---
title: "Palworld Dedicated Server World Settings Explained"
description: "Every PalWorldSettings.ini option with its type and default - XP and capture rates, egg hatching, death penalty, item decay, base limits and backups."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/palworld/world-settings/"
category: "Palworld"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/palworld/"
published: "2026-07-23T18:09:35.471Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T13:15:57.642Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Palworld Dedicated Server World Settings Explained

One of the greatest things about Palworld is the flexibility you have to tune nearly every gameplay element of your server. All gameplay settings live in the `Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini` file. The file is one long line by default; which can definitely appear intimidating! We'll walk you through everything step by step.

This page is very large! If you just want to get in the game and don't care about the specifics, we recommend first reading the [Editing Workflow](#the-editing-workflow) section to understand where and what to edit, and then skipping directly to the [Palworld Server Settings Generator](#palworld-server-settings-generator) section to make your own configuration or [Preset Examples](#preset-examples) section to quickly use an existing one.

## The Editing Workflow

Before we begin it's important to understand that you cannot make changes to the file while the server is live. When the game shuts down, it overwrites your `PalWorldSettings.ini` file with the current in-memory values. To put it simply: if you make changes to this file while the server is running, your changes will not save.

![Pterodactyl File Manager showing PalWorldSettings.ini in the LinuxServer config folder](<https://cdn.gskinternal.com/articles/images/palworld-config-file.png>)

1. **Stop the server.** Editing a running server results in your changes being overwritten on shutdown.

2. Open the **File Manager** on your [hosted Palworld server](/games/palworld/) and navigate to the config path `Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`.

3. Edit `PalWorldSettings.ini` directly, or download it, edit locally, and re-upload.

4. **Start the server** and confirm your changes took effect.

### Understanding the Syntax

The server does not validate this file. If the syntax is wrong it will not warn you, throw an error, or refuse to start — it will silently discard the entire block and run on built-in defaults. That is why a mistake here looks like "none of my settings applied" rather than a crash.

> [!WARNING] The whole config is one line
> Every setting sits inside a single `OptionSettings=(...)` block on one very long line. Do not add line breaks inside it, and keep the surrounding parentheses intact; a stray comma or a missing `)` makes the server silently fall back to defaults.

Five rules cover almost every broken config we see:

1. **Edit values in place.** Change what is on the right of the `=`. Do not delete keys, reorder them, or add keys that were not already there.
2. **No spaces.** Not around the `=`, not after the commas. `ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=2.000000` is correct; `ExpRate = 2.0, PalCaptureRate = 2.0` is not.
3. **No line breaks.** The block must stay on one line. Word-wrap in the File Manager is a display setting and is safe; pressing Enter is not.
4. **Match the value type.** See the table below.
5. **Keep the brackets balanced.** One `(` after `OptionSettings=`, one `)` at the very end, and no trailing comma before that closing bracket.

| Type | Format | Example |
|------|--------|---------|
| String | Wrapped in double quotes | `ServerName="My Server"` |
| Enum | No quotes, exact spelling and capitalisation | `Difficulty=Hard`, `DeathPenalty=Item` |
| Boolean | `True` or `False`, capitalised | `bEnableFastTravel=False` |
| Float | Decimal point, six places is conventional | `ExpRate=2.000000` |
| Integer | Plain number, no decimal point | `BaseCampMaxNum=64` |
| List | Comma-separated inside its own brackets | `CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Mac)` |

> [!IMPORTANT] Enum values are case-sensitive
> `DeathPenalty=item` is not the same as `DeathPenalty=Item`, and the first one will be rejected. The same applies to `True` and `False` — lowercase `true` will not work.

### When your changes don't apply

You edit the file, start the server, log in — and the world is still running the old values. There are three causes, in the order worth checking.

1. **You edited while the server was up.** Covered at the top of this section: the shutdown write overwrites your file.
2. **A syntax slip.** One space around an `=`, one missing bracket, and the whole `OptionSettings=(...)` block is discarded silently, as above.
3. **There is a `WorldOption.sav` in the world folder.** Nothing looks wrong with your `.ini` in this case, because your `.ini` is not being read.

That third one is the cause almost nobody finds on their own. `WorldOption.sav` is the same settings in binary form, stored with the world rather than with the server, at `Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/<WorldID>/WorldOption.sav` next to `Level.sav` and `LevelMeta.sav`. When it is present it wins, and `PalWorldSettings.ini` is ignored.

