How to Play Skyblock in Minecraft: Beginner's Guide (2026)

Short answer: In Skyblock, you start on a tiny island floating in the sky with very few resources. You build a cobblestone generator for an endless supply of blocks, grow trees and farms, and slowly expand your island into something huge. You can play Skyblock alone with a single-player map, or on a Skyblock server with friends, an economy and extra features. To play on Complex Gaming Skyblock (Java and Bedrock), join hub.mc-complex.com (Bedrock port 19132) and open Skyblock from the compass.

What is Skyblock?​

Skyblock is a Minecraft survival challenge where the whole world is empty sky except for your small starting island. It began as a custom single-player map in 2011 and became one of the most popular ways to play Minecraft, with dedicated Skyblock servers on both Java and Bedrock. The challenge is simple: with only a few blocks, a tree and some starting items, you have to build everything you need and grow your island without falling into the void.

How Skyblock works​

Almost every Skyblock game follows the same loop:

1. Build a cobblestone generator so you never run out of blocks.
2. Plant your sapling and replant every sapling it drops, so you always have wood.
3. Expand your island with cobblestone and dirt to make room for farms.
4. Start farms for food and items to trade or sell.
5. Upgrade and grow until your tiny island becomes a big base.

On a Skyblock server, this loop adds an economy, so the items you produce turn into money, upgrades and a place on the leaderboard.

How to build a cobblestone generator​

A cobblestone generator is the first thing to build in any Skyblock game. It creates a new cobblestone block every time you mine one.

1. Dig a small channel about four blocks long and one block deep.
2. Pour your lava at one end and your water at the other end.
3. Where the flowing lava and flowing water meet, a cobblestone block forms.
4. Mine the cobblestone and a new block appears in the same spot.

Tip: never let flowing water reach the lava source block, or it turns into obsidian and your generator stops working. Keep a one-block gap between the water's flow and the lava source.

Beginner tips for Skyblock​

• Never waste a sapling. Your tree is your only wood supply at the start.
• Build a safety rail around the edge of your island so you don't fall off.
• Expand slowly and carefully. Build bridges with a block under your feet before stepping out.
• Start a farm early for food and something to sell.
• Keep your lava and water safe. Losing either one at the start can end your run.

How to play Skyblock solo​

To play Skyblock on your own, download a Skyblock map from a trusted source and add it to your worlds. On Java, put the map folder in your Minecraft "saves" folder. On Bedrock, Skyblock maps are available on the Minecraft Marketplace. Solo Skyblock is a great way to learn the basics, but it has no economy, no leaderboards and nobody to play with unless you host your own world.

How to play Skyblock on a server​

A Skyblock server gives you your own island plus everything single-player can't: friends on your island, a player economy, minions, upgrades, PvE areas and leaderboards. Here's how to join Complex Gaming Skyblock.
On Java:

1. Open Minecraft Java Edition (1.12.2 through the latest release).
2. Go to Multiplayer, click Add Server and enter hub.mc-complex.com.
3. Join, then open Skyblock with the compass, type /skyblock, or click the Skyblock NPC.

On Bedrock (PC and mobile):

1. Update Minecraft Bedrock Edition to the latest version.
2. Open the Servers tab and click Add Server.
3. Enter hub.mc-complex.com with port 19132, save and join.
4. Open Skyblock with the compass, /skyblock, or the Skyblock NPC.

Java and Bedrock players share the same server and can even play on the same island. Console players on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch are supported too.

Your first steps on Complex Skyblock​

1. Spawn on your island. You start on your own island with lava, water, everything you need to build a cobblestone generator, and a sapling.
2. Build your cobblestone generator. Getting your generator running is the best way to start making money.
3. Complete the rookie tutorial. Finishing it earns you your first minion.
4. Vote for the server. Voting gives you vote crates, which are another way to get minions. Voting every day is one of the fastest ways to get ahead as a new player.
5. Upgrade your island. Open /island upgrades to upgrade your island size, generator, minion slots and member slots.

Growing your island​

• Minions: minions work your island for you and keep producing while you're offline. Add more as you unlock minion slots.
• Play with friends: invite up to 10 players to your island with /is invite.
• Trade and sell: sell items, buy and sell with other players on the auction house, bid in Bid Wars (timed live auctions where the highest bid wins when the timer runs out), and check what anything is worth with /price.
• Gear up: power up your tools and armor with custom enchants and runes.
• PvE: take on the Pharaoh's Tomb for better loot as your gear improves.

How Island Top works​

Your island's value on Island Top comes from the sell portal on your island. Every item you sell through your sell portal adds to your island's value. Every month, the top 10 islands win gift cards to our store, plus free tools and ranks for the next month. It's free to compete, and every island starts climbing from its very first sale.

Useful Skyblock commands​

Learn more​

Server page: Complex Skyblock Server: Java & Bedrock IP and features
Full guide: Complex Gaming Skyblock Server Guide
Playing on Bedrock: Bedrock Skyblock Server: How to Play Skyblock on Bedrock
Coming from Hypixel?: Servers Like Hypixel Skyblock

How to Play Skyblock FAQ​

What is Skyblock in Minecraft?​

Skyblock is a survival challenge where you start on a small island floating in an empty sky and grow it into a big base using a cobblestone generator, trees and farms.

What should I do first in Skyblock?​

Build a cobblestone generator, plant your sapling and build a safety rail around your island. On Complex, finishing the rookie tutorial also gives you your first minion.

How do you make a cobblestone generator?​

Dig a short channel, put lava at one end and water at the other, and cobblestone forms where they meet. Keep water from touching the lava source block, or it turns into obsidian.

Can you play Skyblock on Bedrock?​

Yes. You can download Skyblock maps from the Minecraft Marketplace, or join a Skyblock server like Complex at hub.mc-complex.com on port 19132.

Can you play Skyblock with friends?​

Yes, you can play Skyblock with friends. On Complex, you can invite up to 10 players to your island, and Java and Bedrock players can play on the same island.

Is Skyblock free to play?​

Yes. Complex Skyblock is free to play, and Island Top prizes are open to every island. Ranks and perks on our store are optional.