The best modpack for a friend group is not automatically the biggest or most popular one. It is the pack people still want to play after the first night, because everyone understands what to do, the server can keep up, and different play styles have room to breathe.
This list is not just "what is big on CurseForge right now." We are looking at three things: whether the pack gives a group shared goals, whether it has enough variety for different players, and how realistic it is to host on a server. This shortlist is updated for May 2026.
How to choose a modpack for a group
Before picking a pack, ask three questions.
Do you want shared goals or an open sandbox? Quest and RPG packs keep groups together. Kitchen-sink packs give freedom, but players can easily split into completely separate projects.
Do you have technical players? Create, big tech mods, and automation are great when someone enjoys leading that side. If your group has many newer players, a vanilla-plus or RPG pack may land better.
How much server overhead do you want? Big modpacks are fun, but they need more RAM, longer first startups, and stricter version discipline. If you just want to play quickly, choose a lighter pack.
1. All the Mods 10
Best for: groups that want a modern kitchen-sink modpack and do not mind learning new systems over time.
All the Mods 10 is a strong choice when you do not want to choose between tech, magic, exploration, and quests. Each player can find a lane: one builds automation, one explores dimensions, one follows quests, and one collects new materials.
Its multiplayer strength is breadth. Players do not need to do the same thing, but they still contribute to the same world. The trade-off is resource demand: many mods mean more RAM and a longer first startup. For even a small group, expect to use a larger plan than you would for vanilla.
Host an All the Mods 10 server.
2. All the Mods 9
Best for: players who want a large modpack but prefer a more mature ecosystem and more guides.
All the Mods 9 is still an excellent pick if you want a stable 1.20.1 Forge experience. The advantage is community knowledge: there are more guides, videos, and solutions to common problems. For a group, that matters. When someone gets stuck, help is easier to find.
Compared with ATM10, it feels less new, but that can be a benefit. If your group does not want a moving ecosystem, ATM9 is the safer choice.
Host an All the Mods 9 server.
3. RLCraft
Best for: groups that want challenge, chaos, and memorable shared stories.
RLCraft is not comfortable survival. It is harsh, often unfair, and that is exactly why it works with friends. One player dies in a ridiculous way, another runs to recover the gear, and someone else is shouting about a dragon. Solo, it can be frustrating. In a group, it creates stories.
For hosting, the upside is that it is not a modern massive kitchen-sink pack, so the requirements may be lower than the largest new packs. Still expect travel, deaths, exploration, and new chunks to put pressure on the server.
4. Prominence II RPG
Best for: players who want clearer progression, RPG systems, classes, dungeons, and bosses.
Prominence II RPG is a good middle ground for groups where not everyone wants tech lines and machines. Instead, it gives players progression, combat, abilities, and content with a natural direction. When players split roles, it can feel more coordinated than a normal open sandbox.
Its biggest advantage is readability. Newer players can understand what to do next. If your group tends to get lost in kitchen-sink packs, this is a better fit.
5. Better MC [FORGE]
Best for: groups that want "more Minecraft," not a completely different game.
Better MC is a friendly entry point into modded play. It adds biomes, structures, mobs, and exploration while staying understandable for players who mostly know vanilla. For families, less technical groups, or players who mostly want discovery, it can be a better pick than a massive tech pack.
From a server perspective, watch world generation. Exploration-focused packs can stress a server when several players travel in different directions at once. Sensible view distance and enough RAM matter a lot.
6. Create: Astral
Best for: players who love Create, automation, and shared engineering projects.
Create: Astral is more focused than kitchen-sink packs. Instead of offering everything, it builds much of the experience around Create and the gradual construction of machines. That is excellent for a group that likes planning a base, splitting tasks, and building larger systems together.
If some players dislike tech, they may get bored. This pack works best when at least part of the group enjoys thinking through production lines, power, item transport, and shared builds.
Quick pick by group type
- You want the most content and a long-term world: All the Mods 10 or All the Mods 9.
- You want hard survival and chaos: RLCraft.
- You want RPG progression and bosses: Prominence II RPG.
- You want exploration without a huge tech learning curve: Better MC.
- You want machines, automation, and shared engineering: Create: Astral.
If you cannot decide, choose for the least technical person in the group. A modpack that only two players understand can split the group faster than a simpler pack everyone can enjoy.
What to check before starting the server
For any modpack, check:
- whether a server pack exists,
- the exact modpack version players need,
- the RAM recommended by the host or community,
- whether the pack expects a specific launcher,
- whether whitelist should be enabled from the start.
VoxelRun tries to use the author's server pack so client-only mods do not end up on the server and crash startup. If you want the background, start with how to host a modpack server.
Bottom line
The best modpack for your group is the one that matches its energy. Technical players may love Create or All the Mods. A group looking for challenge may thrive in RLCraft. Newer players often do better with Better MC or Prominence II.
Pick the pack based on what you will still want to do on night three, not what looks biggest on night one.