Minecraft Reign of Nether RTS Mod Guide (July 2025) How to Play

Minecraft Reign of Nether RTS Mod Guide (2025) How to Play

28th June, 2025

I've been playing Minecraft for over a decade, but nothing prepared me for the complete transformation that the Reign of Nether RTS mod brings to the table. Imagine commanding massive armies, building sprawling bases, and conquering your enemies in epic battles – all within the blocky world we know and love. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to play Age of Empires or Warcraft inside Minecraft, this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to master this game-changing mod in 2025.

Table of Contents

What is the Minecraft Reign of Nether RTS Mod?

The Reign of Nether mod transforms Minecraft from a first-person survival sandbox into a full-fledged Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. Drawing inspiration from classic RTS titles like Warcraft, Starcraft, and Age of Empires, this mod combines the creativity of Minecraft with strategic gameplay, allowing players to construct bases, manage resources, and command armies.

Key Features at a Glance

Feature	Description
Top-Down Camera	Press F12 to switch to an isometric RTS view
Three Unique Factions	Villagers, Monsters, and Piglins with distinct playstyles
Resource Management	Gather food, wood, and ore to build your empire
Multiple Game Modes	Classic, Wave Survival, King of the Beacon, and Sandbox
Multiplayer Support	Battle friends with customizable victory conditions
RTS Controls	Box selection, attack-move, control groups, and more

How to Download and Install Minecraft Reign of Nether?

Installing this mod is straightforward, but you'll need to follow these steps carefully:

Requirements

Minecraft Java Edition (1.20.1)
Minecraft Forge (1.20.1 version)
Reign of Nether mod file
Optional: Tutorial map and worldgen datapack

Installation Steps

Download and Install Forge 1.20.1
- Visit the official Forge website
- Run the installer and select "Install Client"
- Ensure your Minecraft launcher is closed during installation
Download the Reign of Nether Mod
- Head to the CurseForge website and search for the Reign of Nether RTS mod
- Download the mod file compatible with Forge 1.20.1
Install the Mod
- Navigate to your Minecraft directory (usually C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft)
- Copy and paste the mod files into the "mods" folder in the root Minecraft directory
- If there's no "mods" folder, create one
Launch Minecraft
- Open the Minecraft launcher
- Select the Forge 1.20.1 profile
- Click "Play" to start with the mod enabled

Server Installation Tips

When installing on a server, it's recommended to use these server.properties settings for optimal performance:

Set render distance to 12 chunks or lower
Disable weather effects
Adjust tick speed for better RTS gameplay

Getting Started: Your First RTS Match

Once you've loaded into a world with the mod installed, here's how to begin your RTS adventure:

Press F12 to enter RTS camera mode (you can also use /rts-camera)
Use the top-right buttons to place your starting workers
Use /rts-help and /rts-controls for a list of commands and controls
Choose your faction and start building!

Recommended Starting Seed

A good seed to use for your first game is: 4756899154123723533, at coordinates: -3000 80 -1000 (this is the same one used for the tutorial map).

The Three Factions: Choose Your Empire

1. Villagers and Illagers Alliance

The desperate alliance of villagers and illagers who have banded together to protect their home against invaders. Villager ingenuity combined with illager militarism make for a formidable army of warriors and spellcasters backed by farmers, builders and craftsmen.

Strengths:

Balanced offense and defense
Versatile unit composition
Strong economy with efficient builders
Powerful spellcasters for support

Best For: Players who prefer a well-rounded strategy with flexible options

2. Monsters Faction

The previously wild and untamed creatures of the overworld now brought together by mysterious forces. This faction includes zombies, skeletons, spiders, and other creatures of the night.

Strengths:

Powerful nighttime abilities
Undead units that can be raised from graveyards
Spider nests for continuous unit production
Fear factor against enemies

Weaknesses:

Monsters shun sunlight and can only safely venture outside at night
Limited daytime effectiveness

Best For: Aggressive players who enjoy night raids and stealth tactics

3. Piglins Empire

Piglins can only build on nether terrain, but wherever they expand the overworld is transformed into a visage of their home, turning grass into nylium and stone into netherrack.

