Stoneblock 3 Server Installation: Skyblock Modpack

What is Stoneblock 3 and Why Host a Server?

Stoneblock 3 isn’t your typical Minecraft experience—you’re literally trapped inside a massive stone cube with nothing but a few starting tools and your wits. This modpack takes the skyblock concept and flips it on its head, challenging players to mine, automate, and build their way through hundreds of mods while surrounded by endless stone. If you’ve played the previous Stoneblock versions, you know the drill: claustrophobic starts that explode into massive automated bases powered by mods like Mekanism, Applied Energistics 2, and Industrial Foregoing.

Stoneblock 3 is a kitchen-sink modpack featuring over 200 mods that transform standard Minecraft survival into a tech-focused automation challenge where players progress from basic tools to complex machinery while mining through an infinite stone world.

Hosting your own Stoneblock 3 server lets you experience this unique modpack with friends, control progression speed, and customize the experience without dealing with public server chaos or performance issues.

Server Requirements for Stoneblock 3

Before you jump into installation, understand what you’re dealing with. Stoneblock 3 is resource-hungry, and underpowered servers create lag nightmares that’ll make your players quit faster than you can say “chunk loading error.”

Minimum Hardware Specifications

Here’s what you actually need, not the fantasy numbers some hosting providers advertise:

• RAM: 6GB absolute minimum for 2-3 players, but you’ll want 8-10GB for smooth performance
• CPU: Modern processor with strong single-thread performance (Minecraft Java Edition loves single-core speed)
• Storage: 10GB minimum for the modpack, plus additional space for world saves and backups
• Network: Stable connection with at least 10Mbps upload speed

For larger groups (5+ players), bump that RAM to 12-16GB. Those Applied Energistics networks and Mekanism factories eat resources like candy, especially when multiple players build sprawling automated systems.

Java Version Requirements

Stoneblock 3 runs on Minecraft 1.18.2, which means you need Java 17 or higher. Don’t use Java 8—it won’t work. Most modern hosting providers include the correct Java version, but if you’re self-hosting, download the correct JDK from Adoptium or Oracle.

Installing Stoneblock 3 Server: Step-by-Step Guide

There are two main approaches: using a managed hosting provider or self-hosting on your own hardware. Both have their place depending on your technical comfort level and budget.

Method 1: Managed Server Hosting (Recommended for Most Users)

The fastest way to get playing is through a game server host that supports modded Minecraft. GameTeam.io offers optimized Minecraft hosting starting at $1/GB with one-click modpack installation—grab 20% off during their current promotion.

Here’s the typical process with managed hosting:

1. Select a Minecraft server plan with at least 8GB RAM
2. Access your server control panel after purchase
3. Navigate to the modpack installer section
4. Search for “Stoneblock 3” in the available modpacks
5. Click install and wait 5-10 minutes for automatic setup
6. Start your server and connect using the provided IP address

Managed hosting handles Java versions, port forwarding, DDoS protection, and automatic backups. You’re paying for convenience, but it’s worth it if you want to play, not troubleshoot server configurations.

Method 2: Self-Hosting Installation

If you’re comfortable with server management or want complete control, self-hosting works great. You’ll need a dedicated machine or VPS—don’t try running this on your gaming PC while playing.

Download the Server Files:

1. Visit the CurseForge website and locate Stoneblock 3
2. Navigate to the “Files” tab
3. Download the server pack (not the client modpack)
4. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to your server directory

Configure Server Settings:

1. Open the extracted folder and locate the server installation script
2. Run the installer script (startserver.bat on Windows, startserver.sh on Linux)
3. Accept the EULA by editing eula.txt and changing “false” to “true”
4. Edit server.properties to configure settings like max players, difficulty, and view distance

Allocate RAM Properly:

Edit your startup script to allocate appropriate memory. Replace the Java arguments with something like this for 10GB allocation:

java -Xms10G -Xmx10G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -jar forge-server.jar nogui

Those garbage collection flags significantly improve performance with modded Minecraft. Don’t skip them.

Port Forwarding and Firewall Configuration

If you’re self-hosting from home, you need to forward port 25565 (default Minecraft port) through your router. Every router interface is different, but the process generally involves:

• Accessing your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
• Finding the port forwarding section
• Creating a new rule for TCP/UDP port 25565 pointing to your server’s local IP
• Configuring your firewall to allow incoming connections on that port

Essential Server Configuration and Optimization

Getting the server running is step one. Making it actually playable requires some tweaking.