It gets there one of two ways: [a world folder copied in from a single-player or co-op save](/knowledge-base/palworld/managing-your-world/#moving-a-local-co-op-world-to-your-dedicated-server), or a tool that generates one from an `.ini`. To hand control back to the `.ini`, stop the server, back up the whole `<WorldID>` folder, delete `WorldOption.sav`, and start the server again.

So there are three places a Palworld world can take its rules from:

| Where you are playing | What sets the rules |
|---|---|
| Single-player, or hosting co-op | The in-game **World Settings** screen, chosen when you create the world |
| Dedicated server | `Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini` |
| Dedicated server with a `WorldOption.sav` in the world folder | `WorldOption.sav` — it overrides the `.ini` |


## Palworld Server Settings Generator

Before continuing, we want to mention the free [Palworld server settings generator](/tools/palworld/server-settings-generator/) tool available on our website. It's super easy to create a brand new configuration file, or even edit your existing one.

1. **Grab the contents of your current file**. Navigate to your `PalWorldSettings.ini` file and copy all of the contents.

2. **Import your file**. On the server settings generator page, use the "Import existing .ini" button and paste in your file contents. Then click the "Load settings" button.

3. **Edit your settings**. Use the UI to search for the settings you want to change and edit their values. We handle the formatting and only let you choose options that are available.

4. **Copy or download your file**. Use the copy or download button to retrieve the new file contents. Either paste them into your server file, or upload the new file if you opted to download it.

5. **Optional: share your settings**. Any time you use the tool you will receive a sharable link you can use to send these exact settings to your friends!

## Preset Examples

Below you'll find three preset files that we created using the tool in the section above! These are ready to copy and paste directly into the file of any Palworld 1.0 server.

### Relaxed PvE

For groups that want to explore and build without the grind. Triple XP, double gathering, loot and capture rate, and eggs hatch in six minutes. Death costs nothing, players and Pals take half damage and regenerate twice as fast, and hunger and stamina drain at half rate. Structures never decay, equipment never wears out and food never spoils, so you can leave for a week and return to everything intact. Nights pass twice as fast and players pick their own starting location.

Raids stay enabled since they give bases a reason to exist. Set `bEnableInvaderEnemy` to `False` for a fully peaceful world — it also cuts the server's memory use noticeably.

```ini title="PalWorldSettings.ini"
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,RandomizerType=None,RandomizerSeed="",bIsRandomizerPalLevelRandom=False,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=2.000000,ExpRate=3.000000,PalCaptureRate=2.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PalDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PalDamageRateDefense=0.500000,PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateDefense=0.500000,PlayerStomachDecreaceRate=0.500000,PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate=0.500000,PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=2.000000,PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=2.000000,PalStomachDecreaceRate=0.500000,PalStaminaDecreaceRate=0.500000,PalAutoHPRegeneRate=2.000000,PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=2.000000,BuildObjectHpRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=0.000000,CollectionDropRate=2.000000,CollectionObjectHpRate=0.500000,CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=0.500000,EnemyDropItemRate=2.000000,DeathPenalty=None,bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False,bEnableFriendlyFire=False,bEnableInvaderEnemy=True,bActiveUNKO=False,bEnableAimAssistPad=True,bEnableAimAssistKeyboard=False,DropItemMaxNum=3000,PhysicsActiveDropItemMaxNum=-1,DropItemMaxNum_UNKO=100,BaseCampMaxNum=128,BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,DropItemAliveMaxHours=3.000000,bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=False,AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.000000,GuildPlayerMaxNum=20,BaseCampMaxNumInGuild=4,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=0.100000,WorkSpeedRate=2.000000,AutoSaveSpan=30.000000,bIsMultiplay=False,bIsPvP=False,bHardcore=False,bPalLost=False,bCharacterRecreateInHardcore=False,bCanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop=False,bEnableNonLoginPenalty=False,bEnableFastTravel=True,bEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCamp=False,bIsStartLocationSelectByMap=True,bExistPlayerAfterLogout=False,bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=False,bInvisibleOtherGuildBaseCampAreaFX=False,bBuildAreaLimit=False,ItemWeightRate=0.500000,CoopPlayerMaxNum=4,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="Default Palworld Server",ServerDescription="",AdminPassword="",ServerPassword="",bAllowClientMod=True,PublicPort=8211,PublicIP="",RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,Region="",bUseAuth=True,BanListURL="https://b.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt",RESTAPIEnabled=False,RESTAPIPort=8212,bShowPlayerList=False,ChatPostLimitPerMinute=30,CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac),bIsUseBackupSaveData=True,LogFormatType=Text,bIsShowJoinLeftMessage=True,SupplyDropSpan=180,EnablePredatorBossPal=True,MaxBuildingLimitNum=0,ServerReplicatePawnCullDistance=15000.000000,bAllowGlobalPalboxExport=True,bAllowGlobalPalboxImport=False,EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate=0.000000,ItemContainerForceMarkDirtyInterval=1.000000,PlayerDataPalStorageUpdateCheckTickInterval=1.000000,ItemCorruptionMultiplier=0.000000,MonsterFarmActionSpeedRate=2.000000,DenyTechnologyList=,GuildRejoinCooldownMinutes=0,AutoTransferMasterCheckIntervalSeconds=3600.000000,AutoTransferMasterThresholdDays=14,MaxGuildsPerFrame=10,BlockRespawnTime=5.000000,RespawnPenaltyDurationThreshold=0.000000,RespawnPenaltyTimeScale=2.000000,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_BaseCamp=False,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_Player=False,AdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode="PlayerDropItem",AdditionalDropItemNumWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=1,bAdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=False,bEnableVoiceChat=False,VoiceChatMaxVolumeDistance=3000.000000,VoiceChatZeroVolumeDistance=15000.000000,bAllowEnhanceStat_Health=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Attack=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Stamina=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Weight=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_WorkSpeed=True,bEnableBuildingPlayerUIdDisplay=False,BuildingNameDisplayCacheTTLSeconds=60)
```

