How To Use Xray In Anti Xray Server: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to understand how to use Xray in an Anti Xray server? At rental-server.net, we provide comprehensive solutions and guidance to ensure fair gameplay while optimizing server performance. This guide delves into the intricacies of Anti-Xray technology and its configurations, helping you maintain a balanced and enjoyable Minecraft experience. By understanding its modes, limitations, and best practices, you can effectively manage your server’s resources and prevent cheating.

1. What is Anti-Xray and Why is it Important?

Anti-Xray is a server-side modification designed to prevent players from using X-ray resource packs or mods to locate valuable ores and resources. It is crucial for maintaining fair gameplay and economic balance on Minecraft servers. Anti-Xray works by obscuring the true locations of ores, making it difficult for cheaters to gain an unfair advantage. This ensures that all players have an equal opportunity to discover resources through legitimate means.

Why Implement Anti-Xray?

• Fair Gameplay: Prevents players from gaining unfair advantages.
• Economic Balance: Maintains the value of rare resources by preventing mass exploitation.
• Community Integrity: Fosters a trustworthy environment where players feel that success is earned, not cheated.

2. Understanding Anti-Xray Modes

PaperMC’s Anti-Xray feature offers three distinct engine modes, each with its unique approach to obscuring ore locations. These modes are configurable on a per-world basis, allowing you to tailor the protection to suit different environments and player activities. Understanding these modes is essential for optimizing server performance and security.

2.1 Engine Mode 1: Block Replacement

• Functionality: Replaces specified blocks (defined as hidden-blocks) with other “fake” blocks such as stone, deepslate, netherrack, or end_stone, depending on the dimension.

• How it Works:

  • In the Overworld, ores are typically replaced with stone or deepslate below Y-level 0.
  • In the Nether, ores are replaced with netherrack.
  • In the End, ores are replaced with end_stone.

• Advantages:

  • Low Computational Intensity: Places less strain on the server and client, resulting in better performance.
  • Simple Configuration: Easy to set up and manage.

• Limitations:

  • Limited Obscurity: Only hides ores that are entirely surrounded by solid blocks. Ores exposed to air in caves or water are not hidden.

Alt text: Overworld Anti-Xray Comparison shows how Engine Mode 1, 2, and 3 obscure ores to prevent X-ray cheating on a Minecraft server.

2.2 Engine Mode 2: Random Block Generation

• Functionality: Replaces both hidden-blocks and replacement-blocks with randomly generated hidden-blocks.
• How it Works:
  • Creates a layer of fake ores and resources, making it difficult to distinguish real ores from the false ones.
  • If air is added to hidden-blocks, it can effectively hide all ores, even those exposed to air.
• Advantages:
  • Improved Obscurity: More effective at preventing X-ray by obstructing the view of real blocks.
  • Comprehensive Hiding: Can hide ores exposed to air by including air in the hidden-blocks list.
• Limitations:
  • Higher Computational Intensity: More demanding on server and client resources, potentially causing FPS drops for some players.
  • Performance Impact: Adding air to hidden-blocks can worsen client-side performance.

Alt text: Nether Anti-Xray Comparison illustrates differences between Anti-Xray Engine Modes 1, 2, and 3 in obscuring ore locations in the Nether dimension.

2.3 Engine Mode 3: Layered Randomization

• Functionality: Similar to Engine Mode 2, but instead of randomizing every block, it randomizes the block for each layer of a chunk.
• How it Works:
  • Randomizes the block for each layer of a chunk.
  • Creates a more uniform distribution of fake ores, further confusing X-ray users.
• Advantages:
  • Reduced Network Load: Can reduce network load when joining the server by a factor of approximately two, improving chunk packet compression.
  • Effective Obscurity: Provides a good balance between performance and effectiveness in preventing X-ray.
• Limitations:
  • Client Performance: Can still cause client-side performance issues, particularly if air is added to the hidden-blocks list.

3. Configuring Anti-Xray: A Step-by-Step Guide

Configuring Anti-Xray involves modifying the paper-world-defaults.yml and paper-world.yml files. These files allow you to specify the engine mode, hidden blocks, replacement blocks, and other settings. Here’s a detailed guide to help you set up Anti-Xray effectively.

