The game mode
Minecraft Manhunt: How to Play Speedrunner vs Hunter
One side races to slay the Ender Dragon. The other side hunts them down with tracking compasses. Here’s how Minecraft Manhunt works, and how to play it online, free, in under a minute on MCManhunt.
Minecraft Manhunt: quick guide
Since 2020, MCManhunt has operated a Minecraft Manhunt network. In Manhunt, speedrunners try to defeat the Ender Dragon while hunters use tracking compasses to find and stop them. MCManhunt provides public matchmaking and party games on Minecraft Java Edition 1.21+.
| Server address | mcmanhunt.com |
|---|---|
| Edition | Minecraft Java Edition 1.21+ |
| Access | Free to play; no whitelist or client mods required. |
| Goal | Runners defeat the Ender Dragon; hunters eliminate the runners first. |
| Tracking | Hunters use a server-provided tracking compass. |
| Format | Hunters versus speedrunners, with optional twists and party settings. |
About MCManhunt and its history · Guide reviewed 7 October 2026
McManhunt Server - How to Play
A creator-channel introduction to joining MCManhunt and its game selection. Use the written Manhunt rules on this page for the current runner and hunter objectives.
Created by OtentaMC. Published by MCManhunt. Watch on YouTube
How to play Minecraft Manhunt
- Join MCManhunt. Open Minecraft Java Edition 1.21 or newer, choose Multiplayer, and add mcmanhunt.com.
- Select Manhunt. Choose Manhunt from the lobby game selector and join a queue or party.
- Check your role. Read the team assignment and active settings before the chase begins.
- Play your objective. As a runner, gather resources and reach the Ender Dragon. As a hunter, follow your tracking compass and stop the runners.
Dream's Manhunt: our inspiration
Dream's Minecraft Manhunt series inspired MCManhunt. Watch the runner-versus-hunter format in his own series, then try the chase yourself on our server.
Minecraft Speedrunner VS 5 Hunters REMATCH
Dream attempts to beat Minecraft while five hunters try to stop him in this Manhunt rematch. This video was not recorded on MCManhunt; Dream's Manhunt series inspired our server's runner-versus-hunter gameplay.
Created by Dream. Published by Dream. Watch on YouTube
Creators playing MCManhunt
Watch public matches from independent creators. Their videos reflect the rules and menus at the time of recording.
Playing minecraft manhunt with randoms
Zylenox takes the speedrunner role against public players, with play.mcmanhunt.com identified in the video description. This 2021 gameplay shows the public-match format; use the written guide for today's rules and supported client version.
Created by zylenox. Published by zylenox. Watch on YouTube
Minecraft Manhunt ama RASTGELE Oyunculara KARŞI...
YusufTe attempts to finish Minecraft while random players try to stop him, and the description identifies play.mcmanhunt.com as the server. This Turkish-language video was published in 2022 and opens here at the selected 10:56 point.
Created by YusufTe. Published by YusufTe. Watch on YouTube
Clutch highlights
Minecraft Minecart Boost Clutch
A minecart escape depends on access to the vehicle and a route that creates separation from the pursuer. This 2024 clip is a historical example to study, rather than a guarantee that its setup works with every current game setting.
Created by MCManhunt. Published by MCManhunt. Watch on YouTube
TNT fishing rod clutch on MCManhunt
This TNT fishing rod clutch combines explosive timing with fishing-rod control to create an escape opportunity. The 2022 clip displays Java 1.17/1.18, so treat it as historical footage and use the current Java requirements listed above.
Created by MCManhunt. Published by MCManhunt. Watch on TikTok
Minecraft Manhunt at a glance
| Also known as | Speedrunner vs Hunter |
|---|---|
| Runner’s goal | Beat the game — kill the Ender Dragon |
| Hunters’ goal | Kill the runner first |
| Hunters’ tool | A compass tracking the runner |
| Head start | Hunters frozen for 10 seconds |
| Runner dies | The run ends (classic ruleset) |
| Hunter dies | Respawns, keeps their inventory |
| Typical match | 1–3 hours |
| Smallest format | 1v1 |
| Where to play | mcmanhunt.com — Java Edition 1.21+, free |
What is Minecraft Manhunt?
