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How to change the loot settings of your Project Zomboid server

Project ZomboidUpdated Oct 18, 20266 min read

The Loot group has one multiplier per kind of item, from 0 to 4: a higher number means more of that kind of item, and the table shows the value a new server starts with. The group also sets how many buildings are already looted when the world starts. Loot that comes back after a while is Loot Respawn (hours) under Game Settings, and items you never want to see are Banned Item IDs there.

Open the editor

  1. Open your server in the panel and click the Settings tab.
  2. In the list on the left, under Config files, click Sandbox Settings. The file name is shown at the top.
  3. If the list says No config files yet, start the server once. The game writes its sandbox file the first time it runs.
The Config files list on the Project Zomboid Settings page with Server Settings and Sandbox Settings

The editor only saves while the server is stopped. Stop the server, change the settings below, then click Save only or Save & start. The full steps are in How to change Project Zomboid sandbox settings in the panel. Headings such as Loot appear in capitals in the editor. The editor shows Build 42 files only: on a Build 41 server it opens with a message that the file is from a different build, see Project Zomboid Sandbox Settings says the file is from a different build.

Every setting in Loot

SettingWhat it doesValuesA new server starts with
Perishable foodAny food that can rot or spoil.A number from 0 to 40.8
Canned food and drinksCanned and dried food, beverages.A number from 0 to 40.6
Melee weaponsWeapons that are not tools in other categories.A number from 0 to 40.6
GunsFirearms, including weapon attachments.A number from 0 to 41.2
AmmunitionLoose ammo, boxes and magazines.A number from 0 to 40.6
Medical suppliesMedicine, bandages and first aid tools.A number from 0 to 40.6
Reading materialAll other items that can be read, including books, fliers, and newspapers.A number from 0 to 40.6
Skill booksBooks that provide skill XP multipliers.A number from 0 to 40.6
Recipe magazinesItems that teach recipes.A number from 0 to 40.6
Survival gearFishing Rods, Tents, camping gear etc.A number from 0 to 40.6
Vehicle partsVehicle parts and the tools needed to install them.A number from 0 to 40.6
ToolsItems and weapons which are Tools but don't fit in other categories such as Mechanics or Farming.A number from 0 to 40.6
Building materialsItems and weapons that are used as ingredients for crafting or building. This is a general category that does not include items belonging to other categories such as Cookware or Medical. Does not include Tools.A number from 0 to 40.6
Farming suppliesItems and weapons which are used in both animal and plant agriculture, such as Seeds, Trowels, or Shovels.A number from 0 to 40.6
CookwareItems that are used in cooking, including those (eg. knives) which can be weapons. Does not include food. Includes both usable and unusable items.A number from 0 to 40.6
ClothingAll wearable items that are not containers.A number from 0 to 40.6
Bags and containersBackpacks and other wearable/equippable containers, eg. cases.A number from 0 to 40.6
KeysKeys for buildings/cars, key rings, and locks.A number from 0 to 40.4
Tapes and CDsVHS tapes and CDs.A number from 0 to 40.6
KeepsakesSpiffo items, plushies, and other collectible keepsake items eg. Photos.A number from 0 to 40.6
Everything elseEverything else. Also affects foraging for all items in Town/Road zones.A number from 0 to 40.8
Already-looted buildings (%)The chance that a building has already been looted when players find it.A whole number from 0 to 20025
Days until the most buildings are lootedHow long it takes for Maximum Looted Building Chance to be reached.A whole number from 0 to 365090
Rural looted chanceThe chance that a building in the countryside has already been looted when players find it.A number from 0 to 20.5
Full containers do not respawnContainers with a number of items greater, or equal to, this setting will not respawn.A whole number from 0 to 21474836475
No respawn in player-built housesItems will not respawn in buildings that players have barricaded or built in.On or offOn
No respawn in recently visited areas (hours)When greater than 0, loot will not respawn in zones that have been visited within this number of in-game hours.A whole number from 0 to 21474836470

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