# Abiotic Factor Server Settings Reference (/docs/abiotic-factor/sandbox-settings)









import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { File, Folder, Files } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/files';

Abiotic Factor sandbox settings (difficulty, enemies, survival, etc.) are configured when **creating a new world**. On dedicated servers, common settings can be adjusted via the **Startup** tab.

<img alt="Startup tab with Abiotic Factor variables" src={__img0} placeholder="blur" />

Server Config Files [#server-config-files]

The actual config files on the server are:

<Files>
  <Folder name="AbioticFactor" defaultOpen>
    <Folder name="Saved" defaultOpen>
      <Folder name="Config" defaultOpen>
        <Folder name="WindowsServer" defaultOpen>
          <File name="GameUserSettings.ini" />

          <File name="Settings.ini" />
        </Folder>
      </Folder>

      <Folder name="SaveGames" defaultOpen>
        <Folder name="Server" defaultOpen>
          <File name="Admin.ini" />

          <Folder name="Worlds">
            <Folder name="Cascade">
              <File name="(save files)" />
            </Folder>
          </Folder>
        </Folder>
      </Folder>
    </Folder>
  </Folder>
</Files>

<img alt="File Manager showing server structure" src={__img1} placeholder="blur" />

GameUserSettings.ini [#gameusersettingsini]

Located at `AbioticFactor/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/GameUserSettings.ini`. Contains crossplay settings:

<img alt="GameUserSettings.ini in editor" src={__img2} placeholder="blur" />

```ini
[/Script/AbioticFactor.AbioticGameUserSettings]
CrossplaySetting=PartialCrossplay
```

Admin.ini [#adminini]

Located at `AbioticFactor/Saved/SaveGames/Server/Admin.ini`. Contains moderators and ban list:

```ini
[Moderators]
Moderator=76561198275961123
Moderator=76561198159459332

[BannedPlayers]
BannedPlayer=ExampleBanID1
```

How Sandbox Settings Work [#how-sandbox-settings-work]

Sandbox settings (difficulty, enemies, survival rates, etc.) are **set at world creation** and stored inside the world save data. There is no auto-generated `SandboxSettings.ini` file.

Change Settings on an Existing World (-SandboxIniPath) [#change-settings-on-an-existing-world--sandboxinipath]

To override sandbox settings **without wiping your world**, use the `-SandboxIniPath` launch parameter:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Create a SandboxSettings.ini file [#create-a-sandboxsettingsini-file]

    In **Files**, create a new file in the server root called `SandboxSettings.ini`. Add only the settings you want to override:

    ```ini
    [SandboxSettings]
    EnemySpawnRate=0.7
    EnemyHealthMultiplier=0.75
    EnemyPlayerDamageMultiplier=0.5
    HungerSpeedMultiplier=0.5
    PlayerXPGainMultiplier=2.0
    DeathPenalties=0
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Add the launch parameter [#add-the-launch-parameter]

    In the **Startup** tab, add to the extra startup parameters:

    ```
    -SandboxIniPath=../../SandboxSettings.ini
    ```

    The path is relative to the `Saved/` folder. Adjust based on where you placed the file.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Restart the server [#restart-the-server]

    Settings in the file override what's stored in the save. The world is preserved.
  </Step>
</Steps>

> This is the preferred method for changing settings on established servers without losing progress.

Start Fresh with New Settings [#start-fresh-with-new-settings]

To create a new world with different sandbox settings, see [Start a New World](/docs/abiotic-factor/new-world).

***

Difficulty & Hardcore [#difficulty--hardcore]

| Setting          | Default | Values                          | Description                                                   |
| ---------------- | ------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `GameDifficulty` | `1`     | 1=Normal, 2=Hard, 3=Apocalyptic | How many enemies, their aggression, and combat reaction speed |
| `HardcoreMode`   | `False` | True/False                      | One life only — forces Apocalyptic difficulty                 |
| `AllowIronMode`  | `True`  | True/False                      | Requires HardcoreMode=True                                    |

