Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about AbyssalDetention, covering gameplay, features, troubleshooting, and server policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ! These are the most commonly asked questions from new and experienced players alike. If you can't find your answer here, check our other wiki sections or contact staff for assistance.
Getting Started Questions
Q: How do I join the server?
A: Connect to play.abyssaldetention.com using Minecraft Java Edition. The server supports versions 1.20.4 and newer. When you first join, you'll be prompted to download our custom resource pack - make sure to accept it for the full experience!
Q: Do I need to download anything special?
A: The only requirement is our custom resource pack, which should download automatically when you join. If it doesn't auto-download due to client permission settings, you can get it manually from our Discord server. No other mods or downloads are required.
Q: What version of Minecraft do I need?
A: We support Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.4 and newer versions. Bedrock Edition is not supported. We recommend using the latest stable version for the best experience.
Q: Is this server free to play?
A: Absolutely! AbyssalDetention is completely free to play with no pay-to-win mechanics. All content is accessible through gameplay. Optional donations support server development but provide only cosmetic benefits.
Q: I'm completely new to prison servers. Where do I start?
A: Start with our Getting Started Guide and visit the Tutorial Center at spawn. Join our Discord community, read the server rules, and don't hesitate to ask questions in chat - our community loves helping newcomers!
New Player Support:
Don't be overwhelmed! Focus on mining, basic survival, and creating your first land claim. Everything else can be learned gradually as you play.
Gameplay Questions
Q: How do I make money on the server?
A: The primary money-making method is mining ores and selling them. Use /sellall to sell everything in your inventory or /sell hand for specific items. You can also:
- Start a player shop business
- Complete daily voting rewards
- Choose a job specialty for bonus income
- Trade with other players
- Participate in server events
Q: What are custom ores and why do I need the resource pack?
A: Custom ores are unique materials beyond vanilla Minecraft ores, like Crimson Ore, Abyssal Stone, and Prismatic Shards. The resource pack is essential because without it, these valuable ores appear as generic stone blocks, and you'll miss out on discovering rare, profitable materials.
Q: How do land claims work?
A: Land claims protect your builds from grief and theft. Use /claim tool to get a golden shovel, then right-click two opposite corners to create a protected area. You start with 1,000 claim blocks and earn 100 more per hour played. Use /trust <player> to allow friends access to your claim.
Q: How do I rank up?
A: Ranking requires balanced progress across multiple areas:
- Mining: Collect ores and develop mining skills
- Economy: Earn money through various methods
- Playtime: Consistent server activity
- Community: Help others and maintain positive behavior
Check /rank to see your current progress and requirements for the next rank.
Q: What are minions and how do I get them?
A: Minions are automated workers that gather resources while you're offline. You can purchase them from the Minion Shop at spawn once you reach appropriate ranks. They require fuel and maintenance but provide passive income. Start with basic mining minions and upgrade as you progress.
Technical Questions
Q: The resource pack didn't download automatically. What do I do?
A: This usually happens due to Minecraft client permissions. Try these solutions:
- Check your firewall and antivirus settings
- Join our Discord and download the pack manually from #resource-pack
- Ensure Minecraft has permission to download files
- Try connecting from a different network
- Contact staff if problems persist
Q: I'm experiencing lag or poor performance. How can I improve it?
A: Try these optimization steps:
- Lower your render distance to 8-12 chunks
- Reduce graphics settings (particles, animations)
- Allocate more RAM to Minecraft (6-8GB recommended)
- Close other programs while playing
- Use Optifine for performance improvements
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection
Q: Can I use mods on the server?
A: These mods are allowed:
- Optifine - Performance and visual improvements
- Minimap mods - Navigation aids (no player/mob radar)
- Inventory management - Sorting and organization tools
- JEI/REI - Recipe and item information
Prohibited mods include x-ray, fly hacks, auto-clickers, and any modifications that provide unfair advantages.
