Best Palworld Server Settings
Every Palworld dedicated server is tuned through a single file, PalWorldSettings.ini. This guide explains the settings that matter most, what each one does, and recommended values for casual, balanced, and hardcore playstyles.
Where the settings live
All server tuning happens in PalWorldSettings.ini, found under Pal/Saved/Config/<Platform>/. On a Flux-hosted server you edit this file directly from the web dashboard's file manager and apply changes with a single restart — no SSH needed. If you self-host, copy the block out of DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini and edit it there; the server only reads your custom file, not the default one.
Always stop or restart the server after editing the file. Changes are read at startup, so edits made while the server is running will not take effect until the next restart.
The settings that matter most
PalWorldSettings.ini has dozens of options, but a handful define the feel of your world. Here is what each key setting controls and a sensible range for it.
| Setting | What it controls | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| ExpRate | How fast players and Pals gain experience | 1.0 balanced, 2.0–3.0 casual |
| PalCaptureRate | Likelihood of catching a Pal | 1.0 default, up to 2.0 for faster collecting |
| CollectionDropRate | Resources gathered per node | 1.0–2.0 |
| PalDamageRateAttack | Damage your Pals deal | 1.0 balanced, higher for faster fights |
| EnemyDamageRateAttack | Damage enemies deal to you | 1.0 default, lower for casual |
| DayTimeSpeedRate | How fast daytime passes | 1.0 default, lower for longer days |
| NightTimeSpeedRate | How fast nighttime passes | 1.0 default, raise to shorten nights |
| DeathPenalty | What you drop on death | ItemDrop (balanced) / None (casual) |
| bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage | PvP on or off | False for PvE, True for PvP servers |
| ServerPlayerMaxNum | Maximum players | Up to 32 |
Recommended presets
Casual / relaxed
Raise ExpRate to around 2.0–3.0, bump CollectionDropRate and PalCaptureRate up, lower EnemyDamageRateAttack, and set DeathPenalty to None or ItemDrop. This gets your group leveling, collecting, and building quickly without harsh setbacks — ideal for a friends server that wants to see the content without a grind.
Balanced (close to default)
Leave the multipliers at 1.0, keep DeathPenalty on ItemDrop, and keep PvP off. This preserves the intended survival pacing while still being fair for a co-op group — a good starting point you can adjust from once you see how your players progress.
Hardcore / PvP
Lower ExpRate toward 0.5–1.0, raise EnemyDamageRateAttack, set a heavier DeathPenalty, and enable bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage for PvP. Combine with a full 32-player cap for a competitive community server where progression is earned and encounters are dangerous.
Death penalty options explained
DeathPenalty is one of the most impactful settings. Options range from None (drop nothing) through ItemDrop (drop items but keep equipment and Pals) to All (drop items, equipment, and Pals in your party). Pick based on how punishing you want death to feel — None for a relaxed build server, All for hardcore survival.
Applying your changes
After editing PalWorldSettings.ini, save the file and restart the server. On Flux you can do this from the dashboard in seconds; the world persists and only the settings reload. If a value seems to have no effect, confirm you edited the active config file (not the default template) and that the server fully restarted.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Palworld server settings?
For a balanced world keep the multipliers at 1.0 with DeathPenalty on ItemDrop. For a casual server raise ExpRate to 2.0–3.0, increase gather and capture rates, and lower enemy damage. For hardcore, lower ExpRate, raise enemy damage, and enable PvP.
How do I change Palworld server settings?
Edit PalWorldSettings.ini (under Pal/Saved/Config) and restart the server. On a Flux-hosted server you can edit it directly in the web file manager and restart with one click.
How do I turn on PvP in Palworld?
Set bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage to True in PalWorldSettings.ini and restart the server.