Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client

Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client

Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 is one of the game's nostalgic versions, released in 2011 and fondly remembered for its pre-release mechanics, sound changes, and the era before the Adventure Update. With older versions like Beta 1.7.3 still run by private servers and single-player communities, “hacked clients”—modified game clients that change gameplay behavior—remain a recurring topic. This article explains what a hacked client is, the typical features aimed at Beta 1.7.3, technical and ethical implications, common detection and mitigation approaches for server operators, and safer alternatives for players.

Packet Manipulation

Clients like Nodus used a technique called "Packet 203" (Entity Action) flooding. By sending thousands of "Start Sprinting" packets (even though sprinting didn't exist in Beta), you could overload the server thread, causing "Timeout" for other players while you moved freely.

Conclusion

Hacked clients for Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 are technically feasible and historically common due to the era’s simpler client and enduring nostalgia. While they offer powerful capabilities, they pose fairness, security, and legal risks. Server operators should focus on server-side validation, monitoring, and community moderation; players should prefer legitimate mods and respectful server play. For private experimentation, take malware risks seriously and avoid sharing hacked clients that harm others.

When drafting features for a Beta 1.7.3 hacked client, you are building for a "Golden Age" version of the game that lacks many modern protections but has unique legacy quirks like the Far Lands

. Historically, clients from this era focused on movement and world-viewing bypasses that were not yet patched by server-side checks.

Below is a draft of essential and era-specific features for a Beta 1.7.3 client: Movement & Exploration Fly / Creative Fly

: Standard flight mode. In Beta 1.7.3, many servers lacked the "NCP" (NoCheatPlus) checks found in modern versions, allowing for very high-speed flight. Speed / "Speed Gonzales"

: Increases walking and sprinting speeds. Since sprinting was only introduced in later versions (Beta 1.8), this gives a massive advantage over vanilla players.

: Prevents fall damage by intercepting packets that tell the server you have hit the ground. Spider / WallClimb

: Allows you to walk up vertical walls as if they were ladders. : Walk on water or lava as if it were a solid block. Combat & Automation

: Automatically attacks entities within a certain radius. In Beta 1.7.3, hit detection was less restrictive, allowing for high-range "multi-aura" that hits several targets at once.

: Bypasses the mining delay between breaking blocks, allowing you to "machine gun" through terrain. AutoClicker : Simulates fast clicking to maximize knockback and damage.

: Automatically breaks all blocks of a certain type in a radius around the player. Visuals & Information (ESP)

: Makes common blocks transparent to reveal ores (Diamond, Gold, Iron). Tracer / Radar

: Draws lines to other players or shows their locations on a mini-map. FullBright

: Maximizes game brightness, effectively removing the need for torches in caves.

: Disconnects your camera from your body, allowing you to fly through walls and inspect bases without moving your character. Era-Specific Technical Features Far Lands Teleporter

: Specifically for Beta 1.7.3, a feature to teleport or safely travel to the

(roughly 12,550,821 blocks from spawn) where the terrain generator begins to fail. Dupe Helpers : Tools to automate legacy glitches, such as the Infinity Client's item stacking glitches WorldDownloader

: Allows you to save a copy of a multiplayer server's map to your local machine for offline viewing. Existing Client Examples

Historical and modern recreations for this version include the Infinity Client , and the newer $now Client technical breakdown

on how to implement one of these specific movement bypasses? How to Dupe Items using Beta 1.7.3 Infinity Client

Important Considerations:

1. Security Risks: Downloading and using hacked clients can pose significant security risks to your computer and your Minecraft account. These clients can contain malware or be used to harvest account information.

2. Terms of Service Violations: Using hacked clients typically violates Minecraft's Terms of Service. This can lead to your account being banned from online play, which can be permanent.

3. Community Impact: The use of hacked clients can negatively impact the experience of other players on servers, leading to an unfair advantage or disruption of gameplay.

4. Development and Usage: The development and distribution of hacked clients often occur in gray or black market areas of the internet. Engaging with these can support illicit activities.

Alternatives:

• Optifine: For those looking to enhance their Minecraft experience, Optifine is a legitimate and popular mod that improves performance and provides graphical enhancements.

