What is The Pixelmon Modpack?
The Pixelmon Modpack is the official modpack from the Pixelmon team: the Pixelmon mod plus a handful of world-generation and quality-of-life mods, pre-configured so you can install it in one click. It's published on CurseForge by the PixelmonMod account, has been there since June 2020 and has passed 20 million downloads.
Pixelmon itself is a fan-made mod that adds Pokémon-style creatures to Minecraft: you pick a starter, catch wild creatures with Poké Balls, battle trainers and other players, breed, trade and fill your Pokédex. It's an unofficial fan project and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak or The Pokémon Company. The mod's own metadata lists Ikara Software as the copyright holder, and the official site is pixelmonmod.com.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Latest pack version | 9.4.2 (22 October 2026) |
| Minecraft version | 1.21.1 (Java Edition) |
| Mod loader | NeoForge |
| Mods in the pack | 14 |
| Author | PixelmonMod (official) |
| Recommended server RAM | 8–10 GB |
The Pixelmon Modpack is one of the most popular packs on Spot.gg – it has already been launched on almost 450 servers here.
Is Pixelmon still updated, and is this pack official?
Yes to both: Pixelmon is actively developed, and The Pixelmon Modpack is published by the Pixelmon team itself. Version 9.4.2 of both the mod and the pack came out on 22 October 2026. Many players still call the mod "Pixelmon Reforged" – that's the same project, the name on CurseForge is now simply "Pixelmon".
The pack has moved across several Minecraft versions over the years. The newest version of each line, according to CurseForge:
| Pack version | Minecraft | Loader |
|---|---|---|
| 9.3.x – 9.4.x | 1.21.1 | NeoForge |
| 9.2.10 | 1.20.2 | Forge |
| 9.2.3 | 1.20.1 | Forge |
| 9.1.13 | 1.16.5 | Forge |
If you're starting today, go for the 1.21.1 line – the older ones no longer get updates.
Which version does a Pixelmon server run?
A server runs the newest version that has official server files – right now that's 9.3.14, not 9.4.2. This is the single most important detail for anyone hosting Pixelmon. The Pixelmon team published server files for 9.3.14 (13 January 2026), but none for 9.3.15, 9.3.16 or the 9.4 releases. Without an official server pack, a host can't install those versions the same way.
What this means in practice:
- the CurseForge App installs the newest version (9.4.2) by default, while the server runs 9.3.14,
- players with a different version than the server can't join (missing or mismatched mods),
- the fix: in the CurseForge App, open the pack's versions and install exactly the version the server is running.
On Spot.gg, 9.3.14 passed our test boot (we start a server on every new pack version before offering it), and the "How to connect?" button in the panel always shows the exact version your players need.
What mods are in The Pixelmon Modpack?
Just 14 – it's a light pack built around Pixelmon, not a 300-mod kitchen sink. List from the manifest of version 9.4.2:
| Mod | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pixelmon (with Pixelmon TCG) | the core mod: creatures, battles, items, NPCs, plus a trading card game module |
| The Pixelmon Mod OST | the official soundtrack by Chris Geddes |
| JourneyMap | minimap and full map, with creature sprites |
| Just Enough Items (JEI) | recipe browser |
| Terralith, Tectonic, Lithostitched | new biomes and taller, more varied terrain |
| Structory, Structory: Towers | atmospheric structures to explore |
| Incendium | a reworked Nether with new biomes and structures |
| FancyMenu, Konkrete, Melody | custom main menu and its libraries |
| Essential | client-side social features (new in 9.4.x) |
Version 9.3.14 – the one servers run – has the same list, except it includes Nullscape (a reworked End) instead of Essential. Since there are so few mods, the pack starts quickly and runs well even on mid-range PCs.
How do you download and install Pixelmon?
The easiest way is the CurseForge App: search for "The Pixelmon Modpack", click Install and then Play. The app downloads NeoForge, all 14 mods and the configs for you.
- Install the CurseForge App and choose Minecraft.
- Search for "The Pixelmon Modpack" (author PixelmonMod) and click Install.
- If you're joining a server, open the pack's versions and pick the exact version the server runs (currently 9.3.14).
- Allocate memory in the app's Minecraft settings – 6 GB is plenty for this pack.
- Click Play, then go to Multiplayer → Add Server.
You can also install the mod by hand – download NeoForge for 1.21.1 and put the Pixelmon jar in your mods folder – but then you have to match every mod and version with the server yourself. The modpack saves you that work.
Can you play Pixelmon on Bedrock?
No – Pixelmon is a Java Edition mod for NeoForge (and Forge on older versions), so it doesn't run on Bedrock: phones, consoles or the Windows Store edition. Pixelmon "add-ons" for Bedrock that you may find online are unrelated projects. To play Pixelmon you need Minecraft Java Edition on a PC (Windows, macOS or Linux).
How much RAM does a Pixelmon server need?
For a group of friends, 8 GB is a comfortable amount; the Pixelmon pack page on Spot.gg suggests 10 GB as a safe default. The pack only has 14 mods, but Pixelmon spawns creatures around every player, and new terrain from Terralith and Tectonic costs memory when the world generates.
| Where | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| PC (allocated in the launcher) | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Server, 1–4 players | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Server, 5–15 players | 8 GB | 10–12 GB |
On Spot.gg, most Pixelmon servers run between 6 and 10 GB – the most common choices are 6, 8 and 10 GB. You can raise the memory at any time in the panel if the server starts lagging.
