How to Configure Your Palworld Server Settings (PalWorldSettings.ini)

Where the File Lives

Your server's main configuration file is at:

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

You can edit it through the file manager in your control panel. Open it in the text editor there — no download required.

Important: Always stop your server before editing this file. Palworld overwrites PalWorldSettings.ini when it shuts down, so any changes you make while the server is running will be lost the moment you stop it.

File Structure

All settings live on a single long line under the [/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings] section header. The format looks like this:

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=1.000000,...)

Everything goes inside that one OptionSettings=(...) block, comma-separated. If the file is empty or missing the section header, just add both lines yourself.

Difficulty & Rates

These are the settings most server owners touch first. They control how fast the game moves and how punishing (or forgiving) it feels.

Pal & Base Settings

PalAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000
PalAutoHPRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000
BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000
CollectionDropRate=1.000000
CollectionObjectHpRate=1.000000
CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.000000
EnemyDropItemRate=1.000000
BaseCampMaxNum=128
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15

A few of these are worth highlighting:

• BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate — this controls structure decay. Set it to 0.000000 to completely disable building decay on your server. Many community servers do this.
• CollectionDropRate — the resource gather multiplier. Raise it to 2.0 or 3.0 for a more generous gathering experience.
• EnemyDropItemRate — loot drop multiplier from kills.
• BaseCampWorkerMaxNum — the number of Pals that can work at a base. Note: this setting does not actually work in PalWorldSettings.ini on many server versions. If you need to change it, you'll need to edit WorldOption.sav directly, which requires a save editor tool.

Server Access & Identity

ServerPlayerMaxNum=32
ServerName="Default Palworld Server"
ServerDescription=""
AdminPassword=""
ServerPassword=""
PublicPort=8211
PublicIP=""
RCONEnabled=False
RCONPort=25575
bUseAuth=True
BanListURL="https://api.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt"

• ServerPassword — leave blank for a public server. Set a password to make it invite-only.
• AdminPassword — set this to a strong password. You'll use it in-game to grant yourself admin access. See Palworld Admin Commands for how to use it.
• bUseAuth — keep this True. It enables Epic Online Services authentication, which is required for crossplay and ban list enforcement. Setting it to False is not recommended for public servers.
• RCONEnabled — set to True if you want to manage your server via RCON tools. Uses port 25575 by default.

PvP, Death & Events

bEnablePvP=False
DeathPenalty=All
bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False
bEnableFriendlyFire=False
bEnableInvaderEnemy=True
bActiveUNKO=False
bEnableAimAssistPad=True
bEnableAimAssistKeyboard=False

• bEnablePvP — set to True to allow player-vs-player combat.
• DeathPenalty — what you drop on death. Options: None (keep everything), Item (drop items only), ItemAndEquipment (drop gear too), All (drop everything including equipped items).
• bEnableInvaderEnemy — this controls raid boss events. If your server is experiencing crashes or severe lag spikes at certain intervals, setting this to False is one of the first things to try. Raids can hammer server performance.

Recommended Presets

Here are three starting points depending on the kind of server you're running.

Chill / Casual

Good for friend groups or anyone who wants to focus on building and exploration without the grind.

OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.500000,NightTimeSpeedRate=2.000000,ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=3.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaseRate=0.300000,PlayerStaminaDecreaseRate=0.500000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=0.000000,CollectionDropRate=2.000000,EnemyDropItemRate=2.000000,DeathPenalty=None,bEnablePvP=False,bEnableInvaderEnemy=False,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32)

Vanilla Plus

Mild quality-of-life improvements that keep the game feeling close to the intended experience.

OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.200000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.500000,ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=2.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaseRate=0.700000,CollectionDropRate=1.500000,EnemyDropItemRate=1.500000,DeathPenalty=ItemAndEquipment,bEnablePvP=False,bEnableInvaderEnemy=True,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32)

Hardcore

For players who want the full struggle. Default or tighter settings.

OptionSettings=(Difficulty=Hard,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=0.800000,PalCaptureRate=0.800000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaseRate=1.500000,PlayerStaminaDecreaseRate=1.200000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000,CollectionDropRate=0.800000,EnemyDropItemRate=1.000000,DeathPenalty=All,bEnablePvP=True,bEnableFriendlyFire=True,bEnableInvaderEnemy=True,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32)

After Saving

Save the file, then start your server from the control panel. If the server fails to start after an edit, the most common cause is a malformed OptionSettings line — check for missing commas, unclosed parentheses, or quotes that don't match.

To confirm your changes took effect, join the server and check the settings in-game under the ESC menu.

Related

• Palworld Admin Commands
• How to Enable Crossplay on Your Palworld Server (Steam, Xbox, PS5)
• How to Connect to Your Palworld Server
• How to Upload a World Save to Your Palworld Server
• Palworld Common Connection Issues