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DayZ Custom Loot Economy: Editing types.xml for Survival Balance

DayZ Guide • Updated Feb 27, 2026

DayZ Custom Loot Economy: Editing types.xml for Survival Balance

The types.xml file is the heart of DayZ's loot simulation. Every item in Chernarus or Livonia — from a single can of beans to a Dragunov sniper rifle — has its spawn parameters defined here. Customising this file turns a vanilla server into a highly tailored survival experience. Fresh spawns can feel desperate and meaningful or frantic and gear-laden—the choice is yours.

📍 File Location

On your server: mpmissions/dayzOffline.chernarusplus/db/types.xml. Always backup before editing!

🔄 Restock Timers

The restock attribute controls how many seconds after being picked up the server will attempt to respawn the item at a new eligible location.

Understanding the types.xml Structure

<type name="M4A1">
    <nominal>5</nominal>       <!-- Max alive on map at once -->
    <lifetime>14400</lifetime>  <!-- Seconds before despawn -->
    <restock>1800</restock>   <!-- Respawn wait after pickup -->
    <min>3</min>               <!-- Minimum to maintain -->
    <quantmin>-1</quantmin>    <!-- -1 = full magazine -->
    <quantmax>-1</quantmax>
    <cost>100</cost>           <!-- Spawn priority -->
    <flags count_in_cargo="0" count_in_hoarder="0" count_in_map="1" count_in_player="0" crafted="0" deloot="0"/>
    <category name="weapons"/>
    <usage name="Military"/>
    </type>

Survival Balance Recipes

Hardcore Server (Scarce Guns)

  • Set nominal for Military weapons to 2–3
  • Increase restock times to 7200 (two hours)
  • Double nominal for FoodCanned items to reduce early starvation deaths

PvP-Focused Server (Heavy Loot)

  • Set NATO assault rifle nominal to 30–50
  • Reduce restock to 300 seconds for fast cycling
  • Reduce medical supply counts to force resource competition

Important: After editing types.xml, restart your server completely. Changes do not take effect mid-session. Also validate your XML syntax using an online XML validator before restarting to avoid a failed server start.

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