How do I set up a V Rising server?

V Rising lets you play as a vampire building a castle, hunting for blood and conquering territory. A dedicated server gives your clan a persistent world that stays online around the clock. You can host one on a HostValues VPS with at least 4 GB of RAM.

Installation

Install SteamCMD on your server.
Download the V Rising dedicated server: steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/vrising/server +login anonymous +app_update 1829350 validate +quit
Copy the example settings files from VRisingServer_Data/StreamingAssets/Settings/ to a new folder you will use as your save directory.
Edit ServerHostSettings.json to set the server name, password, port (default 9876) and max players.
Edit ServerGameSettings.json to choose PvP or PvE mode, castle decay timers, clan size and drop rules.
Start the server with: ./VRisingServer.exe -persistentDataPath ./save-data -serverName "Your Server" (on Linux, use Proton or Wine).
Open UDP ports 9876 and 9877 in your firewall.

PvP vs PvE settings

In the game settings file you control whether players can raid each other's castles, what times raids are allowed (siege windows), how fast castle hearts decay when unattended, and whether gear drops on death. PvE servers disable player damage entirely and focus on cooperative boss hunting.

Server administration

Add Steam IDs to adminlist.txt in the save directory to grant admin rights. Admins can teleport, spawn items and kick players from the in-game console. A separate banlist.txt lets you block troublemakers permanently.

Backups and restarts

The server saves the world periodically, but you should also back up the entire save directory before applying updates or changing settings. Run the server inside tmux or configure a systemd unit so it starts on boot and restarts automatically after a crash. A daily restart script helps clear memory and keeps the server responsive for long-running sessions.

What game mode should I pick for a new community?

PvE is friendlier for beginners and small groups. PvP with limited siege hours works well for competitive communities. The Duo PvP preset limits clans to two players, which keeps raids balanced on smaller servers.

How does castle decay work?

Castle hearts consume Blood Essence over time. When the heart runs out, the castle starts decaying and eventually becomes raidable by anyone. You can adjust the decay rate and the time before decay begins in the server settings.

Can I run V Rising on Linux?

The dedicated server is a Windows binary. On Linux you run it through Proton or Wine. Most hosting communities report stable performance with Proton GE. Make sure to use a 64-bit prefix.