How to make a Pixelmon server
Pick The Pixelmon Modpack when you create the server – it installs itself, then your friends join with the same version from the CurseForge App. Open to LAN only works while the host is playing; a dedicated server keeps your world, your party and your PC boxes online for everyone.
- Create a Spot.gg account and click "Activate a free server".
- Pick Minecraft and The Pixelmon Modpack – search the catalog or start straight from The Pixelmon Modpack page. No file uploads needed.
- Set the RAM – modpack servers start at 6 GB (from $7.55 / month after the free trial); for Pixelmon choose 8–10 GB. You can change it later in the panel.
- In the panel, click "How to connect?" – you get step-by-step instructions: the CurseForge App, the pack name to search, the exact version and the server address to copy.
- Everyone installs that version of The Pixelmon Modpack, launches the game and goes to "Multiplayer" → "Add Server".
The first 24 hours are free, no card required – enough to catch your first team and check the server runs smoothly for everyone.
Which Pixelmon commands and settings are useful on a server?
The most useful admin commands are /pokespawn, /pokegive, /pokeheal and /endbattle; the main settings live in config/pixelmon/. Commands need operator permissions – run them from the server console in the panel, or /op yourself first. Command names below come straight from the Pixelmon 9.3.14 jar:
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/pokespawn <name> [x y z] |
spawns a creature, e.g. for an event |
/pokegive <player> <name> |
gives a creature to a player's party |
/pokeheal [player] |
heals a player's party |
/endbattle [player] |
ends a stuck battle |
/starter |
opens the starter choice |
/checkspawns |
shows what can spawn where you stand |
/dolegendaryspawn |
forces a legendary spawn attempt |
/pokedex |
edits a player's Pokédex (admin) |
Server settings are YAML files you can edit in the "Files" tab: config/pixelmon/config.yml (general rules, including starter selection on first join), config/pixelmon/battle.yml (battle rules) and the config/pixelmon/spawning/ folder (wild and legendary spawns). Restart the server after editing them.
Pixelmon vs Cobblemon: which one should you choose?
Pick Pixelmon for the most complete, long-running Pokémon experience on NeoForge; pick Cobblemon if you want Fabric support or to mix it with popular tech and building mods. They are two separate mods by different teams – worlds and creatures can't be moved from one to the other.
| Pixelmon | Cobblemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Loader | NeoForge (1.21.1) | Fabric and NeoForge |
| Official pack in our catalog | The Pixelmon Modpack (14 mods) | Cobblemon Official Modpack NeoForge and Fabric |
| Servers on Spot.gg | almost 450 | about 200 across the official packs |
| Style | huge feature set, NPC trainers, TCG module | modern models, lots of community add-ons |
Looking for something bigger? Our catalog also has community packs built on these mods, for example COBBLEVERSE (Cobblemon adventure on Fabric 1.21.1) and Pixelmon Forever Reforged (Pixelmon on NeoForge 1.21.1). Read more about the Cobblemon mod on its page, or see how to make a Cobblemon server.
What are the most common Pixelmon server problems?
Most Pixelmon join errors come from a version mismatch between the player and the server. The rest is usually memory.
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Mismatched mods" or missing mods on join | player has 9.4.x, server runs 9.3.14 | install the exact version from "How to connect?" in the CurseForge App |
| Server lags when many players explore | creature spawns and new terrain eat RAM | raise server RAM to 10–12 GB |
| Game stutters or crashes on the client | too little RAM allocated | set 6 GB in the CurseForge App |
| Battle stuck, player can't move | broken battle state | run /endbattle PLAYER in the console |
| Pixelmon doesn't start on a phone or console | Bedrock isn't supported | play on Java Edition |
Not sure what's wrong? Check the "Errors" tab in the server panel or click "Ask the assistant" – the AI assistant reads the server logs and tells you what to fix. For more about mods on a server, see how to make a modded Minecraft server, and for other packs, our list of the best Minecraft modpacks.
FAQ
What Minecraft version is The Pixelmon Modpack on?
The current line (9.3.x–9.4.x) runs on Minecraft Java Edition 1.21.1 with NeoForge. Older lines exist for 1.20.2, 1.20.1 and 1.16.5 (Forge), but they're no longer updated.
Is Pixelmon Reforged the same as Pixelmon?
Yes – it's the same mod and team; on CurseForge it's now listed simply as "Pixelmon". The Pixelmon Modpack is the team's official pack built around it.
Why can't I join a Pixelmon server with the newest version?
The newest releases (9.3.15 and later, including 9.4.2) were published without official server files, so servers run 9.3.14. Install exactly the version your server shows in "How to connect?".
Is Pixelmon available on Bedrock?
No. Pixelmon is a Java Edition mod and doesn't work on Bedrock, consoles or phones.
How much RAM does a Pixelmon server need?
8 GB is comfortable for a few friends, and 10–12 GB for a bigger group. On Spot.gg, modpack servers start at 6 GB from $7.55 per month, and you can add RAM at any time.
Can I host a Pixelmon server for free?
On Spot.gg the first 24 hours are free with no card. If everything works, extend the server and keep playing on the same world.
Pixelmon or Cobblemon – which is better?
Neither is strictly better. Pixelmon has the longer history and a very complete feature set on NeoForge; Cobblemon runs on Fabric and NeoForge and has many community add-ons. Both have official packs in our catalog.
