--- title: "Nations SMP Setup With Towny: Towns, Claims and Economy" description: "Build a nations SMP like Earth or Empires servers with Towny: towns, nations, plots, economy, wars, roleplay and moderation." url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/nations-smp-setup-towny-towns-claims" updated: "2026-10-28T04:15:11.195145+00:00" source: "ZCraft Studios" --- > Site index for AI agents: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms.txt (full reference: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms-full.txt). Every page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL or sending `Accept: text/markdown`. 1. [Home](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/) 2. [Blog](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog) 3. Nations SMP Setup With Towny: Towns, Claims and Economy [ All posts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog) # Nations SMP Setup With Towny: Towns, Claims and Economy ZCraft StudiosOct 28, 2026 Build a nations SMP like Earth or Empires servers with Towny: towns, nations, plots, economy, wars, roleplay and moderation. ## In this guide - [What a nations server is](#what-a-nations-server-is) - [Three ways to build it](#three-ways-to-build-it) - [Step 1: set up the base server](#step-1-set-up-the-base-server) - [Step 2: install Towny](#step-2-install-towny) - [Step 3: key rules to decide](#step-3-key-rules-to-decide) - [Step 4: lore and roleplay](#step-4-lore-and-roleplay) - [Step 5: add supporting plugins](#step-5-add-supporting-plugins) - [Step 6: moderate fairly](#step-6-moderate-fairly) - [Step 7: test and launch](#step-7-test-and-launch) - [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Related reading](#related-reading) ## Nations SMP Setup With Towny: Towns, Claims and Economy **Quick answer:** a nations SMP lets players found towns, claim land, join nations and manage an economy. **Towny** is the most widely used plugin for this. Install it with Vault and an economy plugin, set claim and upkeep rules, decide how diplomacy and conflict work, and write clear server lore and rules before you open. _Command names and options vary by Towny version, so read the official Towny documentation for the version you run._ ## What a nations server is | Feature | What players do | | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | Towns | Found a town, claim land and invite members | | Plots | Buy, rent or assign plots inside a town | | Nations | Towns join nations, with diplomacy | | Economy | Pay taxes, upkeep and rent | | Conflict | Optional wars or sieges, set by rules or add-ons | It differs from simple claims plugins, which only protect land. See [GriefPrevention Claims](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/griefprevention-claims-setup) and [WorldGuard vs GriefPrevention](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/worldguard-vs-griefprevention-comparison). ## Three ways to build it | Option | Best for | | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Plugins (this guide) | Most nations servers | | A ready spawn and setup | Faster launch. The ZCraft [Fantasy Forest](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/products/fantasy-forest-200x200) spawn and [EssentialsX Messages](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/products/essentialsx-config-messages) pack save setup time | | Custom development | A unique mechanic. See [Custom Minecraft Server Development](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-minecraft-development) | ## Step 1: set up the base server 1. Install Paper and the right Java. See [How to Start a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/start-minecraft-server). 2. Install [LuckPerms](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-ranks-setup-guide), [Vault](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vault-economy-plugin-setup) and an economy plugin. Many servers use EssentialsX economy. 3. Install [CoreProtect](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/coreprotect-rollback-commands-guide) for logging. ## Step 2: install Towny 1. Download Towny from its official page and check that it supports your Minecraft version. 2. Place the jar in `plugins/`, start the server and read the console. 3. Review the config files in `plugins/Towny/settings/`. 4. Grant players permission to use Towny commands through LuckPerms. ## Step 3: key rules to decide | Decision | Consider | | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Cost to found a town | High enough to avoid spam towns | | Claim cost and upkeep | Controls growth and land hoarding | | Nation requirements | Minimum towns or players | | Spawn and travel | Town spawn rules and teleport costs | | PvP and wars | Off, limited or full conflict. Publish the rules | | Economy sources and sinks | See [Planning an Economy That Lasts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/planning-minecraft-server-economy-that-lasts) | Common player commands include `/town new `, `/town claim`, `/town add `, `/nation new ` and `/plot claim`. Run `/towny` for help on your version. ## Step 4: lore and roleplay Nations servers work best with a setting. Write rules for naming, diplomacy and conflict, and run regular events. See [Roleplay SMP Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/roleplay-smp-setup-lore-whitelist-voice-chat) and [Seasonal Events](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/running-minecraft-server-seasonal-events). ## Step 5: add supporting plugins | Need | Option | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Tablist and scoreboard | [TAB Plugin Config](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/tab-plugin-tablist-scoreboard-setup) | | Chat tags for nations | [EternalTags](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-plugin-setup-guide) | | Shops | [ChestShop](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/chestshop-player-shops-setup) | | Web map of borders | [BlueMap](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/bluemap-web-map-setup) | | Discord | [DiscordSRV](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/discordsrv-chat-bridge-setup) | | Anti-cheat | [Anti-Cheat Comparison](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-anticheat-plugins-compared) | ## Step 6: moderate fairly Disputes about land and wars are common. Use logs and a clear process. See [Staff Training Checklist](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-staff-onboarding), [Ban Appeal Process](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-ban-appeal-process) and [Discord Ticket Systems](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-discord-ticket-workflow). ## Step 7: test and launch 1. Create a test town and nation with normal accounts. 2. Test claims, upkeep, taxes and removing a town. 3. Test protection against griefing and explosions. 4. Run [spark](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-read-spark-profiler-minecraft) with several players. 5. Take backups. See [Backup Strategy](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-backup-strategy). ## Frequently asked questions **What plugin do nations servers use?** Towny is the most common. Other plugins exist, so compare. **Can I run Towny with Skyblock?** It is built for land claims on a shared map, so it suits SMPs better. **How do I stop town spam?** Raise the founding cost and use requirements. **Do I need an economy?** Yes, for upkeep and trade. **Can I get a custom nations setup built?** Yes. See [Custom Minecraft Server Development](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-minecraft-development). ## Related reading - [Vanilla-Plus SMP Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vanilla-plus-smp-setup-hermitcraft-style) - [Best Minecraft Server Plugins by Category](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/best-minecraft-plugins-by-category) ## Continue reading - [How to Make a Lifesteal SMP Server: Plugins, Setup, Rules](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/how-to-make-a-lifesteal-smp-server) - [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) - [Minecraft SMP Season Reset Checklist and Player Trust](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-season-reset-guide) [ Previous guide Vanilla-Plus SMP Setup: A Hermitcraft-Style Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vanilla-plus-smp-setup-hermitcraft-style)[ Next guide Hypixel-Style Network Setup: Lobby, Minigames and Ranks](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/hypixel-style-network-setup-lobby-minigames)