What is the difference between Minecraft 1.8 and 1.12?

1.8 : combat : no attack cooldown: fast clicking and combos ; content : old: no shield, elytra or recent blocks ; plugins and mods : very mature PvP and minigame plugins ; performance : very light, even on a small PC. 1.12 : combat : attack cooldown (since 1.9) and shield ; content : before the Update Aquatic: concrete, parrots, elytra ; plugins and mods : classic modpacks (Forge): tech, magic ; performance : light.

Can I join a 1.8 server with 1.12?

Only if the server accepts several versions (ViaVersion plugin). 1 listed server(s) accept both 1.8 and 1.12.

Minecraft 1.81 server Minecraft 1.122 servers

Minecraft 1.8 or 1.12: which version to choose?

Each Minecraft version plays differently: combat, available blocks and mobs, plugins and modpacks. Here is how 1.8 and 1.12 compare, and which servers accept them.

Criterion	Minecraft 1.8	Minecraft 1.12
Combat	No attack cooldown: fast clicking and combos	Attack cooldown (since 1.9) and shield
Content	Old: no shield, elytra or recent blocks	Before the Update Aquatic: concrete, parrots, elytra
Plugins and mods	Very mature PvP and minigame plugins	Classic modpacks (Forge): tech, magic
Performance	Very light, even on a small PC	Light

Choose 1.8 if…

… you want competitive PvP, minigames or BedWars, with "old school" combat.

Choose 1.12 if…

… you like the great classic modpacks or long-running Factions servers.

Top Minecraft 1.8 servers

#1 LodgeCraft1.8 - 1.21 · LodgeCraft, serveur Minecraft Survie FR : progression, économie, quêtes, guildes, donjons et contenu personnalisé. 3votes this month

All 1.8 servers →

Top Minecraft 1.12 servers

#1 FirstSky1.9-26.2 · FirstSky est un serveur Minecraft francophone SkyBlock et OneBlock, accessible en Java et Bedrock 8votes this month
#2 LodgeCraft1.8 - 1.21 · LodgeCraft, serveur Minecraft Survie FR : progression, économie, quêtes, guildes, donjons et contenu personnalisé. 3votes this month

All 1.12 servers →

Servers that accept both (1)

Rank 1

LodgeCraft ✓ 🎉 D-11 Java 1.8 - 1.21

LodgeCraft, serveur Minecraft Survie FR : progression, économie, quêtes, guildes, donjons et contenu personnalisé.

Adventure Economy Semi-RP Survival

…

3votes this month

Vote for LodgeCraft

FAQ

What is the difference between Minecraft 1.8 and 1.12?: 1.8 : combat : no attack cooldown: fast clicking and combos ; content : old: no shield, elytra or recent blocks ; plugins and mods : very mature PvP and minigame plugins ; performance : very light, even on a small PC. 1.12 : combat : attack cooldown (since 1.9) and shield ; content : before the Update Aquatic: concrete, parrots, elytra ; plugins and mods : classic modpacks (Forge): tech, magic ; performance : light.
Should I play 1.8 or 1.12?: Choose 1.8 if you want competitive PvP, minigames or BedWars, with "old school" combat. Choose 1.12 if you like the great classic modpacks or long-running Factions servers.
Can I join a 1.8 server with 1.12?: Only if the server accepts several versions (ViaVersion plugin). 1 listed server(s) accept both 1.8 and 1.12.