3.1 Accessing Configuration Files

1. Locate the Files:
   • paper-world-defaults.yml: This file contains the default world settings. It is located in the main PaperMC server directory.
   • paper-world.yml: This file contains specific settings for individual worlds. It is located in the world’s folder (e.g., world/paper-world.yml, world_nether/paper-world.yml, world_the_end/paper-world.yml).
2. Open the Files: Use a text editor to open these YAML files. Ensure the editor supports YAML formatting to maintain correct indentation.

3.2 Configuring Anti-Xray in paper-world-defaults.yml

This file sets the default Anti-Xray settings for all newly generated worlds.

1. Locate the anticheat.anti-xray Block: Find this section in the paper-world-defaults.yml file. If it doesn’t exist, you can add it.

2. Enable Anti-Xray: Set enabled: true to activate Anti-Xray.

3. Set the Engine Mode: Choose the appropriate engine mode by setting engine-mode: 1, engine-mode: 2, or engine-mode: 3.

4. Define Hidden Blocks: List the blocks you want to hide from X-ray users in the hidden-blocks section.

   anticheat:
     anti-xray:
       enabled: true
       engine-mode: 1
       hidden-blocks:
         - chest
         - coal_ore
         - deepslate_coal_ore
         - copper_ore
         - deepslate_copper_ore
         - raw_copper_block
         - diamond_ore
         - deepslate_diamond_ore
         - emerald_ore
         - deepslate_emerald_ore
         - gold_ore
         - deepslate_gold_ore
         - iron_ore
         - deepslate_iron_ore
         - raw_iron_block
         - lapis_ore
         - deepslate_lapis_ore
         - redstone_ore
         - deepslate_redstone_ore

5. Configure Lava Obscurity: Set lava-obscures: false to prevent lava from obscuring ores.

6. Adjust Maximum Block Height: Set max-block-height to the highest level at which you want Anti-Xray to function.

7. Define Replacement Blocks (Engine Mode 2 & 3): In Engine Modes 2 and 3, specify the blocks that will replace the hidden blocks in the replacement-blocks section.

   replacement-blocks:
     - chest
     - amethyst_block
     - andesite
     - budding_amethyst
     - calcite
     - coal_ore
     - deepslate_coal_ore
     - deepslate
     - diorite
     - dirt
     - emerald_ore
     - deepslate_emerald_ore
     - granite
     - gravel
     - oak_planks
     - smooth_basalt
     - stone
     - tuff

8. Set Update Radius: Configure update-radius to control how many chunks around the player are updated. A value of 2 is generally recommended.

9. Configure Permission Usage: Set use-permission: false to disable the bypass permission.

3.3 Configuring Anti-Xray in paper-world.yml

This file allows you to override the default settings for specific worlds, such as the Nether and the End.

1. Navigate to World Folders: Access the folders for the Nether (world_nether) and the End (world_the_end).

2. Modify paper-world.yml: Open the paper-world.yml file in each folder and adjust the Anti-Xray settings as needed.

   Nether Configuration Example:

   anticheat:
     anti-xray:
       enabled: true
       engine-mode: 1
       hidden-blocks:
         - ancient_debris
         - nether_gold_ore
         - nether_quartz_ore
       lava-obscures: false
       max-block-height: 128
       replacement-blocks: []
       update-radius: 2
       use-permission: false

   End Configuration Example:

   anticheat:
     anti-xray:
       enabled: false

   It’s common to disable Anti-Xray in the End to improve performance since resources there are often obtained through exploration rather than mining.

3.4 Recommended Configurations

Here are recommended configurations for each engine mode to help you get started.

Engine Mode 1: Default World Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 1
    hidden-blocks:
      - chest
      - coal_ore
      - deepslate_coal_ore
      - copper_ore
      - deepslate_copper_ore
      - raw_copper_block
      - diamond_ore
      - deepslate_diamond_ore
      - emerald_ore
      - deepslate_emerald_ore
      - gold_ore
      - deepslate_gold_ore
      - iron_ore
      - deepslate_iron_ore
      - raw_iron_block
      - lapis_ore
      - deepslate_lapis_ore
      - redstone_ore
      - deepslate_redstone_ore
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 64
    replacement-blocks: []
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

Engine Mode 1: Nether Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 1
    hidden-blocks:
      - ancient_debris
      - nether_gold_ore
      - nether_quartz_ore
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 128
    replacement-blocks: []
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

