Recommended Mods
FortressMC is playable in vanilla Java or Bedrock, but several optional client mods improve the experience. The server runs matching plugins where needed so these work out of the box.
None of these mods are required to join. Vanilla clients can still play; you just miss voice chat and extended view distance.
Simple Voice Chat
Simple Voice Chat adds proximity voice chat: players near you are louder, distant players are quieter. The server runs the Bukkit/Paper plugin; you install the client mod (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt) on Java.
Why use it: coordination in cities, combat callouts, and general social play without typing.
Setup:
- Install the Simple Voice Chat mod for your loader and Minecraft version.
- Join the server. Voice uses UDP port 24454 on FortressMC. Normal voice range is 48 blocks; whisper range is 24 blocks.
- Press the voice chat key (default V) to open settings, test your mic, and choose push-to-talk or voice activation.
Vanilla Java clients can join the server without the mod; they simply cannot use voice. Bedrock players do not use this mod.
More info: Simple Voice Chat wiki
SimpleVoiceRadio
SimpleVoiceRadio is an addon for Simple Voice Chat that adds long-range radio channels. Useful for groups that need to talk across distances (military net, city admin channel, trade caravan, etc.) without everyone standing next to each other.
Requires Simple Voice Chat on both server and client. Install the radio addon alongside the base voice chat mod.
Distant Horizons
Distant Horizons is a client mod that extends render distance with LOD terrain far beyond vanilla view distance. FortressMC runs Distant Horizons Support on the server, which generates and sends LOD data to clients that have the mod installed.
Why use it: the map is large (±10,000 overworld) and landmarks are easier to spot with extended view. Exploration and navigation feel much better.
Setup:
- Install the Distant Horizons mod on Java (Fabric or Forge build matching your client).
- Join FortressMC. The server plugin streams LOD data for supported dimensions.
- Tune quality vs performance in the mod settings. Lower LOD quality is easier on FPS and server load.
Without the mod, you still play normally at vanilla render distance (server view distance is 10 chunks). Bedrock players do not use Distant Horizons.
More info: Distant Horizons server plugin wiki
World map (browser)
FortressMC uses squaremap for a live 2D web map of the world. It is not a client mod: open the map in any browser to see terrain and online players.
The map runs on port 18742. The public URL is posted in Discord. squaremap uses a vanilla-style top-down view and updates as chunks are explored.
What you do not need
These are installed on the server for admin or background use and are not documented here as player mods:
- Permission, MOTD, chunk pregen, or display plugins
- Chat replacement plugins (vanilla/Bedrock chat works as normal)
If you only install one mod, Simple Voice Chat is the most impactful for multiplayer. Distant Horizons is the best quality-of-life mod for exploring the large map.