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.
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 |
password | Password to restrict access (empty = public) |
maxPlayers | Maximum number of simultaneous players (default 16) |
gamePort | Port for game traffic (default 15636) |
queryPort | Port for server browser queries (default 15637) |
Gameplay settings
| Setting | Range | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Enemy strength | Low to Extreme | HP and damage of enemies |
| Enemy count | Low to High | How many enemies spawn at once |
| Resource multiplier | 0.5x to 3x | How many resources you receive per hit |
| Stamina consumption | Low to High | How quickly stamina drains when running, climbing and attacking |
| Hunger and thirst speed | Low to High | How quickly you consume food and water |
| Day/night cycle | Short to Long | Length of a full cycle in minutes |
| Fog duration | Short to Long | How long the Shroud fog is active per cycle |
Configuration: Casual (relaxed building)
Ideal for groups who mainly want to build and explore with minimal threat.
- Enemy strength: Low
- Enemy count: Low
- Resource multiplier: 2x to 3x
- Stamina consumption: Low
- Hunger/thirst: Low
- Day/night cycle: Long (more daylight)
- Fog duration: Short
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.
- Enemy strength: Normal
- Enemy count: Normal
- Resource multiplier: 1x
- Stamina consumption: Normal
- Hunger/thirst: Normal
- Day/night cycle: Default
- Fog duration: Default
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.
- Enemy strength: High to Extreme
- Enemy count: High
- Resource multiplier: 0.5x
- Stamina consumption: High
- Hunger/thirst: High
- Day/night cycle: Short (less daylight)
- Fog duration: Long
Every expedition into the Shroud is life-threatening. Resources are scarce, making crafting and preparation essential. This setup works best with a tight-knit group of 2 to 6 players.
Combining settings
You are not tied to a fixed profile. Popular combinations include:
- Builder with danger: high resources (2x) with strong enemies. You build quickly, but need to defend your bases well.
- Explorer: normal resources with short fog and low enemy strength. Ideal for discovering the entire landscape.
- Nightmare: extreme enemies, long nights and scarce resources. 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. Only extreme changes (such as a completely different map type) require a new world.
Which setting has the most impact on difficulty?
Enemy strength has the most direct impact. On "Extreme" enemies survive several times more damage and deal significantly more themselves. The resource multiplier has the most indirect impact: at 0.5x you need to farm twice as much for the same gear, leaving you vulnerable for longer.
Why HostValues?
Enshrouded servers at HostValues run on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X hardware 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.