Q: I lost my items due to a bug/glitch. Can staff help?
A: Staff may assist with item recovery in cases of confirmed server bugs or glitches. Provide screenshots, detailed explanation of what happened, and use /helpop or create a support ticket. However, items lost due to player error (falls, lava, etc.) typically cannot be recovered.
Economy and Trading Questions
Q: How do player shops work?
A: Player shops use chest-based signs with this format:
[SHOP]
<quantity>
B <buy_price> : S <sell_price>
<item_name>
You need a shop license (costs vary by rank) and a plot in a commercial area. Stock the chest behind the sign with items, and players can buy/sell automatically.
Q: What's the auction house and how do I use it?
A: The auction house (/ah) is a server-wide bidding system. You can list items for auction with starting bids and duration settings. Other players bid on items, and the highest bidder wins. It's great for selling rare items or finding unique materials.
Q: Are there any items I can't trade or sell?
A: Generally, all legitimate items can be traded. However:
- Items obtained through exploits may be removed
- Some quest or achievement items might be account-bound
- Staff-given items for specific purposes may have restrictions
- Real money trading (RMT) is strictly prohibited and results in permanent bans
Q: How does the banking system work?
A: Banks provide secure storage for money beyond your personal balance limit, offer interest on savings (2% monthly), and provide loans for major purchases. Visit the bank at spawn or use /bank commands to manage your account.
Rules and Policies Questions
Q: What happens if I break a rule?
A: AbyssalDetention uses a progressive punishment system:
- First offense: Warning and education
- Second offense: Formal written warning
- Third offense: Temporary punishment (mute, kick, short ban)
- Continued violations: Escalating punishments up to permanent ban
Severity affects punishment level - serious violations may skip steps.
Q: Can I appeal a ban or punishment?
A: Yes! You can appeal through our forum at forum.abyssaldetention.com or Discord ticket system. Wait at least 24 hours before appealing, include all required information, take responsibility for your actions, and show understanding of why the rule exists.
Q: Is griefing allowed anywhere on the server?
A: No, griefing is prohibited everywhere. This includes:
- Destroying others' builds
- Stealing from unlocked containers
- Placing inappropriate blocks
- Sabotaging community projects Always use land claims to protect your builds and respect others' property.
Q: Can I have multiple accounts?
A: No, only one account per person is allowed. Family members may play on the same IP with staff approval. Account sharing, trading, or selling is prohibited. You are responsible for all actions on your account.
Rule Clarification:
When in doubt about whether something is allowed, ask staff before doing it. It's better to ask than risk punishment for unclear situations.
Community Questions
Q: How do I join the Discord community?
A: Use /discord in-game to get the invite link, or visit discord.abyssaldetention.com. Link your Minecraft account for rank synchronization and access to all channels. The Discord community is essential for getting help, making friends, and staying informed about server updates.
Q: Are there regular events on the server?
A: Yes! We host regular events including:
- Weekly competitions - Mining contests, building challenges, PvP tournaments
- Seasonal festivals - Holiday celebrations with special rewards
- Community projects - Large collaborative building efforts
- Social events - Movie nights, game tournaments, community meetings
Check Discord announcements and in-game notifications for upcoming events.
Q: How can I help new players?
A: There are many ways to contribute:
- Answer questions in chat when you see newcomers asking
- Offer starter items or materials to help them get established
- Give tours of spawn areas and important locations
- Share your knowledge about efficient mining and money-making
- Apply for the official mentor program to be paired with new players
Q: Can I become staff?
A: Staff applications are reviewed monthly when positions are available. Requirements typically include:
- Active community member for 3+ months
- Clean punishment record
- Positive community reputation
- Mature, helpful behavior
- Regular activity and availability
Check Discord #staff-applications for current openings and detailed requirements.
Advanced Questions
Q: What's the prestige system?