### Hardcore

Survival-first, where every mistake costs something. Difficulty is set to Hard, permadeath is on, party Pals are lost for good, and death empties both inventory and equipment. XP and capture rate are halved, eggs take a full day to hatch, players and Pals take double damage and regenerate at half speed, and gear and food degrade twice as fast. Nights last twice as long, dropped items vanish after thirty minutes, respawns take fifteen seconds and fast travel only works between base camps.

Characters can be recreated after death so nobody is locked out permanently. Set `bCharacterRecreateInHardcore` to `False` for a true one-life server — decide before launch, since changing it later is unfair to players who already died under the old rules.

```ini title="PalWorldSettings.ini"
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=Hard,RandomizerType=None,RandomizerSeed="",bIsRandomizerPalLevelRandom=False,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=0.500000,ExpRate=0.500000,PalCaptureRate=0.500000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PalDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PalDamageRateDefense=2.000000,PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateDefense=2.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaceRate=1.500000,PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate=1.500000,PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=0.500000,PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=0.500000,PalStomachDecreaceRate=1.500000,PalStaminaDecreaceRate=1.500000,PalAutoHPRegeneRate=0.500000,PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=0.500000,BuildObjectHpRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000,CollectionDropRate=0.750000,CollectionObjectHpRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.000000,EnemyDropItemRate=0.750000,DeathPenalty=All,bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False,bEnableFriendlyFire=False,bEnableInvaderEnemy=True,bActiveUNKO=False,bEnableAimAssistPad=True,bEnableAimAssistKeyboard=False,DropItemMaxNum=3000,PhysicsActiveDropItemMaxNum=-1,DropItemMaxNum_UNKO=100,BaseCampMaxNum=128,BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,DropItemAliveMaxHours=0.500000,bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=False,AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.000000,GuildPlayerMaxNum=20,BaseCampMaxNumInGuild=4,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=24.000000,WorkSpeedRate=1.000000,AutoSaveSpan=30.000000,bIsMultiplay=False,bIsPvP=False,bHardcore=True,bPalLost=True,bCharacterRecreateInHardcore=True,bCanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop=True,bEnableNonLoginPenalty=True,bEnableFastTravel=True,bEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCamp=True,bIsStartLocationSelectByMap=False,bExistPlayerAfterLogout=False,bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=False,bInvisibleOtherGuildBaseCampAreaFX=False,bBuildAreaLimit=False,ItemWeightRate=1.500000,CoopPlayerMaxNum=4,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="Default Palworld Server",ServerDescription="",AdminPassword="",ServerPassword="",bAllowClientMod=True,PublicPort=8211,PublicIP="",RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,Region="",bUseAuth=True,BanListURL="https://b.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt",RESTAPIEnabled=False,RESTAPIPort=8212,bShowPlayerList=False,ChatPostLimitPerMinute=30,CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac),bIsUseBackupSaveData=True,LogFormatType=Text,bIsShowJoinLeftMessage=True,SupplyDropSpan=180,EnablePredatorBossPal=True,MaxBuildingLimitNum=0,ServerReplicatePawnCullDistance=15000.000000,bAllowGlobalPalboxExport=True,bAllowGlobalPalboxImport=False,EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate=2.000000,ItemContainerForceMarkDirtyInterval=1.000000,PlayerDataPalStorageUpdateCheckTickInterval=1.000000,ItemCorruptionMultiplier=2.000000,MonsterFarmActionSpeedRate=1.000000,DenyTechnologyList=,GuildRejoinCooldownMinutes=0,AutoTransferMasterCheckIntervalSeconds=3600.000000,AutoTransferMasterThresholdDays=14,MaxGuildsPerFrame=10,BlockRespawnTime=15.000000,RespawnPenaltyDurationThreshold=0.000000,RespawnPenaltyTimeScale=2.000000,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_BaseCamp=False,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_Player=False,AdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode="PlayerDropItem",AdditionalDropItemNumWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=1,bAdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=False,bEnableVoiceChat=False,VoiceChatMaxVolumeDistance=3000.000000,VoiceChatZeroVolumeDistance=15000.000000,bAllowEnhanceStat_Health=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Attack=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Stamina=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Weight=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_WorkSpeed=True,bEnableBuildingPlayerUIdDisplay=False,BuildingNameDisplayCacheTTLSeconds=60)
```

