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Mod Options Configuration

Project Zomboid Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Project Zomboid: Configuring Mod Options

Unlike vanilla settings, Mod Options in Project Zomboid (like Brita's Loot, Siphon Rates, or Map Spawns) often confuse admins because they don't always appear in the main server config GUI. Most modern mods use the **Sandbox Options** system.

1. SandboxVars.lua

This is the master file. 99% of mod configurations (Brita, Arsenal26, Vehicles) are stored at the bottom of this file in a Mods table.

2. "Mod Options" Mod

The Mod Options mod by Star is a client-side UI tool. It does not always reliably change server settings. You should edit the Lua file directly for servers.

3. Real-Time Changes

Most mod settings require a server restart to take effect, especially those affecting loot distribution tables.

How to Edit Options (The Reliable Way)

  1. Stop your server.
  2. Open the **File Manager** and navigate to /server-data/Server/.
  3. Open YourServerName_SandboxVars.lua.
  4. Scroll to the bottom. You will see sections like this: 
        StartYear = 1,
    -- Brita's Weapon Pack --
    Brita_Loot_Rate = 50,
    Brita_Silencer_Chance = 10,
  5. Change the values to your liking.
  6. Save and Restart.

Common Mod Configs

  • Brita's Weapons: Controls drop rates. Reduce Loot_Rate to 10-20% prevents your server from becoming a gun store.
  • Expanded Helicopter Events: Controls frequency of air drops/crashes. Look for Scheduler_Frequency settings.
  • Skill Recovery Journal: You can configure how much XP is recovered (50%, 100%) in the Sandbox Vars.

Why Don't My Changes Work?

If you see the options in-game but they don't apply:

  1. Soft Reset Required: Loot settings only apply to newly explored areas. You may need to soft-reset chunks to see changes in the starting town.
  2. Client vs Server: Do not use the "Options" menu in the main menu to config a server. That only affects Single Player. Always edit the server's Lua file.

Pro Tip: If you are struggling with the Lua syntax, start a Single Player game with the mods enabled, configure the Sandbox settings in the GUI, launch the world, and then copy the map_sand.bin from your local save to the server.

Fine-tune the chaos. Host your Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and easily edit your SandboxVars directly from our browser-based editor.

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