ChallengeUtil - Advanced Speedrunning & Challenge Plugin

Platform: Minecraft 1.21.11 (Paper/Spigot)
Dependencies: PlaceholderAPI (optional, for team chat prefixes)

Overview

ChallengeUtil is a comprehensive Minecraft plugin designed for speedrunning servers and challenge gamemodes. It features instant world resets (~30 seconds, no server restart!), a built-in timer system, multiple game modes, and various challenge mechanics to create unique and engaging gameplay experiences.

Perfect for Velocity/BungeeCord proxy networks - players stay connected during world regeneration!

Key Features

Instant World Reset System

10-20 second world regeneration without server restart
Holodeck Strategy: Players are smoothly transferred to a waiting room while the speedrun world regenerates
Random seed generation for each reset
Proxy-friendly: Full Velocity/BungeeCord support with auto-reconnect
No disconnections: Players remain connected throughout the entire reset process
Async world deletion: Zero lag during world regeneration

Advanced Timer System

Real-time timer display above the hotbar (action bar)
Format: HH:MM:SS with visual indicators
Color-coded states:
- Light Purple when running
- Red with pause symbol (⏸) when paused
Start, pause, reset, and resume functionality
Persistent through pause/resume cycles
PlaceholderAPI support for external plugins

Multiple Game Modes

Manhunt Mode
Classic speedrunner vs hunters gameplay:

Runner Team: 1+ speedrunners trying to defeat the Ender Dragon
Hunter Team: 1+ hunters trying to stop the runners
Tracking Compass: Hunters receive a compass that tracks the nearest runner
Team Protection: Friendly fire protection within teams (configurable)
Spectator Mode: Spectators can watch without interfering
Dynamic Spawning: Hunters spawn 10 minutes after /start for balanced gameplay

Team Race Mode
Competitive team-based speedrunning:

2-10 Teams: Customizable team count with German names and colors
Available Teams: Rot, Blau, Grün, Gelb, Lila, Aqua, Weiß, Orange, Pink, Grau
Team Tracking Compass: Each team tracks the nearest enemy team member
Color-coded UI: Team names appear in their respective colors
Win Condition: First team to defeat the Ender Dragon wins
Scoreboard Integration: Real-time team tracking and status

Challenge Modes

Chunk Items Challenge

Receive random items when entering new chunks
Player-specific: Different players get different items from the same chunk
Persistent: Each chunk gives the same item to a player on re-entry
Manhunt Integration: Hunters receive items only after 10 minutes
Configurable Exclusions: Customize which items can drop
Default Exclusions: Overpowered items (Elytra, Netherite gear, Totems) excluded by default

Friendly Fire = OP Items Challenge
Damage teammates, get rewards:

Damage Sync: Both attacker and victim take the same damage
No Natural Regen: Natural health regeneration disabled
Health-Based Rewards: Lower health = better items
- 80-100% HP: Basic items (Golden Apples, Arrows, Iron)
- 50-79% HP: Medium items (Diamonds, Enchanted Iron gear)
- 25-49% HP: Strong items (Diamond gear with Sharpness V, Totems)
- 1-24% HP: Extremely OP items (Netherite, fully enchanted diamond gear, multiple totems)
Team Integration: Works with both Manhunt and Team Race modes

Advanced Configuration

Dual-World System

Waiting Room: Lobby world where players wait during resets (peaceful, frozen time)
Speedrun World: Main world that gets regenerated with new seeds
Automatic Gamerule Management: Different gamerules for each world
Smart Teleportation: Surface-detection spawn system

World Generation Settings

World types: NORMAL, FLAT, LARGE_BIOMES, AMPLIFIED
Structure generation toggle
Configurable difficulty
Random or fixed seed generation
Custom spawn coordinates

Proxy Integration

Full BungeeCord/Velocity support
Auto-reconnect during world resets
Configurable server names
Companion proxy plugin included

Commands

Main Commands

Command	Aliases	Description	Permission
`/start`	-	Start or resume the timer	`challenge.start`
`/pause`	-	Pause the timer	`challenge.pause`
`/reset`	-	Reset timer only (no world reset)	`challenge.reset`
`/fullreset`	`/resetworld`, `/worldreset`	Holodeck reset - regenerate world instantly (3-5 sec)	`challenge.fullreset`
`/join`	`/play`, `/go`	Join the speedrun world from waiting room	`challenge.join`
`/settings`	`/config`, `/cfg`	Open settings GUI (waiting room only)	`challenge.settings`
`/team <name>`	-	Join a team (Manhunt or Team Race)	`challenge.team`

Team Command Examples
Manhunt Mode:

/team runner - Join the runner team
/team hunter - Join the hunter team
/team spectator - Join spectators

Team Race Mode:

/team - List all available teams and member counts
/team Rot - Join Team Rot (Red)
/team Blau - Join Team Blau (Blue)
/team Grün - Join Team Grün (Green)
etc.

Permissions

Main Permissions

Permission	Description	Default
`challenge.host`	Master permission - grants all admin commands	OP
`challenge.start`	Start/resume the timer	OP
`challenge.pause`	Pause the timer	OP
`challenge.reset`	Reset timer only	OP
`challenge.fullreset`	Execute Holodeck reset (world regeneration)	OP
`challenge.settings`	Open settings GUI	OP
`challenge.join`	Join speedrun world from waiting room	True (all players)
`challenge.team`	Join teams in Manhunt/Team Race	True (all players)
`challenge.*`	Grant all permissions	OP

Permission Hierarchy
The challenge.host permission includes:

challenge.start
challenge.pause
challenge.reset
challenge.fullreset
challenge.settings

Host Control Features

Players with the challenge.host permission receive special tools:

Host Control Item

Enchanted Nether Star automatically given on join
Right-click to open Host Control GUI
Quick access to all host commands without typing