Performance Optimization Settings

Modded Minecraft servers need optimization or they’ll chug harder than a steam engine. Here are the changes that actually matter:

In server.properties:

• Set view-distance to 6-8 (not 10+, you’ll murder your CPU)
• Enable network-compression-threshold at 256
• Set max-tick-time to 60000 to prevent watchdog crashes

Chunk Loading Management:

Stoneblock 3 includes FTB Chunks mod for chunk loading. Configure the chunk loading limits in the FTB Chunks config to prevent players from force-loading excessive chunks. A reasonable limit is 25-50 chunks per player depending on your server resources.

Backup Strategy

Modded servers corrupt. It’s not if, it’s when. Set up automated backups immediately:

• Daily full backups of the world folder
• Keep at least 7 days of backup history
• Store backups on separate storage from your server
• Test restoration periodically—untested backups are worthless

Most managed hosting providers include automated backup systems. If you’re self-hosting, use tools like rsync on Linux or scheduled tasks with compression on Windows.

Whitelist and Server Security

Enable whitelist mode to control who joins your server. In server.properties, set white-list=true, then use these commands:

• /whitelist add PlayerName to add players
• /whitelist remove PlayerName to revoke access
• /whitelist reload after manual edits

For public or semi-public servers, install authentication plugins and consider additional security measures like fail2ban if you’re self-hosting.

Common Stoneblock 3 Server Issues and Solutions

Server Crashes on Startup

If your server crashes immediately, check these culprits first:

• Wrong Java version: Verify you’re using Java 17+
• Insufficient RAM: Increase allocation in your startup script
• Corrupted mod files: Re-download the server pack
• Port conflicts: Another service might be using port 25565

Always check the crash logs in the logs folder. The error message usually points directly to the problem.

Lag and Performance Problems

Lag in modded servers comes from a few usual suspects:

• Tile entity overload: Too many machines in loaded chunks. Use the /forge tps command to identify problem chunks
• Mob farms: Massive mob farms destroy performance. Set mob spawn limits in server configs
• Item entities: Dropped items everywhere. Install a mod like Clumps to merge XP orbs
• Chunk loading: Players loading too many chunks simultaneously

The Spark profiler mod helps identify specific performance bottlenecks. Install it and run profiling when lag occurs to see exactly what’s consuming resources.

Mod Compatibility Issues

Stoneblock 3 is pre-configured, but if you add custom mods, conflicts happen. Always:

• Test new mods in single-player first
• Check mod compatibility for Minecraft 1.18.2 and Forge version
• Read crash reports carefully—they usually name conflicting mods
• Keep backups before adding any modifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM does a Stoneblock 3 server need?

Plan for 8GB minimum for small groups (2-4 players) and 12-16GB for larger servers with 5+ players. The modpack itself uses about 6GB, but you need overhead for world generation, automation, and multiple players building complex systems.

Can I add custom mods to Stoneblock 3?

Yes, but proceed carefully. Ensure any added mods are compatible with Minecraft 1.18.2 and the Forge version used by Stoneblock 3. Adding mods changes gameplay balance and can introduce crashes or conflicts. Always test additions in a development environment first.

Why can’t players connect to my server?

Connection issues usually stem from port forwarding problems, firewall blocks, or incorrect IP addresses. Verify your port forwarding is configured correctly, check that your firewall allows connections on port 25565, and ensure players are using your public IP address (not your local 192.168.x.x address).

How do I update my Stoneblock 3 server?

Backup everything first, then download the latest server pack version from CurseForge. Replace the mods folder and config files with the updated versions, but preserve your world saves and player data. Test thoroughly before declaring the update successful.

What’s the difference between Stoneblock 3 and regular skyblock?

Skyblock starts you on a floating island with limited resources. Stoneblock 3 traps you inside an infinite stone world where you mine rather than build upward. It’s resource-abundant but space-constrained, focusing heavily on tech mods and automation rather than resource scarcity.

Getting Your Players Started

Once your server is running smoothly, share the connection details with your players. They’ll need the Stoneblock 3 client modpack installed through CurseForge or a similar launcher. Make sure everyone’s running the same modpack version to avoid connection issues.

Set up a Discord server or communication channel for coordination. Stoneblock 3 shines with player collaboration—one person focusing on power generation while another handles resource processing creates natural teamwork opportunities.

Ready to start mining? Launch your optimized Stoneblock 3 server today and skip the technical headaches—focus on building that perfect automated base instead.