### PvP Server

Tuned so players reach fighting strength fast and spend their time competing rather than grinding. XP, gathering, loot and work speed are doubled and eggs hatch in thirty minutes, which keeps newcomers from being permanently outgunned. Both PvP switches are on, friendly fire is off, and defending another guild's base is allowed. Kills drop an extra item, death costs inventory and equipment, and rival guilds can loot the drops.

Structures have double health to survive organised raids, guilds are capped at eight to stop one group dominating, and global Palbox transfers are disabled so nobody imports a trained team from a private world. Respawns take ten seconds and double after repeated deaths within a minute, which shuts down spawn-camping. Voice chat and the public player list are both enabled.

```ini title="PalWorldSettings.ini"
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,RandomizerType=None,RandomizerSeed="",bIsRandomizerPalLevelRandom=False,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=2.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PalDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PalDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,PalStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,BuildObjectHpRate=2.000000,BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000,CollectionDropRate=2.000000,CollectionObjectHpRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.000000,EnemyDropItemRate=2.000000,DeathPenalty=ItemAndEquipment,bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=True,bEnableFriendlyFire=False,bEnableInvaderEnemy=True,bActiveUNKO=False,bEnableAimAssistPad=True,bEnableAimAssistKeyboard=False,DropItemMaxNum=3000,PhysicsActiveDropItemMaxNum=-1,DropItemMaxNum_UNKO=100,BaseCampMaxNum=128,BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,DropItemAliveMaxHours=1.000000,bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=False,AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.000000,GuildPlayerMaxNum=8,BaseCampMaxNumInGuild=4,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=0.500000,WorkSpeedRate=2.000000,AutoSaveSpan=30.000000,bIsMultiplay=False,bIsPvP=True,bHardcore=False,bPalLost=False,bCharacterRecreateInHardcore=False,bCanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop=True,bEnableNonLoginPenalty=True,bEnableFastTravel=True,bEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCamp=False,bIsStartLocationSelectByMap=False,bExistPlayerAfterLogout=False,bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=True,bInvisibleOtherGuildBaseCampAreaFX=False,bBuildAreaLimit=False,ItemWeightRate=1.000000,CoopPlayerMaxNum=4,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="Default Palworld Server",ServerDescription="",AdminPassword="",ServerPassword="",bAllowClientMod=True,PublicPort=8211,PublicIP="",RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,Region="",bUseAuth=True,BanListURL="https://b.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt",RESTAPIEnabled=False,RESTAPIPort=8212,bShowPlayerList=True,ChatPostLimitPerMinute=30,CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac),bIsUseBackupSaveData=True,LogFormatType=Text,bIsShowJoinLeftMessage=True,SupplyDropSpan=180,EnablePredatorBossPal=True,MaxBuildingLimitNum=0,ServerReplicatePawnCullDistance=15000.000000,bAllowGlobalPalboxExport=False,bAllowGlobalPalboxImport=False,EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate=1.000000,ItemContainerForceMarkDirtyInterval=1.000000,PlayerDataPalStorageUpdateCheckTickInterval=1.000000,ItemCorruptionMultiplier=1.000000,MonsterFarmActionSpeedRate=1.000000,DenyTechnologyList=,GuildRejoinCooldownMinutes=0,AutoTransferMasterCheckIntervalSeconds=3600.000000,AutoTransferMasterThresholdDays=14,MaxGuildsPerFrame=10,BlockRespawnTime=10.000000,RespawnPenaltyDurationThreshold=60.000000,RespawnPenaltyTimeScale=2.000000,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_BaseCamp=True,bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_Player=True,AdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode="PlayerDropItem",AdditionalDropItemNumWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=1,bAdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode=True,bEnableVoiceChat=True,VoiceChatMaxVolumeDistance=3000.000000,VoiceChatZeroVolumeDistance=15000.000000,bAllowEnhanceStat_Health=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Attack=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Stamina=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_Weight=True,bAllowEnhanceStat_WorkSpeed=True,bEnableBuildingPlayerUIdDisplay=False,BuildingNameDisplayCacheTTLSeconds=60)
```