• Forge and Mods: Minecraft Forge allows for the easy installation of mods, which can add a vast array of new features and gameplay mechanics to Minecraft, from simple tweaks to significant overhauls.

• Server Policies: If you're interested in playing on servers with specific rules or enhancements, look for servers that explicitly allow the use of certain mods or clients, and always follow their guidelines.

Safety and Compliance:

• Always prioritize safety and compliance with Minecraft's Terms of Service.
• Be cautious of links or downloads from unknown sources.
• Consider supporting official development and the Minecraft community through legitimate means.

If your interest in "Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client" stems from a desire to enhance your gameplay or explore modifications, consider the legitimate and safe alternatives available. Is there a specific aspect of Minecraft or a certain type of mod you're interested in? I'd be happy to provide more targeted advice or information.

The air in the room felt heavy with the scent of old dust and overheated electronics as the clock struck 3:00 AM. In the corner, an aging tower hummed, its fans struggling to keep pace with a game that shouldn’t have been demanding at all. I wasn’t playing the modern, polished Minecraft of today. I was back in Beta 1.7.3—the golden age of neon green grass and the clicking sound of doors that felt like home. But I wasn't playing fair.

I tapped the 'Y' key, and a jagged, white-text menu flickered into existence over the blocky landscape. It was a "hacked client," a relic from an era when the game's code was as open as the plains I was standing on. Names like "Sn0w" and "Infinity" were the legends of this underground, offering powers that felt godlike in a world meant for survival.

I toggled "Fly" and felt the familiar jerk as my character ignored gravity. Below me, the jagged cliffs of a world-generation seed long forgotten by modern algorithms slid past. I wasn't just flying; I was a ghost in the machine. With "Fullbright" enabled, the darkest caves glowed as if lit by a thousand torches, revealing veins of blue diamonds hidden deep within the stone.

I landed near a small wooden hut—the base of an unsuspecting player on a niche "Anarchy" server that promised no rules but rarely expected someone to break the laws of physics. I activated "X-Ray." The world turned into a wireframe skeleton of itself. Stone and dirt vanished, leaving only the valuables floating in a void: chests, furnaces, and the glowing red of a hidden redstone circuit.

I opened my inventory and looked at a single piece of TNT. I didn'tI toggled "Instant Break" and "Freecam." My spirit left my body, floating through the wooden planks of the hut while my physical avatar stood frozen outside. I placed the TNT inside a furnace, a glitch known only to those who studied the old bugs. One click, two clicks—the item duplicated. One became sixty-four. A message appeared in the chat."Who's there?"

I didn't answer. I just watched them through the wall with "ESP," their character outlined in a glowing red box. They were just a Steve with a stone sword, unaware that the version of the game they loved was being dismantled block by block.

I hit the 'Y' key again. I turned off the hacks. The jagged menu vanished. I looked at the TNT in my hand, then at the peaceful, blocky sunrise. In Beta 1.7.3, the world was small, finite, and fragile. I had all the power in the world, but as I watched the player walk out of their hut to chop wood, I realized the hack hadn't made the game better. It had just made it empty.

I disconnected, leaving the TNT on the floor of the hut, and let the old tower finally fall silent. Key Features of Beta 1.7.3 Clients X-Ray: Renders stone transparent to find ores easily. Fly/NoFall: Disables gravity and fall damage.

KillAura: Automatically attacks entities within a certain radius.

Freecam: Allows the player's view to leave their character model.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're playing old versions for nostalgia, check out the Betacraft Launcher to fix broken skins and sounds.

How do you feel about the ethics of using hacked clients in old-school gaming?

Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 is widely regarded by the community as the final "pure" sandbox version before the 1.8 Adventure Update introduced mechanics like sprinting and hunger. Because of its popularity in "Old School Minecraft" communities, several hacked clients (often called "griefing" or "utility" clients) are still maintained or archived for use on legacy servers. Notable Hacked Clients for Beta 1.7.3

Hacked Client "World": One of the most famous historical clients for this version. It typically includes classic cheats like Fly, X-Ray, KillAura, and NoFall.

Meteor (Legacy/Ports): While Meteor is a modern client, various "backports" or similar utility mods exist within the MultiMC and Prism Launcher ecosystems to bring modern cheat menus to Beta 1.7.3.

