Hounded - Manhunt
Speedrunners vs hunters, with a compass that works in every dimension.
Paper 1.21.4 to 26.2 | Java 21+ | PlaceholderAPI support | Developer API
Requires Paper. It should also work on Paper-based servers such as Purpur. Plain Spigot and Folia are not supported.
Speedrunners vs hunters, with a compass that works in every dimension.
Paper 1.21.4 to 26.2 | Java 21+ | PlaceholderAPI support | Developer API
Requires Paper. It should also work on Paper-based servers such as Purpur. Plain Spigot and Folia are not supported.
What is it?
Runners try to kill the ender dragon while everyone else hunts them down, and Hounded runs the whole round for you.
Why Hounded?
- The compass just works. It updates on its own, with no right-clicking needed. It points at the runner in the Overworld, the Nether and the End. When the runner is in another dimension, it leads hunters to the portal they used.
- Nothing to figure out. Admins get a short start guide the first time they join. Hunters are told how their compass works the moment they get it.
- Make it yours. Every message lives in messages.yml (MiniMessage format), so you can recolour or translate everything. /hounded reload applies config and message changes instantly, without a restart.
- Plays well with others. PlaceholderAPI placeholders for scoreboards and tab lists, plus an events API for developers.
Features
Rounds
- Any number of runners and hunters
- Optional headstart: hunters are frozen and blinded until they are released (both configurable)
- Automatic win detection with the hunt time announced to everyone
- Eliminated runners watch in spectator mode, and get their game mode back when the round ends (configurable)
- Runners who disconnect get time to rejoin before they are out (configurable, default 5 minutes)
- Roles are kept after a round, so you can start the next one straight away
Tracking compass
- Handed to hunters automatically at the start, and again after dying or rejoining
- Cannot be dropped, and is collected when the round ends
- Updates on a timer you choose, or on right-click if you prefer manual mode
- Left-click to switch between runners
- Keeps pointing to where an offline runner was last seen
- Can be switched off in the Nether for hunters
Display
- Boss bar or scoreboard sidebar (or none)
- Headstart countdown, then the hunt timer
- Hunters see how far away their runner is, or which dimension they went to and how far the portal is
Optional rules
- Friendly fire on or off
- Stop runners from attacking hunters
- Both attack rules cover melee, projectiles and harmful potions. Helpful potions always work.
- Freeze hunters while a runner is looking at them (nobody gets hurt)
Requirements
- Paper 1.21.4 to 26.2 (Paper-based servers such as Purpur should also work)
- Not supported: plain Spigot (Hounded uses Paper's API) and Folia
- Java 21 or newer
Installation
- Download the jar and put it in your server's plugins folder.
- Start or restart the server.
- Optional: install PlaceholderAPI to use the placeholders.
Getting started
Code (Text):
/hounded runner add <player>
/hounded hunter add <player>
/hounded start 30
/hounded hunter add <player>
/hounded start 30
Commands
Code (Text):
/hounded runner add|remove <player> Add or remove a runner
/hounded runner list|clear List or clear all runners
/hounded hunter add|remove <player> Add or remove a hunter
/hounded hunter list|clear List or clear all hunters
/hounded start [seconds] Start a round, with an optional headstart
/hounded stop Stop the current round
/hounded compass Get a replacement tracking compass
/hounded reload Reload config.yml and messages.yml
/hounded help Show all commands
/hounded runner list|clear List or clear all runners
/hounded hunter add|remove <player> Add or remove a hunter
/hounded hunter list|clear List or clear all hunters
/hounded start [seconds] Start a round, with an optional headstart
/hounded stop Stop the current round
/hounded compass Get a replacement tracking compass
/hounded reload Reload config.yml and messages.yml
/hounded help Show all commands
- hounded.admin - all admin commands (default: op)
- hounded.compass - /hounded compass (default: everyone). Hunters always get their compass, even without it.
Placeholders
These need PlaceholderAPI, which is optional.
Code (Text):
%hounded_role% The player's role
%hounded_state% The round state
%hounded_timer% Hunt time
%hounded_headstart% Headstart time left
%hounded_distance% Hunters: distance to their target
%hounded_target% Hunters: the runner they are tracking
%hounded_runners_left% Runners still in the round
%hounded_state% The round state
%hounded_timer% Hunt time
%hounded_headstart% Headstart time left
%hounded_distance% Hunters: distance to their target
%hounded_target% Hunters: the runner they are tracking
%hounded_runners_left% Runners still in the round
Hounded fires Bukkit events you can listen to:
- HoundedRoundStartEvent (cancellable): just before a round starts
- HoundedRoleChangeEvent (cancellable): just before a player's role changes
- HoundedRoundWinEvent: a side won
- HoundedRoundStopEvent: an admin stopped the round
- HoundedRoundEndEvent: parent of the two above, for any end
Links and support
- Wiki: setup guide, every config option, FAQ and developer API
- Bug reports and ideas on GitHub
- Source code
- Questions: the discussion tab on this page
Translations
All of Hounded's text is in messages.yml. If you translate it, share it through a translation issue so other servers can use it too.
License
Hounded is open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
Quick facts
- Edition: Minecraft Java
- File type: .jar
- Minecraft versions listed: 1.21, 26.1, 26.2
- How to install: Install the matching mod loader (Forge, Fabric or NeoForge) for your Minecraft version. → Download the .jar. → Put it in the .minecraft/mods folder and launch that loader profile.
- Where to get it: Opens on Spigot — not every file is mirrored on our own servers.
Install steps are the general flow for this file type — How to install Minecraft Java mods & modpacks walks through it step by step.
Hounded - Manhunt is a free Minecraft Java mod. Compatible with Minecraft 1.21, 26.1, 26.2. Available via Spigot. Download it and open it directly in the game.