## World Settings

Below you will find a list of all of the settings in this file with a brief explanation of what they do and their default values in case you ever need to revert your changes.

### Difficulty & World

Global difficulty and day/night cycle. `Difficulty` is a preset — set it to `None` if you want your individual multipliers to be the only thing controlling the game.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| Difficulty | Enum | None | Overall difficulty preset: None, Casual, Normal, Hard |
| RandomizerType | Enum | None | Pal randomizer mode. None disables it |
| RandomizerSeed | String | "" | Seed for the randomizer; blank generates one |
| bIsRandomizerPalLevelRandom | Boolean | False | Randomizes Pal levels as well as species |
| DayTimeSpeedRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast daytime passes. Higher = shorter days |
| NightTimeSpeedRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast nighttime passes. Higher = shorter nights |

### Progression & Pals

XP, capture odds, spawn density and breeding. These are the settings most owners change first.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| ExpRate | Float | 1.000000 | Experience gain multiplier. 2.0 = double XP |
| PalCaptureRate | Float | 1.000000 | Multiplier on the chance to capture a Pal |
| PalSpawnNumRate | Float | 1.000000 | How many wild Pals spawn in the world |
| PalEggDefaultHatchingTime | Float | 1.000000 | Base egg incubation time in hours. Lower = faster hatching |
| EnablePredatorBossPal | Boolean | True | Enables Predator Pal spawns |
| bAllowGlobalPalboxExport | Boolean | True | Allows exporting Pals out of this server's global Palbox |
| bAllowGlobalPalboxImport | Boolean | False | Allows importing Pals into this server from elsewhere |

### Combat & Damage

Damage dealt and taken by players and Pals. Attack and Defense are separate multipliers — raising Defense makes the target *tougher*, it does not increase damage.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| PalDamageRateAttack | Float | 1.000000 | Damage dealt by Pals |
| PalDamageRateDefense | Float | 1.000000 | Damage taken by Pals |
| PlayerDamageRateAttack | Float | 1.000000 | Damage dealt by players |
| PlayerDamageRateDefense | Float | 1.000000 | Damage taken by players |
| bEnableInvaderEnemy | Boolean | True | Enables raid/invasion events. Disabling reduces server RAM use |
| bEnableAimAssistPad | Boolean | True | Aim assist for controller players |
| bEnableAimAssistKeyboard | Boolean | False | Aim assist for keyboard and mouse players |

### Survival & Regeneration

Hunger, stamina and health recovery for both players and Pals. Lower the drain rates for a more relaxed server.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| PlayerStomachDecreaceRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast player hunger drains (note the game's typo: "Decreace") |
| PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast player stamina drains |
| PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate | Float | 1.000000 | Passive player HP regeneration |
| PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep | Float | 1.000000 | Player HP regeneration while sleeping in a bed |
| PalStomachDecreaceRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast Pal hunger drains |
| PalStaminaDecreaceRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast Pal stamina drains |
| PalAutoHPRegeneRate | Float | 1.000000 | Passive Pal HP regeneration |
| PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep | Float | 1.000000 | Pal HP regeneration while sleeping at a base |