ZMF Client: A well-known utility client specifically designed for Beta-era anarchy and survival servers.

Nodus (Legacy): Originally one of the most popular clients in Minecraft history; archived versions for Beta 1.7.3 can still be found in legacy modding repositories. Key Features Typically Included

Modern "hacked" pieces for this version focus on bypassing the simpler anti-cheat plugins of the 2011 era:

Movement: Step (auto-climb blocks), High Jump, and Spider (climb walls).

World Interaction: FastPlace and Nuker (breaks blocks around the player rapidly).

Visuals: FullBright (removes darkness) and Tracers (lines pointing to other players or chests).

If you're looking to enhance your Beta 1.7.3 experience without a full client, these videos demonstrate built-in glitches and setup tips: Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 X-Ray Tutorial 1K views · 5 months ago YouTube · BoxBlair

How to play Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 w/ Working Skins and Sounds 10K views · 6 months ago YouTube · SixMix making smooth stone in old minecraft was weird 7K views · 1 year ago YouTube · BoxBlair

Caution: Using these clients on public servers usually violates their terms of service and can lead to permanent bans. For a safer experience, many players use the Betacraft Launcher, which focuses on fixing skins and sounds rather than providing cheats. Features I Wish Were Added in Beta 1.7.3

It was a dark and stormy night in the world of Minecraft. The year was 2010, and the beta version of the game had just released. Players were eager to explore the new features and updates that Notch had in store for them. Among them was a young and ambitious player named Alex.

Alex had been playing Minecraft since its early alpha days and had become quite skilled at surviving in the blocky world. However, as he delved deeper into the game, he began to feel a sense of monotony. He wanted more. He wanted to explore new lands, build incredible structures, and defeat the Ender Dragon with ease.

One day, while browsing through a popular Minecraft forum, Alex stumbled upon a post that caught his eye. A user had uploaded a modified version of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3, claiming it to be a "hacked client" that would give him an unfair advantage over other players. The post was titled " Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client - OP Items, Fly, and More!"

Intrigued, Alex decided to take a chance and download the client. He had heard stories about hacked clients before, but he never thought he would be tempted to use one. The promise of having access to unlimited resources, flying, and other cheats was too enticing to resist.

As soon as Alex installed the hacked client, he booted up Minecraft and spawned into his world. The first thing he noticed was the eerie feeling of having something not quite right. The game's interface looked slightly different, and he could see a few extra buttons and menus that he had never seen before.

Without hesitation, Alex started exploring the new features of the hacked client. He spawned in diamonds, gold, and obsidian with just a few clicks. He flew through the air, effortlessly traversing vast distances. He even gave himself a bright red sword that could one-shot any mob. Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client

At first, it was exhilarating. Alex built an enormous castle in a matter of minutes, complete with towering spires and sparkling fountains. He explored deep into caves, effortlessly mining for precious resources. He even defeated the Ender Dragon in a single hit.

However, as the days went by, Alex started to feel a pang of guilt. He realized that using a hacked client was unfair to other players. He was essentially cheating, and it took away the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that came with playing the game fairly.

Moreover, Alex began to notice strange occurrences. His game would occasionally crash, and he would lose all his progress. He would spawn into worlds with strange, glitchy terrain. And, most disturbingly, he started to receive eerie messages from an unknown sender, claiming to be the creator of the hacked client.

The messages were always cryptic, but they seemed to hint at a darker side to the hacked client. Alex started to feel like he had made a terrible mistake. He was trapped in a world of cheats and exploits, and he didn't know how to escape.

One fateful night, Alex decided to take drastic action. He deleted the hacked client and reinstalled the original Minecraft Beta 1.7.3. It was a painful process, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

As he spawned into his world, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. The game felt fresh and exciting again. He started to rebuild his world, this time using his own skills and creativity.

It wasn't easy, but Alex persevered. He mined for resources, built new structures, and explored the world without the aid of cheats. And, as he progressed, he realized that the true joy of Minecraft lay not in exploiting its mechanics, but in the journey itself.

