Palworld has grown into one of the most popular survival games since its release in 2024. With the Sakurajima update and ongoing content additions, the game continues to grow. A dedicated server lets you play with friends on your own terms.
Hardware requirements
| Players | RAM | CPU | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 8 GB | 4 cores, 3+ GHz | 10 GB |
| 4-16 | 12-16 GB | 4+ cores, high clock speed | 15 GB |
| 16-32 | 16-32 GB | 6+ cores, Ryzen 7/9 | 20 GB |
Palworld is heavy on RAM, especially with many Pals and bases. Better to overestimate than underestimate.
Installing the server via SteamCMD
# Install SteamCMD (Ubuntu/Debian) apt install steamcmd # Download Palworld server steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit
Starting the server
./PalServer.sh -port=8211 -players=16 -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS
The server runs on port 8211 (UDP) by default.
Adjusting settings
After the first start, PalWorldSettings.ini is created. Important settings:
ServerName=My Palworld Server ServerDescription=Welcome! AdminPassword=adminpassword ServerPassword=playerpassword ServerPlayerMaxNum=16 PublicPort=8211 # Gameplay adjustments ExpRate=2.0 PalCaptureRate=1.5 PalSpawnNumRate=1.0 DayTimeSpeedRate=1.0 NightTimeSpeedRate=1.0 PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.0 PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.0 PalDamageRateAttack=1.0 PalDamageRateDefense=1.0 DeathPenalty=1
World settings
- ExpRate: XP multiplier. 2.0 = double XP.
- PalCaptureRate: how easy Pals are to catch. Higher = easier.
- DeathPenalty: 0=no penalty, 1=drop items, 2=drop items and Pals.
- bEnableInvaderEnemy: enable or disable base raids.
- CoopPlayerMaxNum: max players in a guild/coop.
Firewall and ports
ufw allow 8211/udp # Game traffic ufw allow 27015/udp # Steam query
Updating the server
Palworld is regularly updated. Update via SteamCMD:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit
Always create a backup before updating. Copy the Saved folder to a safe location.
Optimization tips
- Use the
-useperfthreadsand-UseMultithreadForDSflags when starting. - Restart the server every 12-24 hours to prevent memory buildup.
- Limit the number of guilds and bases if you experience lag.
- Put the server on NVMe storage for faster load times.
Is Palworld cross-play?
Palworld supports cross-play between Steam and Xbox via dedicated servers. Use the Xbox/Game Pass version of the server for cross-play support.
How much does a Palworld server cost?
Due to the high RAM requirements, Palworld is one of the more expensive games to host. Expect 8-16 GB RAM minimum, which corresponds to a game hosting plan of 8-20 EUR per month.
Can I install mods on a Palworld server?
The modding community is growing. PAL Modding Toolkit and UE4SS are used for server-side mods. The modding ecosystem is not yet as mature as Minecraft or Rust.
Host your Palworld server at HostValues game hosting with sufficient RAM and fast hardware.