### Gathering, Items & Drops

Resource yields, loot, item weight and how long dropped items survive. Several of these double as performance settings — see the Performance section below.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| CollectionDropRate | Float | 1.000000 | Materials gathered from nodes (ore, wood, stone) |
| CollectionObjectHpRate | Float | 1.000000 | Health of gatherable nodes. Lower = fewer hits to break |
| CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast gathered nodes respawn. Higher = slower respawn |
| EnemyDropItemRate | Float | 1.000000 | Items dropped by enemies and Pals |
| ItemWeightRate | Float | 1.000000 | Item weight multiplier. Lower = carry more |
| EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate | Float | 1.000000 | How fast equipment loses durability. 0 disables wear |
| ItemCorruptionMultiplier | Float | 1.000000 | Rate at which perishable items spoil |
| DropItemMaxNum | Integer | 3000 | Maximum dropped items existing in the world at once |
| PhysicsActiveDropItemMaxNum | Integer | -1 | Maximum dropped items with active physics. -1 = unlimited |
| DropItemAliveMaxHours | Float | 1.000000 | Hours a dropped item stays in the world before despawning |
| SupplyDropSpan | Integer | 180 | Minutes between supply drop events |
| bActiveUNKO | Boolean | False | Enables the joke "UNKO" collectible item |
| DropItemMaxNum_UNKO | Integer | 100 | Maximum UNKO items in the world at once |

### What is the item decay rate multiplier?

It is the in-game name for `ItemCorruptionMultiplier` in the table above. Perishable items — cooked food, berries, anything with a countdown on its icon — spoil and disappear when that countdown runs out. This multiplier scales the countdown for the entire world.

- `1.000000` is the default and is normal spoilage speed.
- Lower is slower. `0.500000` makes food keep twice as long.
- `0.000000` switches decay off completely. Nothing ever spoils, in inventories or in chests.

Palworld's own World Settings screen labels it **Item Decay Rate Multiplier** and offers a `0`–`10` slider. The `.ini` does not enforce that range, but there is no reason to leave it. Pocketpair added the option in the v0.6.6 update on 17 September 2025, which is why older configs and older guides do not have the key at all.

Three other settings get mistaken for it, and none of them touch food:

| What you actually want to change | Setting |
|---|---|
| Food and perishables spoiling in an inventory or chest | `ItemCorruptionMultiplier` |
| Weapons and armour wearing out as they are used | `EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate` |
| Built structures degrading over time | `BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate` |
| How long dropped loot lies on the ground before it vanishes | `DropItemAliveMaxHours` |

Set the first three to `0` and nothing in the world erodes, which is what the [Relaxed PvE](#relaxed-pve) preset does. `DropItemAliveMaxHours` runs the other way — it is a lifetime in hours, not a rate, so a *larger* number is what keeps dropped loot on the ground longer.

### Death, Respawn & Hardcore

What players lose when they die and how long they wait to get back up. The hardcore settings only apply when `bHardcore` is True.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| DeathPenalty | Enum | Item | What you lose on death: None, Item, ItemAndEquipment, All |
| bHardcore | Boolean | False | Enables hardcore rules (character permadeath) |
| bPalLost | Boolean | False | In hardcore, Pals in your party are lost permanently on death |
| bCharacterRecreateInHardcore | Boolean | False | Allows recreating a character after hardcore death |
| bCanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop | Boolean | False | Allows looting death drops belonging to other guilds |
| BlockRespawnTime | Float | 5.000000 | Seconds before a player may respawn |
| RespawnPenaltyDurationThreshold | Float | 0.000000 | Threshold before repeated deaths start extending respawn time |
| RespawnPenaltyTimeScale | Float | 2.000000 | Multiplier applied to respawn time once the penalty applies |

### Bases & Building

Base camp limits, structure health and decay, and Pal work speed. `BaseCampWorkerMaxNum` and `MaxBuildingLimitNum` have the largest effect on server performance of anything in this file.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| BaseCampMaxNum | Integer | 128 | Maximum base camps across the whole server |
| BaseCampWorkerMaxNum | Integer | 15 | Maximum working Pals per base camp. Lower this on busy servers |
| BaseCampMaxNumInGuild | Integer | 4 | Maximum base camps a single guild may own |
| MaxBuildingLimitNum | Integer | 0 | Structure cap per base. 0 = unlimited |
| bBuildAreaLimit | Boolean | False | Limits how densely structures can be built |
| BuildObjectHpRate | Float | 1.000000 | Health of player-built structures |
| BuildObjectDamageRate | Float | 1.000000 | Damage dealt to player-built structures |
| BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate | Float | 1.000000 | Rate at which structures decay over time. 0 disables decay entirely |
| WorkSpeedRate | Float | 1.000000 | Pal work speed at bases |
| MonsterFarmActionSpeedRate | Float | 1.000000 | Production speed at Pal ranches |
| bInvisibleOtherGuildBaseCampAreaFX | Boolean | False | Hides the base-area effect of other guilds |
| bEnableBuildingPlayerUIdDisplay | Boolean | False | Shows the owning player's ID on structures |
| BuildingNameDisplayCacheTTLSeconds | Integer | 60 | Seconds the server caches those building name lookups |