A: The prestige system allows continued progression beyond maximum ranks. After reaching Chief Warden, you can choose specialization paths:
- Mining Prestige - Advanced mining techniques and exclusive areas
- Economic Prestige - Market influence and financial tools
- Community Prestige - Social leadership and server influence
Prestige requires completing special challenges and maintaining community standing.
Q: How do I set up automated systems with minions?
A: Advanced automation requires:
- Multiple minions - Different types for various resources
- Upgrade modules - Speed, storage, and efficiency improvements
- Network connections - Link minions for resource sharing
- Management systems - Organize collection and distribution
Start simple with one or two basic minions and expand gradually as you learn the systems.
Q: Are there any limits on building or claim sizes?
A: Claim limits depend on your rank and available claim blocks. Building limits include:
- No massive laggy structures - Avoid redstone contraptions that strain server performance
- Theme appropriate - Builds should fit the prison server aesthetic
- Respectful placement - Don't block important pathways or areas
- Cleanup requirements - Remove temporary or abandoned structures when requested
Q: How does the collection system track my progress?
A: Collections automatically track every item you've obtained, with permanent records that never reset. Progress unlocks milestone rewards, titles, and special privileges. Use /collections to view your progress and /collections claim to collect available rewards.
Troubleshooting Questions
Q: I can't connect to the server. What should I check?
A: Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check server status - Visit Discord for outage announcements
- Verify connection - Ensure you're using
play.abyssaldetention.com - Test network - Try connecting to other servers or websites
- Restart client - Close and reopen Minecraft completely
- Clear DNS cache - Flush DNS resolver cache on your computer
- Contact support - If problems persist, create a support ticket
Q: My commands aren't working. What's wrong?
A: Command issues usually stem from:
- Insufficient permissions - Check if your rank has access to the command
- Incorrect syntax - Use
/help <command>for proper format - Cooldown periods - Some commands have waiting periods between uses
- Location restrictions - Certain commands only work in specific areas
- Plugin conflicts - Server issues may temporarily disable features
Q: I think I found a bug. How do I report it?
A: Report bugs through:
- Forum bug reports - forum.abyssaldetention.com for detailed documentation
- Discord #bug-reports - For quick reports and community verification
- In-game
/bug- Immediate reporting to online staff
Include detailed reproduction steps, screenshots, and any error messages you received.
Q: My balance/items/progress disappeared. What happened?
A: Data loss can occur due to:
- Server issues - Technical problems or rollbacks
- Plugin conflicts - Temporary glitches in data systems
- Database corruption - Rare but possible data storage issues
- Player actions - Accidental spending, trading, or disposal
Contact staff immediately with details about when you last saw the missing data and any recent actions you took.
Contact and Support Questions
Q: How do I contact staff for help?
A: Multiple contact methods are available:
- In-game:
/helpop <message>for immediate assistance - Discord: Support channels and ticket system
- Forum: forum.abyssaldetention.com for detailed issues
- Emergency: Email for critical situations only
Choose the method that best fits your issue's urgency and complexity.
Q: How long does it typically take to get help?
A: Response times vary by method and issue complexity:
- HelpOp: 5-30 minutes during active hours
- Discord: 15 minutes to 2 hours typically
- Forum: 4-24 hours for initial response
- Tickets: 1-8 hours for initial response
Complex issues requiring investigation may take longer to fully resolve.
Q: What information should I include when asking for help?
A: Always provide:
- Clear problem description - What exactly is happening?
- Steps to reproduce - How can staff recreate the issue?
- Screenshots/evidence - Visual proof of problems
- Your location and rank - Context for permissions and access
- Recent actions - What you were doing when the problem occurred
More information helps staff resolve issues faster and more effectively.
Still have questions? Check our other wiki sections for detailed guides, join our Discord community for real-time help, or contact staff using the methods above. The AbyssalDetention community is always happy to help!
Remember: No question is too basic or too advanced - we're here to help you succeed and enjoy your time on the server!