Unique Mechanics:

Territory corruption system
Nether-based building requirements
Expansion-focused gameplay
Transform conquered lands

Best For: Players who enjoy territorial control and expansion strategies

Game Modes: Four Ways to Conquer

🏛️ Classic Mode

The classic RTS experience in FFA or teams. Destroy all of your opponents' buildings to win.

Traditional RTS gameplay
Victory through total domination
Perfect for competitive matches

🏕️ Wave Survival

Survive brutal waves of enemies each night, solo or with allies.

Tower defense elements
Increasingly difficult waves
Cooperative gameplay encouraged

💠 King of the Beacon

Fight for control of a central Beacon. Unlock powerful auras and defend it to win.

Capture and hold objective
Strategic positioning crucial
Beacon provides powerful buffs

🏗️ Sandbox Mode

Build a custom map by freely placing units and buildings

Creative freedom
Map-making tools
Testing strategies

Essential Controls and Commands

Mastering the controls is crucial for success. Here are the most important ones:

Basic Controls

F12: Toggle RTS camera mode
Mouse to screen edges: Pan camera
Left-click: Select units
Right-click: Issue move/attack commands
Box selection: Drag to select multiple units
Double-click: Select all units of the same type on screen
Ctrl + Click: Control-click a unit instead of double-clicking to select all nearby units of the same type

Essential Commands

/rts-help: Display all available commands
/rts-controls: Show control scheme
/rts-fog enable/disable: Toggle fog of war for all players on the server
/rts-camera: Alternative way to toggle RTS mode

Control Groups

Ctrl + Number (1-9): Create control group
Number (1-9): Select control group
Tab/Shift+Tab: Cycle between units and building groups

Resource Management: The Foundation of Victory

Success in Reign of Nether depends on efficient resource management. The mod introduces three primary resources: food, wood, and ore. These resources are important for building your base, training units, and advancing your empire.

Resource Types and Uses

Resource	Primary Sources	Main Uses
Food	Farms, animals	Unit training, worker sustenance
Wood	Trees, lumber camps	Basic buildings, early game structures
Ore	Surface deposits, mines	Advanced units, upgrades, fortifications

Optimization Tips

Strategic Placement: Place resource depots near resource nodes to speed up gathering. This reduces travel time for workers, increasing efficiency.
Worker Balance: Assign workers based on current needs – adjust ratios frequently
Early Game Focus: Prioritize food and wood for rapid expansion
Resource Protection: Build defensive structures near valuable resource nodes

Base Building Strategies

Your base layout can make or break your game. Here's how to build effectively:

Core Principles

Central Hub Design: Place your Town Hall at the heart of your base. This structure serves as the main drop-off for resources and helps streamline worker paths.
Defensive Positioning: Position your Barracks close to the Town Hall for rapid army deployment. Surround your base with walls and watchtowers to defend key structures from enemy attacks.
Expansion Planning: Leave room for growth and additional structures

Building Priority Order

Town Hall (command center)
Resource gathering buildings
Barracks for unit production
Defensive structures
Advanced buildings and upgrades

Combat Tactics: Dominate the Battlefield

Early Game Aggression

Launching early strikes on opponents can disrupt their gathering and slow their progression

Scout enemy positions
Harass resource gatherers
Prevent expansion

Unit Composition

Mix melee and ranged units
Include support units (healers, spellcasters)
Adapt to enemy faction strengths

Advanced Strategies

Control Groups: Organize armies efficiently
Attack-Move: Use for advancing while engaging enemies
Flanking: Attack from multiple directions
Resource Denial: Target enemy workers and resource nodes

Tutorial and Tips for Beginners

Start with the Tutorial

If you're brand new to the RTS genre, you may want to start by playing the single player tutorial. The reign_of_nether_tutorial map included in the downloads will get you started on how to play an RTS game and all the basics of the mod.

