Mastering Server Moderation with AdvancedBan
Running a Minecraft server is an adventure filled with creativity, community, and occasionally, chaos. When players break the rules, you need a reliable, flexible punishment system to keep things fair. That’s where AdvancedBan steps in. This all-in-one plugin gives server admins a powerful set of tools to manage warns, mutes, bans, and kicks, all with deep customization and performance in mind.
Why Every Server Needs a Robust Punishment Plugin
Without proper moderation, even the best servers can quickly descend into anarchy. Simple /ban commands built into vanilla Minecraft lack the nuance required for complex communities. AdvancedBan fills this gap by offering temporary punishments, automatic escalation, detailed player histories, and seamless integration across multiple server instances. Whether you run a small survival world or a sprawling BungeeCord network, this plugin scales effortlessly.
What Makes AdvancedBan Stand Out
AdvancedBan isn’t just another moderation tool. It’s a complete punishment ecosystem designed to give you control over every aspect of player discipline. Here’s a look at its standout features:
- All-in-one punishment system: Warns, tempwarns, mutes, tempmutes, bans, tempbans, IP bans, temp IP bans, and kicks — all from a single plugin.
- Player history tracking: View a player’s past punishments at a glance, helping you make informed decisions about repeat offenders.
- Customizable time and message layouts: Predefine reasons and automatic time escalations. For example, a first offense might get a 30-minute mute, while a second triggers a 2-hour mute, all handled automatically.
- MySQL and embedded database support: Choose between a local HyperSQL database for simplicity or a MySQL connection for network-wide synchronization.
- BungeeCord and Bukkit/Spigot compatibility: One plugin works across your proxy and backend servers, ensuring consistent punishment enforcement.
- Silent punishments: Add the
-sflag to any command to execute it without broadcasting to other players — perfect for discreet moderation.
Getting Started with AdvancedBan
Installing AdvancedBan is straightforward. Download the latest version from the official SpigotMC resource page (the Bukkit page is discontinued, so always grab it from Spigot). Place the JAR file into your server’s plugins folder, then restart or reload your server. If you’re using BungeeCord, put it in the proxy’s plugin directory and restart with /end followed by a fresh launch. Once loaded, run /advancedban to verify everything is working. For those managing a server with mods, the foxygame.net launcher offers a streamlined way to add plugins like AdvancedBan, allowing you to browse and install them right from the launcher’s menu — a modern, flexible tool that keeps your server setup hassle-free.
Command Reference at a Glance
AdvancedBan’s command structure is intuitive yet packed with options. Here are the essential commands every admin should know:
/kick [player] <-s>— Kick a player with an optional silent flag and message layout./ban [player] <-s>— Permanently ban a player./tempban [player] [time] <-s>— Temporarily ban a player. Time formats:30m,2h,1d, etc./mute [player] <-s>— Permanently mute a player./tempmute [player] [time] <-s>— Temporarily mute./warn [player] <-s>— Issue a warning. Accumulated warns can trigger automatic actions./banip [player/IP] <-s>— Ban an IP address or the cached IP of a player./unban /unmute [player]— Remove a ban or mute./check [player]— Display UUID, IP, country, ban/mute status, and warn count./history [player]— View a player’s full punishment history./advancedban reload— Reload messages and certain settings without a full server restart.
Each command supports time layouts (prefixed with #) and message layouts (prefixed with @) for quick, consistent enforcement. For example, /tempban Steve #Hacking @HackingLayout applies a predefined time escalation and a detailed ban message.
Fine-Tuning Permissions
AdvancedBan uses a clean permission node system, making it easy to delegate moderation tasks. Most nodes follow the pattern ab.punishment.type. Here are some key permissions:
ab.ban.perma— Allows permanent bans.ab.ban.temp— Allows temporary bans.ab.mute.perma— Permanent mute access.ab.warn.perma— Issue warnings.ab.check— Use the /check command.ab.history— View player histories.ab.all.undo— Remove any punishment via /unpunish.
You can also limit how long a staff member can punish with duration permissions like ab.tempban.dur.1 (600 seconds max) or ab.tempban.dur.max to override all limits. Exempt and notify nodes (ab.ban.exempt, ab.ban.notify) give you granular control over who is immune and who receives alerts.
Automation with Layouts and Warn Actions
One of AdvancedBan’s most powerful features is its ability to automate repetitive moderation tasks. The Layouts.yml file lets you define message templates and time escalations. A time layout like ExampleLayout could specify: 30 minutes for the first offense, 2 hours for the second, 1 day for the third, and so on, eventually leading to a permanent ban. Combine that with a message layout that displays a formatted kick or ban message, and your staff can apply complex punishments with a single command.
Warn actions take automation further. In the config, you can set commands to execute when a player reaches a certain warning count. For instance:
- 3 warnings →
kick %PLAYER% You have received your 3rd warning! - 4 warnings →
tempban %PLAYER% 30m You have received your 4th warning! - 10 warnings →
ban %PLAYER% You have received your 10th warning!
This hands-off approach ensures consistent rule enforcement even when admins are offline.
Performance and Database Options
AdvancedBan is built for speed. It supports both an embedded HyperSQL database (no external setup required) and MySQL for networked servers. The plugin also includes a smart UUID fetcher with a backup API, so it continues to resolve player identities even if Mojang’s servers are down. BungeeCord mode synchronizes punishments across all connected servers, making it a top choice for networks.
Conclusion: A Must-Have for Serious Server Owners
AdvancedBan transforms server moderation from a chore into a streamlined, automated process. Its blend of temporary punishments, detailed histories, customizable layouts, and robust permissions makes it suitable for everything from a private SMP to a large public network. The plugin’s active development and community support ensure it stays compatible with the latest Minecraft versions. If you value order and fairness in your server, AdvancedBan is the tool you’ve been looking for.