What Is Badlion Client?

If you’re into Minecraft PvP, you’ve surely come across Badlion Client. For years it was one of the big Minecraft clients alongside Lunar, known for its many built-in mods and a strong FPS boost. A lot has changed since 2025, though: Badlion now belongs to Lunar Client and is started through Lunar’s launcher. Here’s what Badlion can do, what it costs and how to install it today.

Key facts (as of October 2026):

What is Badlion Client?

Badlion is a free modpack for Minecraft Java with more than 100 built-in mods. It originally belonged to the Badlion network, a big PvP community with its own server, and most recently to ESL FACEIT Group. In March 2025, Lunar Client took it over. At the time, Lunar said the two clients together had more than three million monthly active players.

Since then:

• Badlion keeps running, but inside the Lunar launcher. The download button on badlion.net now downloads the Lunar launcher.
• Lunar is bringing Badlion features into its own client. Badlion’s motion blur variant is already in; announced additions include BetterFPS for 1.8.9, the Animations mod and voice chat.
• According to badlion.net, players who use Badlion through the Lunar launcher get an exclusive free cloak.
• According to Lunar, the old Badlion server (Badlion Network) is not coming back.

Lunar hasn’t made a final decision yet on whether Badlion will eventually merge completely into Lunar.

Which Minecraft versions does Badlion Client support?

According to badlion.net, the client mainly supports 1.8, 1.20 and 1.21, plus 1.12, 1.16 and 1.19. The PvP version 1.8 is the classic; many minigame servers still use its combat system today.

Badlion doesn’t list support for the new year-based versions (currently Minecraft 26.3 from September 15, 2026). If you want to play the newest version, simply pick Lunar Client in the same launcher; it supported 26.3 from day one.

What can Badlion Client do?

• FPS boost: Badlion advertises noticeably higher frame rates than vanilla Minecraft. How much you gain depends on your PC. More tips are in How to adjust your Minecraft settings.
• 100+ built-in mods: for example Keystrokes, CPS counter, Armor Status, Ping, Coordinates, Zoom, Fullbright, custom crosshair, TNT Timer, Toggle Sprint, AutoGG and Replay.
• SkyBlock helpers: dedicated mods for Hypixel SkyBlock. What the server offers is explained in Hypixel: what you can do on the biggest Minecraft server.
• Animations mod: adjusts combat and item animations, popular with PvP players.
• OptiFine add-on: depending on the version, you can launch Badlion with or without OptiFine.
• Textures: resource packs work as usual. Guide: How to install a texture pack or shader pack.

All mods are designed to be allowed on normal servers. There are no hacks like fly or killaura. Servers can still ban individual features, and the server rules always apply.

How much does Badlion Client cost?

The client is free. Only optional extras cost money:

• Cosmetics in the Badlion store: cloaks, wings, emotes, pets, sprays and more. Single items mostly cost between 5 and 15 US dollars (as of October 2026).
• Badlion Points: a store currency you can buy or earn.
• Premium and Premium+: a membership with monthly cloaks and other extras.

Badlion and Lunar have separate stores. According to Lunar, rewards from the old Badlion referral program, for example, won’t transfer to Lunar.

Badlion Client Download

Here’s how to get Badlion today:

1. Open badlion.net and click Download Client. You’ll get the Lunar launcher for your system (Windows, macOS or Linux). Alternatively, download it directly from lunarclient.com.
2. Install the launcher and sign in with the Microsoft account that owns Minecraft Java.
3. macOS and Linux only: click the cog icon at the bottom left, search for “Use Badlion Services” and turn it on. On Windows, it’s already enabled.
4. A Badlion tab now appears on the left. Choose the Minecraft version there and, if you like, add-ons such as OptiFine.
5. Click Launch Game.

To switch back to Lunar, use the Lunar icon next to “Versions” in the version menu.

For parents: Is it safe?

Badlion is a long-established client and not a hacked client. Since the takeover, the same company runs it as runs Lunar. Still, there are a few things you should know:

• Official downloads only: only download the launcher from badlion.net or lunarclient.com. “Badlion” downloads from other sites can contain malware.
• Not an official product: Badlion doesn’t come from Mojang or Microsoft.
• Purchases: cosmetics, points and Premium cost real money, and there are two separate stores (Badlion and Lunar). Agree on a limit and ideally use gift cards.
• Contact with strangers: Badlion is mostly used for PvP on big servers, where your child meets lots of strangers and chats. In the Microsoft family group you decide whether multiplayer and chat are allowed.
• Age rating: Minecraft is rated USK 6 in Germany (PEGI 7 in Europe/UK, ESRB E10+ in the US); the client has no rating of its own. More in our parenting guide on the right age.

If your child mostly builds alone, they don’t need a client. Badlion is worth it for kids who regularly play PvP on 1.8.

Frequently asked questions

Does Badlion Client still exist?

Yes, but it has belonged to Lunar Client (Moonsworth, LLC) since March 2025. Today you start Badlion through the Lunar launcher: the download button on badlion.net downloads the Lunar launcher, where Badlion has its own tab.

Is Badlion Client free?

Yes. The client with more than 100 mods is free. You can optionally pay for cosmetics from the Badlion store and for the Premium or Premium+ membership with monthly extras.

Which Minecraft versions does Badlion support?

According to badlion.net, mainly 1.8, 1.20 and 1.21, plus 1.12, 1.16 and 1.19. Badlion doesn’t list support for the new year-based versions such as 26.3; for those, use Lunar Client in the same launcher.

How do I start Badlion in Lunar Client?

On Windows, Badlion is enabled in the Lunar launcher automatically. On macOS and Linux, open the launcher settings and turn on “Use Badlion Services”. A Badlion tab then appears on the left, where you choose the version and click Launch Game.

Is Badlion Client safe?

Yes, if you download it from badlion.net or lunarclient.com. It isn’t a hacked client; it comes with allowed display and convenience mods. Parents should know about the cosmetics store and the Premium membership and agree on purchases beforehand.

Conclusion

With more than 100 mods, Badlion Client is still a strong PvP client, especially for Minecraft 1.8. Since Lunar took it over in March 2025, though, you start it through the Lunar launcher, and many of its features are gradually moving into Lunar. If you’re new or want to play the current version 26.3, you’re better off going straight to Lunar Client. Other alternatives are LabyMod and the German-made NoRisk Client.

Sources

• Official page: badlion.net/minecraft-client (versions, mods, download; accessed October 15, 2026)
• Badlion store: store.badlion.net (accessed October 15, 2026)
• Acquisition: Lunar Client acquires Badlion Client and Badlion Acquisition: Next Steps
• Badlion in the Lunar launcher: How to launch Badlion Client on Lunar Client