How to Host a TerraFirmaCraft Server

What Is TerraFirmaCraft?

TerraFirmaCraft (TFC) is a total conversion mod for Minecraft that replaces the vanilla survival experience with a realistic simulation of geology, metallurgy, agriculture, and seasons. Ores generate in realistic geological formations rather than random blobs. Smelting requires building multi-block forges and managing heat levels. Crops grow based on season, temperature, and rainfall rather than random tick speed. TFC is available as a Forge mod, with the most active version (TFC: The New Generation) targeting Minecraft 1.18.2 and newer.

Hosting a TerraFirmaCraft server requires attention to its unique world generation and seasonal system. The custom terrain is heavier to generate than vanilla, and the season system runs calculations every tick that vanilla skips entirely.

Server Requirements

Forge and Java Version

TFC: TNG runs on Forge for Minecraft 1.18.2 or 1.20.1, depending on the version you choose. For 1.18.2, use Java 17. For 1.20.1, also use Java 17. Download the correct Forge version from the TFC installation instructions. If you host a TerraFirmaCraft server with additional addon mods (TFC addons like Firmalife or TFC: Create), verify Forge compatibility with each addon.

RAM Allocation

Player Count	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM
1–5 players	4 GB	6 GB
6–12 players	6 GB	8 GB
12–20 players	8 GB	10 GB

TFC is a single mod (plus optional addons) rather than a 300-mod kitchen-sink pack, so memory requirements are moderate. The main RAM consumer is the custom world generation, which stores more data per chunk than vanilla because of geology layers, nutrient values, and temperature maps. Our RAM calculator helps if you plan to add many TFC addons alongside the base mod.

Downloading and Installing

TFC does not have a server pack in the traditional modpack sense. Instead, set up a Forge server and add the TFC mod jar to the mods/ folder:

1. Install Forge for your target Minecraft version.
2. Download TerraFirmaCraft from CurseForge or Modrinth.
3. Place the TFC jar in mods/.
4. Add any desired addons (Firmalife, TFC: Create) to mods/.
5. Accept the EULA and start the server.

java -Xms4G -Xmx6G -jar forge-server.jar nogui

The first boot generates TFC config files and the custom world. Terrain generation is noticeably slower than vanilla because TFC builds geological layers, hydrology, and climate data for every chunk.

Config Tweaks

Season Length

TFC simulates seasons that affect crop growth, temperature, and weather. The default season length works well for active daily play. If your server has players who log in a few times per week, consider extending season duration so crops do not wither before players return to harvest them.

Ore Vein Density

TFC ores generate in realistic veins that require prospecting to find. If players struggle to locate resources, slightly increasing vein frequency in the TFC config keeps the geological feel while reducing frustration.

Common Issues

Slow Chunk Generation

TFC terrain generation is CPU-intensive because it builds multiple geological strata, places ore veins according to rock type, and calculates climate data per chunk. Pre-generation with Chunky is strongly recommended:

/chunky radius 2000
/chunky start

Set a world border to contain exploration within the pre-generated area.

Food Decay Confusion

TFC food decays over time based on temperature and storage method. New players often lose all their food. This is not a bug but a core mechanic. Make sure your server rules or welcome message explains food preservation basics (pottery vessels, cellars, pickling).

Performance Tuning

Set view-distance=10 and simulation-distance=6. TFC's terrain is beautiful and benefits from longer view distances, but the seasonal tick system only needs to run on nearby chunks.

JVM flags for Java 17:

java -Xms4G -Xmx6G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=130
-XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:G1NewSizePercent=40
-XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=50 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=16M
-XX:G1ReservePercent=15 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=20
-XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -jar forge-server.jar nogui

Check our JVM flags guide for more options. TFC pairs well with a small number of addons, so keep your mod list lean for the best experience. For a contrasting approach, our RLCraft guide covers another hardcore survival pack, and the Pixelmon guide shows how single-mod setups differ from modpacks.

Try our server: Astroworld MC, IP play.astroworldmc.com, Java + Bedrock.