### Guilds

Guild size, inactivity cleanup and leadership transfer. The auto-reset and auto-transfer settings are worth enabling on public servers where players come and go.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| GuildPlayerMaxNum | Integer | 20 | Maximum players per guild |
| bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers | Boolean | False | Automatically delete guilds with no online members |
| AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers | Float | 72.000000 | Hours of guild inactivity before auto-reset triggers |
| GuildRejoinCooldownMinutes | Integer | 0 | Minutes before a player may rejoin a guild they left. 0 = no cooldown |
| AutoTransferMasterCheckIntervalSeconds | Float | 3600.000000 | How often the server checks for inactive guild leaders |
| AutoTransferMasterThresholdDays | Integer | 14 | Days of leader inactivity before guild leadership transfers |
| MaxGuildsPerFrame | Integer | 10 | Guilds processed per server frame; a performance tuning value |

### PvP

Player-versus-player combat and the extra drops that come with it. `bIsPvP` is the master switch; `bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage` is what actually lets players hurt each other.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| bIsPvP | Boolean | False | Enables PvP mode |
| bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage | Boolean | False | Allow players to damage each other |
| bEnableFriendlyFire | Boolean | False | Allow damage between players in the same guild |
| bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer | Boolean | False | Allows defending another guild's base |
| bAdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode | Boolean | False | Master toggle for the two settings below |
| AdditionalDropItemWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode | String | "PlayerDropItem" | Which extra item drops on a PvP kill |
| AdditionalDropItemNumWhenPlayerKillingInPvPMode | Integer | 1 | How many of that item drop |
| bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_BaseCamp | Boolean | False | Shows PvP item counts for base camps on the world map |
| bDisplayPvPItemNumOnWorldMap_Player | Boolean | False | Shows PvP item counts for players on the world map |

### Travel, Spawning & Session

Fast travel, spawn selection and what happens to a character after logout.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| bEnableFastTravel | Boolean | True | Allow fast travel between unlocked points |
| bEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCamp | Boolean | False | Restricts fast travel to base camps only |
| bIsStartLocationSelectByMap | Boolean | False | Let players choose their spawn point on the map |
| bExistPlayerAfterLogout | Boolean | False | Player character remains in the world after logging out |
| bEnableNonLoginPenalty | Boolean | True | Applies penalties to bases and Pals while a player is offline |
| bIsMultiplay | Boolean | False | Legacy co-op flag. Leave False on a dedicated server |
| CoopPlayerMaxNum | Integer | 4 | Maximum players in a co-op (non-dedicated) session |

### Stat Points & Technology

Which stats players may spend enhancement points on, and which technologies you can block entirely.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| bAllowEnhanceStat_Health | Boolean | True | Allows players to spend points on Health |
| bAllowEnhanceStat_Attack | Boolean | True | Allows players to spend points on Attack |
| bAllowEnhanceStat_Stamina | Boolean | True | Allows players to spend points on Stamina |
| bAllowEnhanceStat_Weight | Boolean | True | Allows players to spend points on Weight |
| bAllowEnhanceStat_WorkSpeed | Boolean | True | Allows players to spend points on Work Speed |
| DenyTechnologyList | String | *(empty)* | Comma-separated technologies to block from being unlocked |

### Voice Chat

Proximity voice chat, added in the 1.0 release and disabled by default. The two distance values are measured in Unreal units, not metres.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| bEnableVoiceChat | Boolean | False | Enables in-game proximity voice chat |
| VoiceChatMaxVolumeDistance | Float | 3000.000000 | Distance within which voice chat is at full volume |
| VoiceChatZeroVolumeDistance | Float | 15000.000000 | Distance at which voice chat becomes inaudible |