From that day on, Alex vowed to play Minecraft fairly and squarely. He spread the word about the dangers of hacked clients and encouraged others to do the same. And, as the years went by, he became a respected member of the Minecraft community, known for his incredible builds and his commitment to fair play.

The story of Alex and the Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client served as a cautionary tale, reminding players of the importance of integrity and sportsmanship in the world of gaming.

The Golden Age of the Ghost in the Machine: Why We Still Mod Minecraft Beta 1.7.3

In the modern era of Minecraft, a hacked client is often viewed through a narrow lens: a tool for griefing, an unfair advantage in a competitive minigame, or a set of scripts designed to ruin someone else's afternoon. But to look at the world of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3—the final, shimmering moment before the Adventure Update fundamentally changed the game’s DNA—is to see the hacked client as something else entirely. It is a digital archeology kit, a rebellion against the constraints of a "finished" vision, and a deep-seated desire to master a sandbox that was still truly wild. The Perfection of the Imperfect

Beta 1.7.3 is widely considered the "Goldilocks" version of Minecraft. It had the piston, the wolf, and the sheer, jagged beauty of the old terrain generation, but it lacked the hunger bar and the structured progression of the End. It was a game about existing in a space, not beating it. Because the codebase was simpler—and, frankly, messier—it was a playground for developers.

When you boot up a classic client like Wurst (in its retro forms) or the legendary versions of Nodus and Huzuni, you aren't just gaining "Flight" or "Killaura." You are peeling back the skin of the game. In Beta 1.7.3, the line between "player" and "administrator" was paper-thin. A hacked client was the ultimate realization of the sandbox promise: if the world is mine to build, why shouldn't the rules be mine to write? The Ethics of the Void

On modern servers, anti-cheat software is an omniscient god. In the world of Beta 1.7.3 anarchy servers, the anti-cheat is often non-existent or intentionally porous. This creates a fascinating social experiment. When everyone can fly, when everyone can see through walls (X-Ray), and when everyone can automate their movements, the game shifts from a test of reflexes to a test of will and ingenuity.

In this niche community, "hacking" isn't about winning; it's about navigating a hostile, lawless digital frontier. It’s the "Wild West" of gaming. Using a client in this context is a form of survival. You use ESP to find hidden bases not just to raid them, but to understand the geography of a world where players have spent a decade hiding their footprints. A Preservation of Chaos

There is a certain irony in the fact that many people use hacked clients to preserve the history of Beta 1.7.3. "World Downloader" mods—often packaged within these clients—allow players to save massive, sprawling builds from dying servers. These clients become tools for digital conservation, capturing the chaotic, beautiful structures that defined an era of the internet that is rapidly fading.

The deep appeal of the Beta 1.7.3 hacked client lies in its honesty. It acknowledges that Minecraft, at its core, is a set of variables that we are invited to manipulate. By breaking the game, players often find they understand it better than those who play strictly by the rules. They aren't just playing a game; they are wrestling with the ghost in the machine, trying to see just how far the horizon goes before the chunks stop loading.

The Evolution and Legacy of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Clients

Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 is often hailed as the "Golden Age" of the game. Released in July 2011, it was the final version before the "Adventure Update" (Beta 1.8) introduced hunger bars, sprinting, and the End, fundamentally changing the survival experience. Because of its purity as a sandbox, a dedicated community still plays it today on "Golden Age" servers like 2Beta2T.

However, with this nostalgic revival comes a darker side of the game’s history: the development and use of hacked clients. What is a Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client?

A hacked client is a modified version of the game that includes "cheats" or utility mods designed to give players an unfair advantage. In the era of Beta 1.7.3, these were often distributed as minecraft.jar files that players had to manually swap into their game folders. Common Features in Beta 1.7.3 Clients:

X-Ray: Perhaps the most famous hack, it makes common blocks transparent so players can see ores or hidden bases through the ground.

KillAura: Automatically attacks any entity within a certain radius, often much faster than a human could click.

Fly and Spider: Allows players to fly in survival mode or climb up vertical walls like a spider.

ChestFinder/ESP: Highlights chests or players through walls, making it easy to raid hidden stashes.