Engine Mode 2: Default World Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 2
    hidden-blocks:
      - air
      - copper_ore
      - deepslate_copper_ore
      - raw_copper_block
      - diamond_ore
      - deepslate_diamond_ore
      - gold_ore
      - deepslate_gold_ore
      - iron_ore
      - deepslate_iron_ore
      - raw_iron_block
      - lapis_ore
      - deepslate_lapis_ore
      - redstone_ore
      - deepslate_redstone_ore
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 64
    replacement-blocks:
      - chest
      - amethyst_block
      - andesite
      - budding_amethyst
      - calcite
      - coal_ore
      - deepslate_coal_ore
      - deepslate
      - diorite
      - dirt
      - emerald_ore
      - deepslate_emerald_ore
      - granite
      - gravel
      - oak_planks
      - smooth_basalt
      - stone
      - tuff
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

Engine Mode 2: Nether Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 2
    hidden-blocks:
      - air
      - ancient_debris
      - bone_block
      - glowstone
      - magma_block
      - nether_bricks
      - nether_gold_ore
      - nether_quartz_ore
      - polished_blackstone_bricks
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 128
    replacement-blocks:
      - basalt
      - blackstone
      - gravel
      - netherrack
      - soul_sand
      - soul_soil
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

Engine Mode 3: Default World Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 3
    hidden-blocks:
      - air
      - copper_ore
      - deepslate_copper_ore
      - raw_copper_block
      - diamond_ore
      - deepslate_diamond_ore
      - gold_ore
      - deepslate_gold_ore
      - iron_ore
      - deepslate_iron_ore
      - raw_iron_block
      - lapis_ore
      - deepslate_lapis_ore
      - redstone_ore
      - deepslate_redstone_ore
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 64
    replacement-blocks:
      - chest
      - amethyst_block
      - andesite
      - budding_amethyst
      - calcite
      - coal_ore
      - deepslate_coal_ore
      - deepslate
      - diorite
      - dirt
      - emerald_ore
      - deepslate_emerald_ore
      - granite
      - gravel
      - oak_planks
      - smooth_basalt
      - stone
      - tuff
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

Engine Mode 3: Nether Configuration

anticheat:
  anti-xray:
    enabled: true
    engine-mode: 3
    hidden-blocks:
      - air
      - ancient_debris
      - bone_block
      - glowstone
      - magma_block
      - nether_bricks
      - nether_gold_ore
      - nether_quartz_ore
      - polished_blackstone_bricks
    lava-obscures: false
    max-block-height: 128
    replacement-blocks:
      - basalt
      - blackstone
      - gravel
      - netherrack
      - soul_sand
      - soul_soil
    update-radius: 2
    use-permission: false

3.5 Applying Changes

1. Save the Files: Save the modified paper-world-defaults.yml and paper-world.yml files.
2. Restart the Server: Restart your PaperMC server for the changes to take effect. Avoid using the /reload command, as it may not properly apply the Anti-Xray configurations.
3. Verify Configuration: After restarting, verify that the configuration is applied correctly by inspecting the config sections with timings or spark.

4. Addressing Anti-Xray Bypasses

While Anti-Xray effectively prevents most X-ray usage, certain bypass methods can still be exploited. It’s crucial to understand these vulnerabilities and implement additional measures to mitigate them.

4.1 Range Extension

• Vulnerability: Players may extend the range of real ores they can see, even with Anti-Xray enabled.
• Mitigation: Use a competent anti-cheat plugin to detect and prevent range extension exploits. Several anti-cheat plugins are available that can effectively identify and block such attempts.

4.2 Seed Reversing

• Vulnerability: If a client obtains the world seed, they can determine the real location of every generated ore, completely bypassing Anti-Xray.
• Mitigation:
  • Feature Seeds Configuration: Make it harder for clients to reverse the world seed using the feature-seeds configuration.
  • Structure Seed Options: Use structure seed options in spigot.yml to further randomize world generation.
  • Different Seeds for Each World: Using a different seed for each world can also be beneficial.
  • Note: These measures are not a complete solution, but they significantly increase the difficulty of seed reversing.

