Game rules allow server administrators to refine the logic and mechanics that govern a Minecraft world. These settings control specific elements, such as whether fire spreads, how mobs behave, or if players keep items after death. Operators adjust these variables to tailor the environment to a preferred difficulty level or gameplay style. The modifications take effect instantly, updating the global state without requiring a server reboot.

Note: Game rules are case-sensitive. The settings listed are the default as of Minecraft version 1.21.9.

How to Set Game Rules on a Minecraft Server (Console)

1. Log in to the BisectHosting Starbase panel.

2. Start the server.

3. Go to the Console tab.

4. Run the following command to set a game rule: gamerule [rule] [value]

How to Set Game Rules on a Minecraft Server (In-game)

1. Join the server as an OP. Learn how to OP here.

2. Press T to open the chat.

3. Run the following command to set a game rule: /gamerule [rule] [value]

Minecraft Java Game Rules

Rule	Description	Default Value
`advance_time`	Whether the daylight cycle and moon phases progress.	`TRUE`
`advance_weather`	Whether the weather can change naturally.	`TRUE`
`allow_entering_nether_using_portals`	Whether the Nether can be entered by using Nether portals.	`TRUE`
`block_drops`	Whether blocks should have drops.	`TRUE`
`block_explosion_drop_decay`	Whether block loot is dropped by all blocks (`false`) or randomly (`true`), depending on the distance from the explosion center.	`TRUE`
`command_block_output`	Whether command blocks should notify admins when they perform commands.	`TRUE`
`command_blocks_work`	Whether command blocks should be enabled in-game.	`TRUE`
`drowning_damage`	Whether the player should take damage when drowning.	`TRUE`
`elytra_movement_check`	Whether the server should skip checking player speed when wearing elytra (helps with lag).	`FALSE`
`ender_pearls_vanish_on_death`	Controls whether thrown ender pearls vanish when the player dies.	`TRUE`
`entity_drops`	Whether entities that are not mobs should have drops.	`TRUE`
`fall_damage`	Whether the player should take fall damage.	`TRUE`
`fire_damage`	Whether the player should take damage from fire, lava, campfires, or magma blocks.	`TRUE`
`fire_spread_radius_around_player`	Controls the maximum distance in blocks that fire can spread around a player.	`128`
`forgive_dead_players`	Makes angered neutral mobs stop being angry when the target player dies.	`TRUE`
`freeze_damage`	Whether the player should take damage when inside powder snow.	`TRUE`
`functioncommandlimit`	The maximum number of commands that can be executed by `/function` at once.	`10000`
`global_sound_events`	Whether all players hear global sounds (wither spawn, dragon death, portal activation).	`TRUE`
`immediate_respawn`	Players respawn immediately without showing the death screen.	`FALSE`
`keep_inventory`	Whether the player should keep items and experience in their inventory after death.	`FALSE`
`lava_source_conversion`	Whether new lava sources are allowed to form.	`FALSE`
`limited_crafting`	Whether players can craft only those recipes that they have unlocked.	`FALSE`
`locator_bar`	Whether the player's locator bar is enabled (indicates the location of players/entities).	`TRUE`
`log_admin_commands`	Whether to log admin commands to the server log.	`TRUE`
`max_block_modifications`	Controls the maximum number of blocks changed when using `/clone`, `/fill`, or `/fillbiome`.	`32768`
`max_command_forks`	The maximum number of forks (contexts) that can be created during one tick.	`65536`
`max_command_sequence_length`	The maximum length of a chain of commands that can be executed during one tick.	`65536`
`max_entity_cramming`	Max number of pushable entities a mob/player can push before taking damage (`0` disables the rule).	`24`
`max_minecart_speed`	The maximum speed a minecart may reach.	`8`
`max_snow_accumulation_height`	The maximum number of snow layers that can be accumulated on each block.	`1`
`mob_drops`	Whether mobs should drop items and experience orbs.	`TRUE`
`mob_explosion_drop_decay`	Whether block loot is dropped by all blocks (`false`) or randomly (`true`), depending on the distance from the mob explosion.	`TRUE`
`mob_griefing`	Whether mobs (creepers, endermen, etc.) can change blocks or pick up items.	`TRUE`
`natural_health_regeneration`	Whether the player can regenerate health naturally if their hunger is full enough.	`TRUE`
`player_movement_check`	Whether the server should skip checking player speed.	`FALSE`
`players_nether_portal_creative_delay`	The time a creative player needs to stand in a nether portal before changing dimensions.	`0`
`players_nether_portal_default_delay`	The time a non-creative player needs to stand in a nether portal before changing dimensions.	`80`
`players_sleeping_percentage`	The percentage of players required to sleep to skip the night.	`100`
`projectiles_can_break_blocks`	Whether impact projectiles destroy blocks (chorus flowers, dripstone, pots).	`TRUE`
`pvp`	Whether players can damage other players.	`TRUE`
`raids`	Whether raids are disabled.	`FALSE`
`random_tick_speed`	How often a random block tick occurs per chunk section per game tick.	`3`
`reduced_debug_info`	Whether the debug screen shows reduced info and hides hitbox/chunk borders.	`FALSE`
`respawn_radius`	The number of blocks outward from world spawn that a player spawns in.	`10`
`send_command_feedback`	Whether the feedback from commands executed by a player should show up in chat.	`TRUE`
`show_advancement_messages`	Whether advancements should be announced in chat.	`TRUE`
`show_death_messages`	Whether death messages are put into chat when a player dies.	`TRUE`
`spawn_mobs`	Whether mobs should spawn naturally or via global spawning logic.	`TRUE`
`spawn_monsters`	Whether monsters can spawn naturally.	`TRUE`
`spawn_patrols`	Whether patrols can spawn.	`TRUE`
`spawn_phantoms`	Whether phantoms can spawn at night.	`TRUE`
`spawn_wandering_traders`	Whether wandering traders can spawn.	`TRUE`
`spawn_wardens`	Whether wardens can spawn.	`TRUE`
`spawner_blocks_work`	Enable or disable monster spawner blocks.	`TRUE`
`spectators_generate_chunks`	Whether players in Spectator mode can generate chunks.	`TRUE`
`spread_vines`	Whether vines can spread to other blocks.	`TRUE`
`tnt_explodes`	Whether TNT explodes after activation.	`TRUE`
`tnt_explosion_drop_decay`	Whether block loot is dropped by all blocks (false) or randomly (true), depending on distance from the TNT explosion.	`FALSE`
`universal_anger`	Makes angered neutral mobs attack any nearby player, not just the provoker.	`FALSE`
`water_source_conversion`	Whether new sources of water are allowed to form.	`TRUE`