What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting their own vanilla Minecraft server for the first time? What are some popular add-ons or data packs that players commonly use to enhance their gameplay experience on vanilla Minecraft servers?

If you're considering starting your own vanilla Minecraft server for the first time, here's some valuable advice: First, ensure your hardware and internet connection can handle the server load to provide a lag-free experience for players. Next, focus on community building by defining clear server rules, fostering a welcoming atmosphere, and setting up communication channels like Discord or forums. Regularly update and maintain your server to keep it bug-free and enjoyable. As for enhancing gameplay on Minecraft vanilla servers, popular add-ons and data packs include "Vanilla Tweaks," which offers various improvements like custom crafting recipes and mob heads, "Ender Dragon Drops Elytra," which ensures the dragon drops Elytra upon defeat, and "One Player Sleep," allowing a single player to skip the night. These additions can enrich the player experience while maintaining the essence of vanilla gameplay.

Building a successful vanilla Minecraft server requires careful planning and dedication to creating a positive community. And those add-ons and data packs can certainly add depth to the gameplay without straying too far from the vanilla experience.