---
title: "How to Make a Lifesteal SMP Server: Plugins, Setup, Rules"
description: "Build a Lifesteal SMP like the popular servers: compare Lifesteal plugins, set hearts and revives, stop abuse, or launch with a ready kit."
url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-make-a-lifesteal-smp-server"
updated: "2026-10-28T04:15:11.195145+00:00"
source: "ZCraft Studios"
---
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# How to Make a Lifesteal SMP Server: Plugins, Setup, Rules
ZCraft StudiosOct 28, 2026
Build a Lifesteal SMP like the popular servers: compare Lifesteal plugins, set hearts and revives, stop abuse, or launch with a ready kit.
## In this guide
- [What makes a Lifesteal SMP](#what-makes-a-lifesteal-smp)
- [Three ways to build it](#three-ways-to-build-it)
- [Choose a Lifesteal plugin](#choose-a-lifesteal-plugin)
- [Step-by-step setup with a plugin](#step-by-step-setup-with-a-plugin)
- [Supporting plugins most Lifesteal servers add](#supporting-plugins-most-lifesteal-servers-add)
- [Stop the common exploits](#stop-the-common-exploits)
- [Start from the kit instead](#start-from-the-kit-instead)
- [Launch checklist](#launch-checklist)
- [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
- [Related reading](#related-reading)
## How to Make a Lifesteal SMP Server: Plugins, Setup, Rules
**Quick answer:** to make a Lifesteal SMP you need a Paper server, a **Lifesteal plugin** that handles hearts, eliminations and revives, a combat-log and anti-cheat setup, and clear rules. You can assemble it yourself from plugins, start from a ready-made kit, or have a custom version built.
_Plugin features, prices and supported versions change, so confirm on each listing before you buy. Mentions below are examples, not endorsements._
_The ZCraft LifeSteal server setup kit._
## What makes a Lifesteal SMP
- Players gain a heart for killing another player and lose a heart when they die.
- At zero hearts a player is **eliminated**, by spectator mode or a temporary ban.
- Hearts can often be withdrawn into an item, traded, or used to **revive** someone.
- The server usually runs on a season with a world reset.
For design and balance, read [Building a LifeSteal Server: Lives, PvP Rules and Recovery](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-lifesteal-server-rules-guide). This guide focuses on building it.
## Three ways to build it
| Option | Best for | What you do |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Ready-made kit** | Launching quickly with everything connected | Install the server files and edit branding. The [ZCraft LifeSteal Server Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/products/lifesteal-server-setup-teams-economy) includes the LifeSteal core, teams, economy, jobs, crates, bounties, auction house, anti-cheat, combat log, leaderboards, ranks and NPCs for Paper and Spigot |
| **Plugins** | Servers that want full control | Pick a Lifesteal plugin, then add the supporting plugins yourself |
| **Custom build** | A unique mechanic or branded network | Hire a developer. See [Custom Minecraft Server Development](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-minecraft-development) |
## Choose a Lifesteal plugin
Several plugins exist, and some share similar names. For example, more than one plugin is called LifestealCore, by different authors, so check the author, page and version before you pay.
| Plugin (examples) | Reported features | Check |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| LifestealCore (Norska Development, BuiltByBit) | Configurable hearts, revive beacons, restorative hearts, sacrificial scrolls, a bundled resource pack, hooks for combat plugins such as CombatLogX, DeluxeCombat and PvPManager | Premium, and the supported version range |
| LifestealCore (a separate listing) | Crystal Hearts, spectator mode, revive command, /ls top, MySQL and SQLite, LuckPerms support | Different author, low price listed at time of writing |
| DxLifeStealCore | Heart items by tier, withdraw and deposit, revive book and GUI, events | Uses license keys. Check the version range on its page |
| LifestealSMP | Withdraw hearts, revive beacons, placeholders, economy integration | Runs on Bukkit, Spigot, Paper and Purpur |
| LS SMP | Setup command /lssetup, separate files for hearts, beacons and eliminations | Lists support for 26.1.2 and 26.2 |
| LifestealReborn | Hearts, fragments, revive star with a GUI, configurable max, min and revive hearts | Community plugin |
### What to compare
1. **Minecraft versions.** Make sure it supports your version. See [Update a Minecraft Server to 26.1+](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-26-1-server-update-guide).
2. **Elimination options:** spectator, temporary ban or permanent ban.
3. **Revive system:** beacon, item, GUI or admin command.
4. **Heart limits:** start, minimum, maximum and per-rank caps.
5. **Storage:** SQLite for one server, MySQL for networks. See [SQLite vs MySQL](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-plugin-database-sqlite-vs-mysql).
6. **Combat plugin hooks**, PlaceholderAPI placeholders and LuckPerms support.
7. **Update history, support and price.**
## Step-by-step setup with a plugin
1. **Start a Paper server.** See [How to Start a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/start-minecraft-server).
2. **Install the plugin** and read the console for errors. See [Plugin Not Loading?](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-plugin-not-loading-fix).