NoPush/NoSlow: Prevents the player from being pushed by water or slowed down by cobwebs or eating. Famous Clients from the Era

While many clients from 2011 have been lost to deleted MediaFire links, some remain legendary in the community:

Nodus: Although it gained its peak fame in later versions (1.2.5–1.8), early iterations laid the groundwork for the modern "GUI" (Graphical User Interface) that most clients use today.

PB Client: Known for its "Cool Brick Background" and specialized features like TorchNuke, which would instantly destroy all torches in an area.

Xenon: A popular choice for early anarchy players looking for a lightweight but effective toolset. The Risks: Malware and Bans

Downloading hacked clients from this era is a high-risk activity. Because many of these files are hosted on "sketchy" or archived websites, they are frequently bundled with Trojans or other malware. Even "famous" clients have historically been found to contain "rats" (Remote Access Trojans) that allow developers to steal Discord tokens, Minecraft accounts, or even banking information. Minecraft Beta 1

Beyond security risks, using these clients on most modern "Golden Age" servers will result in an immediate permanent ban. Server owners use plugins like NoCheatPlus to detect the irregular movement and packet patterns these old clients produce. Why People Still Use Them

In the modern day, most players using "hacks" in Beta 1.7.3 are doing so on Anarchy Servers. On these servers, there are no rules against cheating, and the gameplay becomes a "technical arms race" between those writing the cheats and those trying to defend their bases. For others, it’s a form of digital archaeology—exploring how the game's code was first manipulated over a decade ago.

If you're looking to enhance your Beta 1.7.3 experience without the risks of hacking, many players recommend using the Better than Adventure mod, which expands on the "Golden Age" feel while remaining a legitimate modding project. Features I Wish Were Added in Beta 1.7.3

Report: Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Clients

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Analysis of Hacked Clients targeting Minecraft Beta 1.7.3

Conclusion: The Unkillable Version

The Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client is more than a cheat tool. It is a time capsule. It represents an era when Mojang was a small team, security was an afterthought, and players had absolute freedom to break the rules.

Whether you view it as a toxic griefing tool or a fascinating piece of modding history, its impact is undeniable. For the hundreds of players still populating Beta 1.7.3 anarchy servers today, logging in without a hacked client isn't just foolish—it's impossible.

If you choose to explore this world, do so with caution, respect for server rules (where applicable), and a robust antivirus. The past is dangerous, but for veteran griefers and nostalgic hackers, Beta 1.7.3 is still heaven.

Long live the Golden Age.

Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 is often considered the golden era of the game. It was the final version before the Adventure Update changed the world generation and mechanics forever. Because of its massive popularity in the "Old Days" community, there is still a high demand for hacked clients to use on anarchy servers or for technical experimentation.

If you are looking for the best Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 hacked clients, this guide covers the top choices, their features, and how to install them safely. The All-Time Classics

In the modern era of Minecraft, we have clients like Meteor or Aristois. However, for Beta 1.7.3, the community relies on legendary software that has been preserved for over a decade.

BitpaveBitpave is widely considered the gold standard for Beta 1.7.3 anarchy play. It is stable, feature-rich, and has a user interface that feels modern despite the game’s age.Key Features: Advanced KillAura with customizable reach. Robust Fly and Speed hacks optimized for old anti-cheats. X-Ray with high visibility. Fullbright and ESP for finding players and chests.

Wurst (Retro)While Wurst is a household name for modern Minecraft, the "Retro" versions are specifically maintained for versions like Beta 1.7.3. It offers the most user-friendly ClickGUI and is very easy for beginners to navigate.Key Features: Auto-tool and Auto-eat functionality. Reliable "NoFall" to prevent gravity damage. Search function to highlight specific blocks in the world.

MinesenseMinesense is a more "niche" client often favored by players who want a sleek, minimalist experience. It focuses heavily on movement and combat precision.Key Features: Criticals (guaranteed crit hits every time). Step (walk up full blocks without jumping). Tracer lines to locate other players across the map. Essential Features for Beta 1.7.3

Hacking in Beta 1.7.3 is different than in version 1.20+. The server-side checks are often weaker, allowing for more "blatant" cheats that would get you instantly banned on modern servers.

Movement CheatsIn Beta 1.7.3, hunger didn't exist, so you could sprint indefinitely by simply using a speed hack. "Fly" and "Spider" (climbing walls) are also extremely effective in this version because the game's original code didn't have strict vertical movement validation.