### Server, Network & Admin

Server identity, passwords, ports and the community browser listing. **Most of this section is managed from the panel** — the values below are rewritten into the file every time the server starts, so [edit them on the Startup tab](/knowledge-base/palworld/getting-started-with-your-server/) instead.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| ServerName | String | "Default Palworld Server" | Name shown in the server browser. Panel-managed |
| ServerDescription | String | "" | Description shown in the server browser. Panel-managed |
| ServerPlayerMaxNum | Integer | 32 | Maximum concurrent players. Panel-managed |
| ServerPassword | String | "" | Blank for a public server. Panel-managed |
| AdminPassword | String | "" | Required for [admin commands](/knowledge-base/palworld/admin-commands/) and REST API auth. Panel-managed |
| PublicPort | Integer | 8211 | Game port advertised to clients (UDP). Panel-managed |
| PublicIP | String | "" | Public IP advertised to clients; blank auto-detects. Panel-managed |
| RCONEnabled | Boolean | False | Enables RCON. Panel-managed — required for graceful shutdown |
| RCONPort | Integer | 25575 | RCON port. Panel-managed |
| RESTAPIEnabled | Boolean | False | Enables the REST admin API. Panel-managed |
| RESTAPIPort | Integer | 8212 | REST API port. Panel-managed — needs its own allocation |
| CrossplayPlatforms | List | (Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac) | [Platforms allowed to connect](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-crossplay/); remove entries to restrict |
| Region | String | "" | Region tag used to filter the community server browser |
| bShowPlayerList | Boolean | False | Publishes the player list in the community server browser |
| bUseAuth | Boolean | True | Requires platform authentication to join. Leave True |
| BanListURL | String | "https://b.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt" | Source of the global ban list; can point to your own — [shared ban lists cut both ways](/blog/game-server-moderation-tips/) |
| bAllowClientMod | Boolean | True | Permits players running [client-side mods](/knowledge-base/palworld/installing-mods/) to connect |
| ChatPostLimitPerMinute | Integer | 30 | Chat messages allowed per player per minute |
| bIsShowJoinLeftMessage | Boolean | True | Announces player joins and disconnects in chat |

### Saving, Logging & Internal

Autosave frequency, log format and low-level tuning values. Leave the interval settings alone unless you are chasing a specific problem.

| Setting | Type | Default | Notes |
|---------|------|---------|-------|
| AutoSaveSpan | Float | 30.000000 | Seconds between world auto-saves. Raising this reduces save-related stutter |
| bIsUseBackupSaveData | Boolean | True | Enables the server's built-in rolling save backups |
| LogFormatType | Enum | Text | Log output format: Text or Json |
| ServerReplicatePawnCullDistance | Float | 15000.000000 | Distance at which Pals and players stop replicating to clients. Lowering reduces CPU load |
| ItemContainerForceMarkDirtyInterval | Float | 1.000000 | Internal save-sync interval for containers. Leave default |
| PlayerDataPalStorageUpdateCheckTickInterval | Float | 1.000000 | Internal Pal-storage sync interval. Leave default |

## Performance Optimization

If your server stutters during combat, lags when several players are online, or slows down as bases grow, these are the settings worth considering. Each one trades something away, so change them one at a time and see whether it helps before moving to the next.

| Setting | Default | Try | Trade-off |
|---------|---------|-----|-----------|
| BaseCampWorkerMaxNum | 15 | 10 | Fewer Pals working per base. The single most effective setting on busy servers |
| DropItemMaxNum | 3000 | 1500 | Older dropped loot despawns sooner |
| DropItemAliveMaxHours | 1.000000 | 0.500000 | Less time to return to a death pile |
| PhysicsActiveDropItemMaxNum | -1 | 100 | Caps physics-enabled drops instead of leaving it unlimited |
| ServerReplicatePawnCullDistance | 15000.000000 | 10000.000000 | Distant Pals and players pop in later |
| BaseCampMaxNum | 128 | 64 | Fewer bases across the server |
| MaxBuildingLimitNum | 0 | 3000 | Caps structures per base and stops one player tanking the tick rate |
| PalSpawnNumRate | 1.000000 | 0.700000 | Fewer wild Pals to hunt |
| bEnableInvaderEnemy | True | False | No raid events, but a noticeable drop in RAM use |
| AutoSaveSpan | 30.000000 | 300.000000 | Less frequent save stutter, but up to five minutes of progress lost in a crash |

> [!TIP] Start with `BaseCampWorkerMaxNum` and `MaxBuildingLimitNum`
> Base simulation is what most Palworld servers are actually spending their CPU on, and these two put a ceiling on it. If you would rather not cap it, a [Ryzen 9800X3D dedicated server](/dedicated/ryzen-9800x3d/) is the other lever.

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