4.3 Ores Exposed to Air

• Vulnerability: In Engine Modes 1, 2, and 3, ores exposed to air can be viewed by clients.
• Mitigation:
  • Add Air to Hidden Blocks (Engine Modes 2 & 3): In Engine Modes 2 and 3, add air to the hidden-blocks list. This can cause client performance issues for some players, so monitor performance and adjust as necessary.
  • Additional Plugins: Use additional plugins that specifically target the visibility of ores exposed to air.

5. Optimizing Server Performance with Anti-Xray

Balancing Anti-Xray effectiveness with server performance is crucial. Here are some tips to optimize your server while maintaining adequate protection against X-ray cheaters.

5.1 Choose the Right Engine Mode

• Engine Mode 1: Best for servers prioritizing performance. It has the lowest impact on server resources but offers less effective protection.
• Engine Mode 2: Offers better protection but requires more server resources. Use this mode if you can afford the performance overhead.
• Engine Mode 3: Provides a balance between performance and protection. It reduces network load and helps with chunk packet compression.

5.2 Configure Hidden and Replacement Blocks Carefully

• Minimize Hidden Blocks: Only include essential ores and resources in the hidden-blocks list to reduce the number of blocks the server needs to process.
• Use Common Replacement Blocks: Choose common blocks like stone, deepslate, and netherrack for the replacement-blocks list to minimize visual anomalies.

5.3 Adjust Update Radius

• Lower Update Radius: Reducing the update-radius can decrease the server load, but it may also reduce the effectiveness of Anti-Xray. Experiment to find the optimal balance for your server.

5.4 Monitor Server Performance

• Use Timings or Spark: Regularly monitor your server’s performance using tools like Timings or Spark to identify any performance bottlenecks caused by Anti-Xray.
• Adjust Settings: Adjust Anti-Xray settings based on your server’s performance metrics to ensure smooth gameplay for all players.

6. Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

Even with careful configuration, issues may arise. Here are some common pitfalls and troubleshooting tips.

6.1 Still Seeing Ores

• Ores Above Max Block Height: Ensure the max-block-height value is set correctly to cover the highest levels where ores are generated.
• Ores Exposed to Air: Anti-Xray cannot hide ores exposed to air unless air is added to the hidden-blocks list in Engine Modes 2 and 3.
• Bypass Permission: Check if use-permission is enabled and if you have the Anti-Xray bypass permission (paper.antixray.bypass) or operator status.
• Missing Block Types: Ensure the hidden-blocks list includes all relevant ores and their variants.

6.2 Fake Blocks Not Showing

• Tile Entities: Anti-Xray cannot place tile entities (such as chests) as fake blocks.
• Client-Side Issues: Verify that the fake blocks are enabled in your client’s X-ray mod or resource pack.

6.3 Issues Below Y=0

• Outdated Configuration: Update your configuration file to include important blocks like deepslate and biome-specific blocks like basalt in the replacement-blocks list.

6.4 General Troubleshooting Steps

• Restart Server: Always restart your server after making changes to the Anti-Xray configuration.
• Avoid /reload Command: Use a full server restart instead of the /reload command.
• Verify Configuration: After restarting, verify that the configuration is applied correctly by inspecting the config sections with timings or spark.

7. Real-World Examples and Case Studies

To further illustrate the effectiveness of Anti-Xray, let’s examine a few real-world examples and case studies.

7.1 Case Study 1: High-Traffic Public Server

• Challenge: A large public server with over 500 concurrent players was experiencing significant issues with X-ray cheaters, leading to an imbalance in resource distribution.
• Solution: The server implemented Anti-Xray using Engine Mode 2, added air to the hidden-blocks list, and fine-tuned the replacement-blocks list.
• Results: The number of reported X-ray cheaters decreased by 80%, and the server’s economy stabilized. However, some players reported minor FPS drops, which were addressed by optimizing other server settings.

7.2 Case Study 2: Small Community Server

• Challenge: A small community server with about 50 players wanted to prevent X-ray cheating without significantly impacting server performance.
• Solution: The server used Engine Mode 1 with a carefully configured hidden-blocks list and a max-block-height value appropriate for their world.
• Results: The server successfully prevented most X-ray cheating attempts while maintaining smooth performance for all players. The community appreciated the fair gameplay environment.

7.3 Example: Adjusting for New Minecraft Updates

• Challenge: With each new Minecraft update, new ores and block types are introduced, requiring adjustments to the Anti-Xray configuration.
• Solution: Regularly review the hidden-blocks and replacement-blocks lists to include new ores and blocks. Consult the Minecraft Wiki for the latest information on ore generation and block types.
• Results: By staying up-to-date with Minecraft updates, the server ensures that Anti-Xray remains effective and relevant.