Combat CheatsSince there is no attack cooldown (the "combat update" happened years later), KillAura in Beta 1.7.3 is devastating. You can swing as fast as your client allows, turning you into a literal lawnmower against mobs and players.

World InteractionX-Ray remains the most popular feature. In Beta 1.7.3, finding diamonds is harder due to the lack of modern cave generation, making X-Ray or "Cave Finder" essential for survival on anarchy servers. How to Install a Hacked Client for Beta 1.7.3

Most legacy clients are distributed as .jar files or modified version folders.

Locate your Minecraft folder (usually %appdata%/.minecraft). Open the "versions" folder.

Create a new folder named after the client (e.g., "Bitpave-Beta"). Paste the client’s .jar and .json files into that folder.

Open the Minecraft Launcher, create a new "Installation," and select the client from the version dropdown menu. A Note on Safety and Servers

Always download clients from reputable community archives or official GitHub repositories. Because Beta 1.7.3 is so old, many "free download" sites host outdated files that may contain malware.

If you are looking for a place to test these clients, search for "Beta 1.7.3 Anarchy Servers." These communities allow the use of hacked clients, providing a lawless environment where you can test the limits of these classic cheats.

If you tell me what specific features you're looking for, I can help you find a client that matches: Combat-focused (best for PvP) Utility-focused (best for building/mining) Lightweight (best for older computers)

6. Legal Status

• Mojang/Microsoft EULA: Using hacked clients violates the Minecraft EULA (Section 2 – Modifications). However, enforcement on Beta versions is nonexistent.
• Server Rules: Most public Beta 1.7.3 servers explicitly ban hacked clients.
• Copyright: Distributing modified minecraft.jar may infringe copyright if it includes decompiled Mojang code. Many clients provide “installers” that patch an official JAR.

5.1. Security Risks

• Malware: Many “Beta 1.7.3 hacked clients” from untrusted sources contain remote access trojans (RATs), keyloggers, or crypto miners.
• Account Theft: Clients can capture login credentials (even offline mode servers).
• System Integrity: Some require disabling antivirus or modifying system hosts.

Part 5: The Risk – Malware and "Cracked" Launchers

Here is the necessary warning for anyone searching for "Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 Hacked Client download":

90% of the files available on YouTube or forum posts from 2011-2015 are infected.

Because these clients require deep access to the Java environment, they are prime vectors for:

• Crypter-based RATs (Remote Access Trojans).
• Bitcoin miners (Beta 1.7.3 runs on low CPU, making it a perfect mask for a miner).
• Session stealers (Stealing your modern Microsoft account even if you are playing an old version).

Never run a downloaded .exe installer for a hacked client. The safest way is to find open-source code (e.g., on GitHub archives) and compile the .java files yourself using Eclipse or IntelliJ.

Part I: Why Beta 1.7.3? The Historical Context

To understand the demand for a Beta 1.7.3 hacked client, you must first understand the version's unique position. Conclusion Hacked clients for Minecraft Beta 1

• No Sprinting: In Beta 1.7.3, moving fast required constantly tapping the W key. Hacked clients offered "Auto-Sprint" and "Speed hacks" that broke this limitation.
• No Hunger: Health regenerated instantly with food. A "Regen" hack in Beta 1.7.3 was vastly overpowered because there was no saturation to limit it.
• The "Far Lands" Era: This was the last version where the famous Far Lands (terrain generation corruption) were accessible without mods. Hack clients with "No Fall" and "Super Jump" helped players traverse these surreal wastes.
• PVP Simplicity: Combat was just clicking. There were no shields, critical hit timers, or axes. A "Kill Aura" or "Clicker" in Beta 1.7.3 was the ultimate decider in battle.

Because the source code for Beta versions is vastly simpler than modern releases, creating hacks was easier, but the clients lacked the "stealth" features of modern tools. They were blatant, powerful, and glorious.

Is it cheating?

On a private vanilla server with friends? Yes, absolutely. You ruin the experience. On an anarchy server? It is the point of the game. The battle is between client developers and server admins running modded anti-cheat plugins.