Host Control GUI
Interactive menu with three options:

Start Challenge (Green Wool) - Executes /start
Settings (Comparator) - Opens /settings GUI
⚠ FULL RESET ⚠ (Barrier) - Executes /fullreset with warning

Configuration

The plugin features extensive configuration through config.yml:

Proxy Settings

proxy:
  lobby-server: lobby1          # Lobby server name in proxy config
  this-server-name: challenge1  # This server's name in proxy config

World Settings

world:
  waiting-room: waiting_room       # Fallback world (lobby)
  speedrun-world: speedrun_world   # World that gets regenerated
  
  generation:
    type: NORMAL                   # NORMAL, FLAT, LARGE_BIOMES, AMPLIFIED
    generate-structures: true
    random-seed: true
  
  difficulty: NORMAL               # PEACEFUL, EASY, NORMAL, HARD
  
  teleport:
    waiting-room-spawn:
      x: 0
      y: 65
      z: 0
    speedrun-spawn:
      x: 0
      y: 100  # Auto-finds surface
      z: 0

Gamerules
Separate gamerule configurations for waiting room (peaceful, frozen time) and speedrun world (normal gameplay).

Challenge Settings

challenge:
  allow-respawn: true  # false = hardcore mode (spectator on death)
  
  chunk_items:
    excluded:  # Items to exclude from random rewards
      # - DIAMOND
      # - EMERALD
  
  friendly_fire_item:
    enabled: false  # Toggle via GUI

PlaceholderAPI Integration (optional)

Available Placeholders

Placeholder	Description	Example Output
`%ch_prefix%`	Team prefix with color	`[RUNNER]`, `[HUNTER]`, `[Red]`
`%ch_suffix%`	Team suffix (reserved)	-
`%ch_team%`	Raw team name	`runner`, `hunter`, `Rot`
`%ch_team_color%`	Legacy team color code	`§d`, `§6`, `§c`

Usage Example
EssentialsX Chat:

format: '{ch_prefix}{DISPLAYNAME}{ch_suffix}§r: {MESSAGE}'

Game Modes Comparison

Mode Compatibility Matrix

Feature	Manhunt	Team Race	Solo
Timer System	✅	✅	✅
Instant Reset	✅	✅	✅
Team System	✅	✅	❌
Tracking Compass	✅ (Hunters only)	✅ (All teams)	❌
Chunk Items Challenge	✅	✅	✅
Friendly Fire Challenge	✅	✅	❌
Multiple Teams	❌ (2 teams)	✅ (2-10 teams)	❌
Can Run Simultaneously	❌	❌	✅

Note: Manhunt and Team Race cannot be enabled simultaneously.

Technical Details

Performance

Reset Time: 10-30 seconds typical
World Deletion: Async (non-blocking)
World Creation: Sync (main thread, optimized)
Timer Updates: Every second (20 ticks)
Compass Updates: Every second (20 ticks)

Installation

Basic Installation

Download ChallengeUtil.jar
Place in your server's plugins folder
Configure server.properties:
```
level-name=waiting_room
```
Restart your server
Configure plugins/ChallengeUtil/config.yml
Reload or restart

Optional: PlaceholderAPI

Install PlaceholderAPI from SpigotMC
Restart server
Placeholders automatically register
Use in chat plugins (EssentialsX, ChatControl, etc.)

Usage Examples

Basic Speedrun Setup

Server starts with players in waiting room
Admin: /settings - Configure challenge settings
Players: /join - Enter speedrun world
Admin: /start - Begin timer
Players: Complete speedrun
Admin: /fullreset - Instant 3-5 second reset for next run

Manhunt Setup

Enable Manhunt mode in /settings > Challenges
Players join teams:
- /team runner (speedrunners)
- /team hunter (hunters)
Admin: /start
Runners get 10-minute head start
Hunters spawn and receive tracking compass
First team to defeat Ender Dragon wins

Team Race Setup

Enable Team Race in /settings > Challenges
Players: /team to see available teams
Players join teams: /team Rot, /team Blau, etc.
Admin: /start
All teams receive tracking compasses
Race to defeat the Ender Dragon
First team wins!

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Waiting room not found"

Verify level-name=waiting_room in server.properties
Ensure waiting room world folder exists

Slow resets (>60 seconds)

Use Paper instead of Spigot
Use SSD instead of HDD
Reduce world size/pregenerate less
Check server TPS

Players fall into void

Increase speedrun-spawn.y to 120+ in config.yml
Plugin auto-finds surface, but high Y helps

Same seed every reset

Set random-seed: false in config.yml

Compass not working

Ensure players are in the same dimension
Check that target players are online
Verify team assignments with /team

Chat prefixes not showing

Install PlaceholderAPI
Check if expansion is registered: /papi list
Reload PlaceholderAPI: /papi reload
Verify chat plugin configuration

Perfect For

Speedrunning Servers: Instant resets for practice or races
Challenge Servers: Unique gameplay mechanics
Manhunt Servers: Classic hunter vs speedrunner
Team Competition: Multi-team races
Practice Servers: Quick reset for skill improvement
Content Creation: Streamers and YouTubers
Proxy Networks: Multiple parallel speedrun instances

License

MIT License - Free to use for any server!

**Why Choose ChallengeUtil?
**
Instant Resets - 10-30 seconds, no server restart
Unique Challenges - Chunk Items, Friendly Fire
Proxy Optimized - Perfect for networks
Highly Configurable - Customize everything
PlaceholderAPI - Full integration
Performance Focused - Optimized and tested
User-Friendly - GUI-based configuration
Active Development - Regular updates

Built with ❤️ for the Minecraft speedrunning community

Download now and revolutionize your speedrunning server!

ChallengeUtil

📖About ChallengeUtil