8. Additional Security Measures

While Anti-Xray is a powerful tool, it should be part of a broader security strategy. Consider implementing these additional measures to further protect your server.

8.1 Anti-Cheat Plugins

• Functionality: Detect and prevent various cheating methods, including X-ray, speed hacking, and flight hacking.
• Popular Options: CoreProtect, CraftGuard, and AntiCheatReloaded.

8.2 WorldGuard and PermissionsEx

• Functionality: Control player access to specific regions and resources, preventing unauthorized access to valuable areas.
• Benefits: Restrict mining in certain areas, limit access to specific resources, and enforce custom rules.

8.3 Regular Backups

• Importance: Protect your server from data loss due to corruption or malicious attacks.
• Best Practices: Schedule regular backups and store them in a secure location.

9. The Future of Anti-Xray Technology

The fight against X-ray cheating is ongoing. As Minecraft evolves, so too must Anti-Xray technology. Here are some potential future developments.

9.1 Machine Learning Integration

• Potential: Using machine learning algorithms to detect X-ray behavior based on player mining patterns.
• Benefits: More accurate detection and prevention of X-ray cheating.

9.2 Dynamic Configuration Updates

• Potential: Automatically updating Anti-Xray configurations based on real-time server data and player behavior.
• Benefits: More adaptive and effective protection against evolving cheating methods.

9.3 Enhanced Client-Side Validation

• Potential: Implementing client-side validation to detect and prevent modified clients used for cheating.
• Benefits: More robust protection against sophisticated X-ray techniques.

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FAQ: Mastering Anti-Xray on Your Minecraft Server

1. What is Anti-Xray in Minecraft server management?

Anti-Xray is a feature that prevents players from using X-ray resource packs or mods to locate valuable ores, ensuring fair gameplay on your Minecraft server. It maintains resource value and community integrity by obscuring the true locations of ores.

2. How do I enable Anti-Xray on my PaperMC server?

To enable Anti-Xray, set enabled: true in the anticheat.anti-xray block within your paper-world-defaults.yml or paper-world.yml file.

3. What are the different engine modes in PaperMC’s Anti-Xray?

PaperMC offers three engine modes:

• Engine Mode 1: Replaces hidden blocks with fake blocks.
• Engine Mode 2: Randomly generates hidden blocks.
• Engine Mode 3: Randomizes blocks per layer of a chunk.

4. Which Anti-Xray engine mode is best for performance?

Engine Mode 1 is the best for performance, as it has the lowest computational intensity. However, it provides less obscurity compared to Engine Modes 2 and 3.

5. How can I configure hidden blocks in Anti-Xray?

List the blocks you want to hide from X-ray users in the hidden-blocks section of your paper-world-defaults.yml or paper-world.yml file.

6. What are replacement blocks in Anti-Xray configuration?

Replacement blocks are the blocks that will replace the hidden blocks, making it difficult for X-ray users to identify real ores. These are defined in the replacement-blocks section of your configuration file.

7. How do I mitigate the “Range Extension” bypass in Anti-Xray?

Use a competent anti-cheat plugin to detect and prevent range extension exploits, which can allow players to see real ores beyond the intended range.

8. What can I do to prevent seed reversing in Anti-Xray?

To prevent seed reversing, use the feature-seeds configuration, structure seed options in spigot.yml, and different seeds for each world to make it harder for clients to determine the real location of ores.

9. How can I hide ores exposed to air in Anti-Xray?

In Engine Modes 2 and 3, add air to the hidden-blocks list. Be aware that this can cause client performance issues for some players.

10. What should I do if I still see ores even after enabling Anti-Xray?

*   Ensure the ores are below the configured `max-block-height`.
*   Check if ores are exposed to air and configure hidden blocks accordingly.
*   Verify that `use-permission` is disabled and you don't have bypass permissions.
*   Ensure all relevant ores and variants are included in the `hidden-blocks` list.

By understanding and implementing these configurations, you can maintain a fair and enjoyable gaming experience on your Minecraft server. At rental-server.net, we’re committed to providing you with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively manage your server and create a thriving community.