There are two different versions of Minecraft PvP, but which version should you use? In this article, we’ll be going over the Legacy and Modern combat systems, discussing what makes them different and which version you should focus on.

What is PvP in Minecraft?
PvP in Minecraft is referred to as fighting another player in different scenarios, whether it’s battling against a player in PvP-related game modes, duels, or fighting over some loot found in a mineshaft. The style of PvP in Minecraft tackles two different options. One option opts for fast-pace attacks, while the other focuses more on slow-pace and timed attacks.
Why are there two PvP methods?
In 2016, Minecraft released its controversial update, The Combat Update, for version 1.9. This update drastically changed the way players fought against others in Minecraft, forcing them to change their playstyle. This update caused a divide in the PvP community, having players stick to playing on 1.8 while the other players converted their PvP style to newer versions. While there are plugins to revert the modern combat system to its previous version, it doesn’t show many similarities and can often be quite buggy.

Legacy Styled Combat
Minecraft’s legacy-styled combat resolves around fast-click speed, referred to as “CPS” (Click per Second). This method is highly popular in today’s era of Minecraft gameplay and used to be the foundation of competitive PvP game modes, such as Survival Games, Kohi, Practice, and more. After the 1.8 update, Minecraft added a “Combat Penalty” after 10 swings. While this update made players feel annoyed, it is still a highly used version for experiencing legacy-styled PvP mechanics.

Modern Styled Combat
Minecraft’s modern-styled combat focuses more on timed hits and careful planning. The 1.9 combat update also introduced a variety of new weapons and mechanics into the game that changed PvP. This included shields, crossbows, and different damage values for specific tools. This style of combat also added a cooldown period for every time you use your attack key bind.

How can I get better at PvP?
There are a multitude of ways you can gain better experience at PvP in Minecraft. Learning skills such as Sprint-Resetting, W/S Tapping, and Strafing will help you level up your skills to the max, giving you a better chance at fighting your opponents. You can learn more from our PvP article here.

Which PvP method is Better in 2025?
Over the years, players have changed their PvP playstyle from legacy combat into modern combat, leaving the modern combat system as the more popular choice. However, it also depends on what your playstyle is. If you prefer fast-paced combat while utilizing different clicking methods, then the legacy versions (1.7 - 1.8) are for you. However, for more slow-paced combat, versions 1.9 and above are more your style.

Using Lunar Client’s PvP Info Mod
Struggling to improve your PvP skills? That’s completely understandable, and rest assured that Lunar Client has you covered with our PvP Info Mod. This Lunar Client mod will help you provide in-game statistics during live-action PvP, such as Projectile, Melee, and Health info.

If you have any questions or are experiencing issues with your client, create a ticket on our Support Website or join the Lunar Client Discord server! If you are unsure of how to create a ticket, please view the Lunar Client Support Guide.