The game mode

Minecraft Manhunt

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.

What is Minecraft Manhunt?

Minecraft Manhunt, also known as Speedrunner vs Hunter, is a competitive multiplayer game mode where one or morerunners try to beat Minecraft by killing the Ender Dragon while a team ofhunters tries to kill them first. Hunters carry atracking 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 invite and 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+)

mcmanhunt.com
  1. Open Minecraft Java Edition 1.21+ and go to Multiplayer → Add Server.
  2. Enter mcmanhunt.com as the server address and join.
  3. 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).
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.