Minecraft Manhunt, also known as Speedrunner vs Hunter, is a competitive multiplayer game mode where one or more runners try to beat Minecraft by killing the Ender Dragon while a team of hunters tries to kill them first. Hunters carry a tracking compass that points at the runner’s location, so the chase never lets up. The runners win the moment the dragon falls; the hunters win if they take the runner down before that happens. In the classic format hunters respawn freely while the runner does not. One mistake ends the run.
The format was popularized by Dream, whose Manhunt videos racked up billions of views and turned the chase into one of Minecraft’s most-watched game modes. Recreating it yourself normally means a private server, a tracking datapack, and friends online at the same time. MCManhunt removes all of that: it’s a public Minecraft Manhunt server that matchmakes hunters and runners automatically, around the clock. Just join and play.
How a Manhunt match works on MCManhunt
Queue from the lobby and the server builds the match for you (teams, compasses, and a fresh survival world). No mods, no datapacks, nothing to install: everything runs server-side on Minecraft Java Edition 1.21+.
- Runner head start. Hunters are frozen for the first 10 seconds of the match, giving the runner a window to sprint, grab wood, and disappear.
- Compass tracking. Every hunter carries a tracking compass that updates automatically. When the runner is in another dimension, it points to the nearest portal leading toward them.
- Asymmetric respawns. Hunters respawn when killed; in the classic format the runner’s first death ends the game. Custom settings and twists can change the respawn rules.
- Party system. Group up with
/party inviteand queue together. Your whole party lands in the same game. - Instant matchmaking. No waiting for a friend to host: solo players are matched into games automatically, day and night, on EU and NA servers.
Want the full rulebook (win conditions, what each side is allowed to do, and every edge case)? Read Minecraft Manhunt rules explained.
Manhunt game modes & twists
Classic Manhunt is only the start. MCManhunt runs the format in solo, duo, and team variants, plus twists that remix the rules. Infection turns slain runners into hunters, Lucky Block floods the world with random loot, SwapHunt teleports the teams into each other’s shoes, and more. These guides go deep on each part of the format:
Beyond Manhunt itself, the network runs Hitman, Death Swap, Block Shuffle, Bingo, Speedrun, Lava Rises and more. See all MCManhunt game modes.
How to join the Manhunt server
Server IP (Java Edition 1.21+)
- Open Minecraft Java Edition 1.21+ and go to Multiplayer → Add Server.
- Enter mcmanhunt.com as the server address and join.
- Pick Manhunt (or any other mode) in the lobby and queue. You’ll be in a game within moments.
play.mcmanhunt.com also works, and eu.mcmanhunt.com / na.mcmanhunt.com connect you directly to the regional servers for the lowest ping. It’s free, no whitelist, no application. Bedrock Edition is not supported yet.
Minecraft Manhunt FAQ
- What is the Minecraft Manhunt server IP?
- The Minecraft Manhunt server IP is mcmanhunt.com (play.mcmanhunt.com also works). Add it on Java Edition 1.21+ and queue for a Manhunt match from the lobby.
- Is Minecraft Manhunt free?
- Yes, MCManhunt is completely free to play, with no whitelist and no application. Optional ranks and cosmetics support the server, but you never need them to play.
- What Minecraft version do I need?
- Minecraft Java Edition 1.21 or newer. Bedrock Edition is not supported yet (support is planned).
- How long does a Manhunt game take?
- Usually 1 to 3 hours. The match ends when the runner beats the game or dies, not on a clock, so skill and hunter count matter more than any timer. The hard time limit starts at 2.5 hours and scales up to 8 hours at the highest rank.
- Can I play Manhunt with friends?
- Yes, everyone joins mcmanhunt.com, then one person runs /party invite <username>. When the party leader queues, the whole party lands in the same Manhunt game.
- Is this the Manhunt server Dream plays?
- MCManhunt is not affiliated with Dream. It’s the largest public server running the Manhunt format he popularized. Anyone can join and play the same hunters-vs-runner chase, no famous friends required.
Ready for the chase? Add mcmanhunt.com on Java Edition 1.21+ and queue for a Manhunt, or vote for free gems first.