Enshrouded is a survival action RPG set in a vast voxel world. A dedicated server lets up to 16 players explore, build and fight together without relying on a host player being online. A HostValues VPS with at least 8 GB of RAM is a solid starting point.
Server requirements
The dedicated server runs on Windows or Linux via Proton. Minimum specs: 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM and 30 GB of disk space. For a full 16-player server, 16 GB of RAM is recommended.
Installation on Linux
- Install SteamCMD and create a dedicated user for the server.
- Download the server:
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/enshrouded/server +login anonymous +app_update 2278520 validate +quit - The server binary needs Proton or Wine to run on Linux. Install Proton GE or use the SteamCMD compatibility tools.
- Edit
enshrouded_server.jsonin the server directory. Set the server name, password, maximum player count and game port (default 15636). - Start the server and open UDP port 15636 in your firewall:
ufw allow 15636/udp
World and gameplay settings
The JSON config file controls difficulty presets, enemy scaling, resource multipliers, day/night length and tombstone behavior. You can choose between Default, Relaxed, Hard and Survival presets, or define custom values for each parameter.
Connecting and managing players
Players find the server in the in-game server browser or connect directly with the IP and port. The server saves world progress automatically. You can add players to an admin list in the config to grant them kick and ban privileges.
Backups and persistence
World saves are stored in the server directory under savegame. Set up a cron job or a simple script to copy this folder to a backup location daily. If a world becomes corrupted after a crash, you can restore from the latest backup by replacing the savegame folder and restarting the server. Run the server process inside tmux or as a systemd service so it survives SSH disconnects and reboots.
Can I run Enshrouded on a Linux VPS?
Yes, but the dedicated server is a Windows application. You need Proton or Wine to run it on Linux. Performance is comparable to Windows when using Proton GE with the correct prefix configured.
How much RAM does an Enshrouded server need?
For 1 to 4 players, 8 GB is enough. A full 16-player server with extensive building should have 16 GB. The voxel terrain system uses more memory as players reshape the world.
Does the world reset when I update the server?
No. Updates preserve your world save. However, it is always wise to back up the save folder before applying a major patch, in case the update changes terrain generation in ways that affect existing bases.