Enshrouded offers extensive server settings that let you tailor the gameplay experience precisely to your group. Whether you want to build in a relaxed way, seek a balanced RPG experience or survive hardcore: the right settings make all the difference. In this article we discuss the most important parameters and provide ready-made configurations per play style.
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Where are the settings?
The server configuration is in enshrouded_server.json. You edit this file through the game panel or with a text editor. After every change you need to restart the server.
Key settings
Server basics
| Setting | Explanation |
|---|---|
name | Your server name, visible in the server list |
userGroups | User groups, each with its own password and permissions (since Update 2 the old single password field is no longer used for the server password) |
slotCount | Number of player slots, 1 to 16 (default 16) |
queryPort | Port for server browser queries (default 15637) |
Gameplay settings
According to Keen (Server Gameplay Settings); factors default to 1:
| Setting | Range | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
gameSettingsPreset | Default, Relaxed, Hard, Survival, Custom | Preset; individual values only apply with Custom |
enemyHealthFactor | 0.25 to 4 | Enemy health (not bosses) |
enemyDamageFactor | 0.25 to 5 | Enemy damage (not bosses) |
randomSpawnerAmount | Few, Normal, Many, Extreme | Amount of enemies in the world |
resourceDropStackAmountFactor | 0.25 to 2 | Materials per loot stack |
playerStaminaFactor | 0.25 to 4 | Maximum player stamina |
enableStarvingDebuff | true or false | Hunger and starvation on or off |
dayTimeDuration, nightTimeDuration | 2 to 60 minutes | Length of day and night |
shroudTimeFactor | 0.5 to 2 | How long characters can remain in the Shroud |
Configuration: Casual (relaxed building)
Ideal for groups who mainly want to build and explore with minimal threat.
- Preset
Relaxed - According to Keen: fewer enemies, more resources and loot
With these settings the focus is on creativity and exploration. Enemies are a background threat without disrupting the building.
Configuration: Balanced (standard RPG)
The recommended experience for most groups. Challenging but not frustrating.
- Preset
Default - All default values; recommended by Keen for first-time players
This is how the developers intended the game. The progression feels natural and the Shroud areas pose a real threat.
Configuration: Hardcore (maximum challenge)
For experienced groups who want every fight to carry weight.
- Preset
Hard: more enemies that are also more aggressive - Preset
Survival: more aggressive enemies plus additional survival mechanics
Keen gives no individual values for Relaxed, Hard and Survival. To decide exactly what changes, choose Custom and set the factors yourself.
Combining settings
You are not tied to a preset. With Custom you combine values yourself, for example:
- Builder with danger:
resourceDropStackAmountFactorat 2 andenemyDamageFactorabove 1. - Explorer:
shroudTimeFactorat 2 andrandomSpawnerAmountat Few. - Nightmare:
randomSpawnerAmountat Extreme, a longernightTimeDurationandresourceDropStackAmountFactorat 0.25. Only for the most experienced players.
Can I change settings without resetting the world?
Yes, most gameplay settings can be adjusted without regenerating the world. Stop the server, modify enshrouded_server.json and start again. The existing world remains intact. With invalid text the server does not start; numbers outside the range become the minimum or maximum.
Which setting has the most impact on difficulty?
The preset weighs most: Hard and Survival make enemies more numerous or more aggressive. Within Custom, enemyDamageFactor and enemyHealthFactor act directly on every fight; a low resourceDropStackAmountFactor makes gathering slower.
Why HostValues?
Enshrouded servers at HostValues run on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X or 9950X hardware (Europe and US) with NVMe storage and DDoS protection included. Adjust your settings through the game panel and restart with one click. All plans can be cancelled monthly. Check out Enshrouded hosting.