3. **Set the heart rules** in its config: starting hearts, minimum, maximum and hearts gained per kill.
4. **Choose what happens at zero hearts.** Spectator keeps players around, and temp bans create more tension.
5. **Set up revives.** Decide the cost and the recipe, and make revives hard enough to matter.
6. **Decide on heart drops** when the killer is at the maximum, so kills never waste a heart.
7. **Add combat logging.** Disconnecting in a fight must count as a death.
8. **Install anti-cheat.** See [Best Minecraft Anti-Cheat Plugins](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-anticheat-plugins-compared).
9. **Add permissions and ranks.** See [LuckPerms Setup Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-ranks-setup-guide).
10. **Show hearts on the tablist and scoreboard** with placeholders. See [TAB Plugin Config](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/tab-plugin-tablist-scoreboard-setup) and [PlaceholderAPI Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/placeholderapi-setup-guide).
11. **Add logging.** See [CoreProtect Rollback Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/coreprotect-rollback-commands-guide).
12. **Test, back up and launch.** See [Backup Strategy](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-backup-strategy).
## Supporting plugins most Lifesteal servers add
| Need | Plugin type |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Combat logging | CombatLogX, DeluxeCombat or PvPManager style plugins |
| Anti-cheat | Grim, Vulcan or Matrix |
| Economy and shops | Vault, an economy plugin and a shop plugin. See [Vault Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vault-economy-plugin-setup) |
| Punishments | [AdvancedBan](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/advancedban-setup-guide) or [LiteBans](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/litebans-setup-guide) |
| Chat tags and cosmetics | [EternalTags](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-plugin-setup-guide) |
| Rewards | [Pouches and crates](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-currency-pouches-setup) |
| Leaderboards | [Leaderboards Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-leaderboards-stats-setup) |
| Claims | [GriefPrevention](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/griefprevention-claims-setup) |
## Stop the common exploits
| Exploit | Defense |
| ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Alt farming | Limit heart gain from the same IP or new accounts, and review kill logs |
| Kill trading between friends | Cooldown on gaining hearts from the same victim |
| Combat logging | Combat tag with a death penalty |
| Spawn camping | Spawn protection and respawn invulnerability |
| Heart duplication | Update the plugin, test crafting, and watch for dupe reports. See [Dealing With Cheaters](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-cheaters) |
| Bugs causing unfair losses | A written refund policy. See [Ban Appeal Process](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-ban-appeal-process) |
## Start from the kit instead
If you do not want to wire ten plugins together, the **ZCraft LifeSteal Server Setup** ships the server pre-integrated: the LifeSteal core, team system with shared bases, jobs and economy, custom menus, crates, bounties, auction house, RTP, combat logging, anti-cheat, leaderboards, warps, ranks, homes and 9+ NPCs, with branding and placeholders you can edit. It is built for Paper and Spigot and lists 26.1.2 and 26.2 as tested versions. Read the README for the plugin list and exact first-boot steps, then follow [Staff Training Checklist](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-staff-onboarding) before you open.
## Launch checklist
- Rules posted on your site and Discord, including refunds
- A tested revive path and a tested elimination path
- Backups and restore tested
- Staff trained and permissions reviewed
- A season plan. See [Season Reset Checklist](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-season-reset-guide)
- Hosting with enough CPU for PvP. See [Best Minecraft Server Hosting](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/best-minecraft-server-hosting-2026)
## Frequently asked questions
**What plugin do Lifesteal SMPs use?** Many use a Lifesteal plugin such as LifestealCore or similar. Pick by version support, features and update history.
**Can I make a Lifesteal server for free?** Free Lifesteal plugins exist, but check their features, support and update status.
**How many hearts should players start with?** Ten is common, which matches normal health. Set it in the plugin config.
**Should elimination be a ban or spectator?** Spectator is gentler and keeps players in your community. Bans add tension.
**Do I need a custom plugin?** Only for unique mechanics. Otherwise start with an existing plugin or the kit.
**Which Minecraft version should I use?** One your plugins support. Check the version range on every listing.
## Related reading
- [Building a LifeSteal Server: Lives, PvP Rules and Recovery](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-lifesteal-server-rules-guide)
- [Best Minecraft Server Plugins by Category](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/best-minecraft-plugins-by-category)
- [How to Start a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/start-minecraft-server)
## Continue reading
- [Build a LifeSteal Server: Lives, PvP Rules, Recovery](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-lifesteal-server-rules-guide)
- [Nations SMP Setup With Towny: Towns, Claims and Economy](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/nations-smp-setup-towny-towns-claims)
- [Vanilla-Plus SMP Setup: A Hermitcraft-Style Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vanilla-plus-smp-setup-hermitcraft-style)
- [Roleplay SMP Setup: Lore, Whitelist, Voice Chat and Builds](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/roleplay-smp-setup-lore-whitelist-voice-chat)
[ Previous guide Hypixel-Style Network Setup: Lobby, Minigames and Ranks](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/hypixel-style-network-setup-lobby-minigames)