingly.