Palworld Server Settings: Your Ultimate Guide to a Custom Palworld Experience
So, you’ve jumped into the wild world of Palworld. You’re catching Pals, building bases, and maybe even getting raided by some seriously angry Mammorests. But what if you want to tweak the experience? What if you want more XP, easier catching, or just a world that bends to your will? That’s where Palworld server settings come in.
This guide is your one-stop shop for understanding and mastering those settings. We’ll break down everything from the basic stuff to the advanced configurations, so you can create the Palworld server of your dreams.
Why Mess with Server Settings Anyway?
Good question! The default Palworld experience is fun, but it’s not for everyone. Maybe you find the resource grind too tedious. Maybe you want to build a hardcore PvP arena. Or maybe you just want to play with a group of friends and make the game a bit easier for everyone.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to dive into server settings:
- Customize Difficulty: Adjust damage multipliers, resource gathering rates, and Pal spawn rates to create a game that’s as challenging or as casual as you like.
- Tailor the Experience: Change the day/night cycle, disable raids, or tweak player stats to create a unique gameplay experience.
- Balance the Game: Address specific pain points, like overly aggressive Pals or slow progression, to make the game more enjoyable for your group.
- Enable PvP: Turn on PvP and create a server dedicated to player-versus-player combat.
- Modding Potential: While official modding support is still on the horizon, tweaking server settings can lay the groundwork for more advanced customizations in the future.
Accessing Your Palworld Server Settings
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. How do you actually access these settings? The method depends on how you’re hosting your server:
- Hosting Through Palworld (Your Own PC): You’ll find the settings in a file called
PalWorldSettings.ini
, usually located in:[Your Steam Install Directory]\steamapps\common\PalServer\Pal\Saved\Config\WindowsServer
- Hosting Through a Third-Party Provider: Services like Nitrado or G-Portal usually provide a web-based interface for managing settings.
- Dedicated Server (SteamCMD): The
PalWorldSettings.ini
file is in a similar path, just within your dedicated server’s structure.
Important: Always make a backup of your PalWorldSettings.ini
before editing!
Understanding the PalWorldSettings.ini
File
The file is structured like this:
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=Normal,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,...)
Each key-value pair controls a specific setting. Here are some key examples:
- Difficulty:
Normal
orHardcore
. - DayTimeSpeedRate/NightTimeSpeedRate: Controls how fast time passes.
- ExpRate: Affects how much XP players earn.
- PalCaptureRate: Higher values make capturing easier.
- PalSpawnNumRate: More or fewer Pals in the world.
- PlayerDamageRateAttack/Defense: Affects combat difficulty.
- BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate: Decay rate of structures.
- DeathPenalty: Options:
None
,Item
,ItemAndEquipment
,All
. - bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage: Enables PvP.
- bEnableFastTravel: Enables fast travel between points.
- ServerName/ServerPassword/AdminPassword: Sets up server identity and control.
Example Configurations: From Easy Mode to Hardcore
Easy Mode (Relaxed)
ExpRate=3.000000
PalCaptureRate=2.000000
CollectionDropRate=2.000000
PalDamageRateAttack=0.700000
PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.300000
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=0.500000
Hardcore Mode (Challenging)
ExpRate=0.500000
PalCaptureRate=0.500000
PalDamageRateAttack=1.500000
PlayerDamageRateDefense=0.700000
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=2.000000
DeathPenalty=All
bEnableInvaderEnemy=True
PvP Arena
bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=True
bEnableFriendlyFire=False
DeathPenalty=Item
PalDamageRateAttack=0.800000
PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.200000
Creative Mode
CollectionDropRate=10.000000
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=0.000000
bEnableInvaderEnemy=False
Important Considerations and Best Practices
- Restart Your Server: Changes only apply after a restart.
- Test Your Changes: Tweak a few things at a time.
- Communicate with Players: Especially important for public servers.
- Backups: Always make backups before editing.
- Balance: Avoid settings that trivialize the game.
- Admin Commands: Use admin tools in-game by setting an
AdminPassword
. - Read Patch Notes: Watch for updates from Pocketpair.
Final Thoughts: Your Palworld, Your Rules
The beauty of Palworld server settings is the power to tailor the experience. Whether you’re building a chill world, a brutal gauntlet, or a PvP deathmatch, you’re in control. So go on—tweak, test, and have fun!