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How to change the difficulty of your Project Zomboid server

Project ZomboidUpdated Oct 18, 20263 min read

The fastest way to change how hard your Project Zomboid server is, is to apply a game preset in Sandbox Settings: Rising is the gentlest, Apocalypse is the standard, Outbreak gives more time to settle in, and Extinction is the hardest. Then adjust the settings below that matter most to you.

Start from a preset

  1. Stop the server. Open Settings, then Sandbox Settings under Config files.
  2. Under Start from a preset, choose a preset and click Apply preset.

Details and what each preset changes: How to choose a sandbox preset for your Project Zomboid server.

The settings that change difficulty most

WhatWhereSetting
How many zombiesGame SettingsZombie Population, Zombie Respawn
How fast, strong and tough they areSandbox Settings, ZombiesSpeed, Strength, Toughness, Sight, Hearing, Memory
How dangerous a bite isSandbox Settings, ZombiesHow the infection spreads, Time from infection to death
How much loot there isSandbox Settings, Lootthe multipliers per category; Loot Respawn (hours) under Game Settings
How long modern comforts lastSandbox Settings, WorldWater shutoff, Power shutoff
How fast players level upSandbox Settings, CharacterExperience rate, Free trait points, Starter kit
How harsh survival isSandbox Settings, CharacterHunger, thirst and fatigue, Injury severity, Broken bones, Food spoilage
CarsSandbox Settings, VehiclesVehicles, How many vehicles, Starting fuel
Players hurting each otherGame Settings and Server SettingsPVP, PvP toggle

Guides for each part

Good to know

  • Most rules apply from the next start. The start date and the months since the outbreak only matter in a new world.
  • Changing difficulty in the middle of a playthrough surprises players. Tell them first, and take a backup: How to back up and restore your Project Zomboid world.

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