Essential Beginner Tips

Never Stop Building Workers: Maintain constant worker production
Scout Early and Often: Information is power
Expand Gradually: Don't overextend your defenses
Learn Hotkeys: Speed is crucial in RTS games
Practice Resource Management: Efficiency wins games

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Neglecting defense while attacking
Hoarding resources instead of spending them
Building too many of one unit type
Forgetting to upgrade units and buildings
Not adapting to enemy strategies

Advanced Features

Fog of War

This means that all chunks not within immediate range of your units and buildings are greyed out, and all mobs and block updates are not seen until you go to explore them. While experimental and potentially performance-impacting, it adds strategic depth.

Worldgen Datapack Benefits

The optional datapack provides:

No caves or underground structures, to prevent your units falling in holes
Ores generated on the surface, so that workers can gather them
4x normal tick speed for farming and tree decay
Optimized biome generation for RTS gameplay

Multiplayer Strategies

Playing with friends adds new dimensions to the game:

Team Tactics

Coordinate attacks for maximum impact
Share resources during emergencies
Specialize roles (one player focuses on economy, another on military)
Communicate constantly

Victory Conditions

The game ends when all but one player is defeated, which happens when their buildings are destroyed or they surrender. Plan accordingly and protect your structures!

Performance Optimization

For the best experience:

Reduce Render Distance: Set to 12 chunks or lower
Disable Optifine: Known to cause compatibility issues
Allocate More RAM: RTS gameplay can be demanding
Close Background Applications: Maximize available resources

Community and Resources

Official Resources

Join the official Discord server for tips and multiplayer matches
Check CurseForge for updates and patch notes
Download custom maps from the community

Frequently Asked Questions

What version of Minecraft do I need?

Download and install the Forge for the game version 1.20.1. The mod is currently optimized for this version.

Can I play this mod in single-player?

Yes! While multiplayer is where the mod truly shines, you can enjoy single-player matches against AI or practice in Sandbox mode.

How do I switch between RTS and normal Minecraft mode?

Simply press F12 to toggle between the RTS camera and first-person view. You can seamlessly switch between both modes during gameplay.

Is this mod compatible with other mods?

Generally yes, but avoid Optifine as it's known to cause issues. Most content mods work fine alongside Reign of Nether.

How many players can play together?

The mod supports multiple players, with servers accommodating various match sizes. The exact limit depends on server specifications.

Can I create custom maps?

Absolutely! Sandbox mode allows you to create custom maps and scenarios for others to play.

Why can't my Monster units go out during the day?

Monsters shun sunlight and can only safely venture outside at night. This is a faction-specific limitation that adds strategic depth.

What's the best faction for beginners?

The Villager faction offers the most balanced gameplay, making it ideal for newcomers to RTS games.

How do I report bugs or suggest features?

Visit the mod's CurseForge page or join the official Discord server to report issues and share suggestions.

Can I use this mod for content creation?

Yes! The mod creator encourages content creation. Just be sure to credit the mod appropriately.

Conclusion

The Reign of Nether RTS mod completely revolutionizes how we play Minecraft, transforming it from a sandbox survival game into an epic strategy battlefield. Whether you're commanding the united forces of Villagers and Illagers, unleashing hordes of monsters under cover of darkness, or expanding your Piglin empire across corrupted lands, this mod offers endless strategic possibilities.

From my experience, mastering this mod takes time and practice, but the payoff is incredible. Start with the tutorial, experiment with different factions, and don't be afraid to lose – each defeat teaches valuable lessons. Soon, you'll be orchestrating complex strategies, managing resources like a pro, and conquering your enemies in spectacular fashion.

Ready to transform your Minecraft world into an RTS battleground? Download the mod, gather your friends, and prepare for warfare like you've never experienced in Minecraft before. The realm awaits your command!