How to turn PvP on or off on your Project Zomboid server

Turn the PVP switch under Settings, then Game Settings off to stop players hurting each other, or on to allow it. New servers start with PVP on. For a middle way, keep PVP on and turn on PvP toggle in Server Settings, so each player chooses their own PvP mode.

Switch PVP

1. Open Settings, then Game Settings.
2. Flip PVP. "Allow players to hurt and kill each other." It saves at once.
3. Click Restart now.

A middle way: the PvP toggle

With PVP on, turn on PvP toggle in the PvP safety group of the Server Settings editor. Each player then switches their own PvP mode on and off, and players can only hurt each other when one of them has it on. With PvP toggle off and PVP on, anyone can hurt anyone at any time.

1. Stop the server. Open Settings, then Server Settings.
2. In PvP safety, turn on PvP toggle. Optionally turn on Show PvP skull, and set PvP toggle time (seconds) and PvP toggle cooldown (seconds).
3. Save only or Save & start.

Every setting of the group is explained in How to change the PvP safety settings of your Project Zomboid server.

Good to know

• The panel writes PVP into the game's file at every start. Do not change it in the file.
• Safehouses protect players' buildings in other ways: How to change the safehouse settings of your Project Zomboid server.
• To remove one player, not change the rules: How to kick, ban and whitelist players on your Project Zomboid server.