blood moon

Both are common. Some servers run it every fixed number of nights so you can plan, others use a chance-based trigger so you never fully relax. Most give a clear warning when it starts.

Usually it is more mobs and less breathing room: higher spawn rates, tougher or faster hostiles, and more situations where you get chain-pressured. Many servers also block sleeping so you cannot skip the night.

Not necessarily. Many are plugin-based and feel vanilla-plus, just with event tuning. Some add custom elites or special drops during the night, but others only adjust spawns and damage.

Bunker smart, not brave. Before night, make a sealed shelter with an airlock, extra blocks, food, and a backup tool set. During the event, avoid the surface and open caves, and do not widen fights into places you cannot retreat from.

Most play primarily as PvE because the event is the main threat, but PvP rules fit naturally. The night stretches defenders thin, and the aftermath is a common time for fights when healing and durability are low.

Control and redundancy beat size. Prioritize lighting, a perimeter you can patrol safely, and at least one fallback room. Trenches and choke points are reliable because they reduce surprise angles and let you fight on your terms.