How to Play Factions in Minecraft (2026)

Short answer: To play Factions in Minecraft, you join a factions server, create or join a faction (a team), claim land, build a base, make money and raid other factions with TNT cannons. The richest factions compete on F-Top. On Complex Factions (hub.mc-complex.com), new players should head into the Lightzone early, use /rtp to find a good spot for a base, use spawners from the Lightzone to start an XP farm, and join server events like the daily Warzone and outposts for extra rewards.

What is a Factions server?​

Factions is one of Minecraft's classic multiplayer game modes. You create or join a faction (a team), claim land so only your faction can build there, and protect your base with walls and defenses. Then you make money, build up your base and raid other factions with TNT cannons to take their loot. Seasons reset the map, so everyone gets a fresh start.

Key Factions words to know​

• Claim: land your faction owns. Other players can't build or break blocks there.
• Raid: blowing through another faction's walls with TNT cannons to reach their loot.
• Cannon: a TNT machine used to break through bases.
• Buffer: the defenses around your base that slow raiders down.
• Grace period: the start of a season, when raiding isn't allowed yet.
• F-Top: the leaderboard of the richest factions.
• SOTW: start of the world, the first day of a new season.

Your first day on Complex Factions​

1. Get into the Lightzone: it's the early game meta. Fight there for loot and spawners. Tier unlocks and drop rates are in the Darkzone and Lightzone Guide.
2. Find your base spot with /rtp: teleport around until you find a corner or a good area to build your base.
3. Start an XP farm: use the spawners you get from the Lightzone to build an XP farm at your base.
4. Grab a kit: earn in-game money and buy netherite kits with /kits. Any rank can buy them, so they're fully free to play.
5. Join events: the daily Warzone and outposts give even more rewards.
6. Build before grace ends: there's no raiding for the first 10 days, so use that time to build your defenses.

Grace period timeline​

Every Complex Factions map starts with a grace period, so you have time to set up before anyone can raid you. Type /grace in game to see the live timers.

• First 3 hours: PvP, flight, envoys, the Darkzone and power loss are off.
• After 1 day: the End opens.
• After 2 days: the Raiding Outpost opens.
• After 3 days: the Reset Vault opens.
• After 10 days: TNT turns on, so raiding starts, and Mob Tiers end, so every spawner in /shop unlocks.

Noob or Pro faction?​

On Complex Factions, you choose your faction type when you create it, and you can't switch later.

• Noob factions can only raid other Noob factions, have bigger defense limits and a longer raid shield. They're the best pick for new and casual players.
• Pro factions can only raid other Pro factions and earn double F-Top points, with tighter base limits.

See the full limits in the Factions Rules.

How raiding works​

Raiding opens after the grace period. Factions build TNT cannons, break through enemy walls and defenses, and take what's inside. Every Complex faction gets a raid shield to give it time offline, and both faction types share the same leaderboards and rewards. Learn the full process (raid claims, raid timers, shields and Raid Camps) in How to Raid in Minecraft Factions, and more in the Factions Server Guide and the Vaults and Regions Guide. Every /f command is in the Factions Commands list.

Watch: Factions guides from our creators​

More creator guides: Complex Gaming Creator Video Guides

How to Play Factions FAQ​

How do you play Factions in Minecraft?​

What should I do first on a Factions server?​

Can you play Factions solo?​

How long is a Factions season on Complex?​

Is Complex Factions pay to win?​

Can I play Complex Factions on Bedrock?​

What is Complex Factions?​

When can you raid on Complex Factions?​

What are the basic Factions commands?​