Enemy Settings [#enemy-settings]

| Setting                           | Default | Range    | Description                                     |
| --------------------------------- | ------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `EnemySpawnRate`                  | `1.0`   | 0.5–3.0  | How frequently enemies respawn                  |
| `EnemyHealthMultiplier`           | `1.0`   | 0.75–3.0 | Enemy health multiplier                         |
| `EnemyPlayerDamageMultiplier`     | `1.0`   | 0.25–3.0 | How much damage enemies deal to players         |
| `EnemyDeployableDamageMultiplier` | `1.0`   | 0.1–5.0  | How much damage enemies deal to structures      |
| `DetectionSpeedMultiplier`        | `1.0`   | 0.1–3.0  | How fast enemies detect players                 |
| `EnemyAccuracy`                   | `2`     | 0–4      | 0=Pathetic, 1=Low, 2=Default, 3=High, 4=Precise |

Player Survival [#player-survival]

| Setting                     | Default | Range     | Description                                 |
| --------------------------- | ------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `HungerSpeedMultiplier`     | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0   | How fast hunger increases (0=disabled)      |
| `ThirstSpeedMultiplier`     | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0   | How fast thirst increases                   |
| `FatigueSpeedMultiplier`    | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0   | How fast fatigue increases                  |
| `ContinenceSpeedMultiplier` | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0   | How fast the toilet need drains             |
| `DamageToAlliesMultiplier`  | `0.5`   | 0.0–3.0   | Friendly fire damage (0=disabled)           |
| `PlayerXPGainMultiplier`    | `1.0`   | 0.0–3.0   | XP gain speed                               |
| `BonusPerkPoints`           | `0`     | -20 to 50 | Additional perk points on top of job points |

Death & Respawn [#death--respawn]

| Setting                           | Default | Description                                                                              |
| --------------------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `DeathPenalties`                  | `1`     | See [Death Penalty Options](/docs/abiotic-factor/death-penalty-options) for all 6 levels |
| `DurabilityLossOnDeathMultiplier` | `0.1`   | How much durability items lose on death (0.0–1.0)                                        |
| `ShowDeathMessages`               | `True`  | Notify players when someone dies                                                         |
| `HostAccessPlayerCorpses`         | `True`  | Host can access death bags                                                               |

Items & Inventory [#items--inventory]

| Setting                    | Default | Range      | Description                           |
| -------------------------- | ------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `ItemStackSizeMultiplier`  | `1.0`   | 1.0–30.0   | How many items fit per inventory slot |
| `ItemWeightMultiplier`     | `1.0`   | 0.0–5.0    | How heavy items are (0=weightless)    |
| `ItemDurabilityMultiplier` | `1.0`   | 0.1–10.0   | How long items last before breaking   |
| `BaseInventorySize`        | `12`    | 0–42       | Inventory slots without a backpack    |
| `StorageByTag`             | `True`  | True/False | Restrict containers by item type      |

World & Environment [#world--environment]

| Setting                                | Default | Values                                               | Description                                             |
| -------------------------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `LootRespawnEnabled`                   | `False` | True/False                                           | Resources spontaneously respawn                         |
| `PowerSocketsOffAtNight`               | `True`  | True/False                                           | Facility power off at night                             |
| `DayNightCycleState`                   | `0`     | 0=Normal, 1=Always Day, 2=Always Night               | Day/night cycle mode                                    |
| `DayNightCycleSpeedMultiplier`         | `1.0`   | 0.1–3.0                                              | How fast the day/night cycle runs                       |
| `WeatherFrequency`                     | `3`     | 1=Never, 2=Infrequent, 3=Normal, 4=Frequent, 5=Daily | Weather event frequency                                 |
| `FoodSpoilSpeedMultiplier`             | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0                                              | How fast food spoils                                    |
| `RefrigerationEffectivenessMultiplier` | `1.0`   | 0.0–2.0                                              | How effective refrigeration is                          |
| `SinkRefillRate`                       | `1.0`   | 0–10.0                                               | How fast sinks refill                                   |
| `TaintedSinkWater`                     | `False` | True/False                                           | Sink water becomes tainted                              |
| `RadiationDealsDamage`                 | `False` | True/False                                           | Radiation actively damages health                       |
| `InvisibleRadiation`                   | `False` | True/False                                           | Hide radiation screen effects (requires Geiger Counter) |

Building & Structures [#building--structures]

| Setting                      | Default | Values               | Description                         |
| ---------------------------- | ------- | -------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `StructuralSupportLimit`     | `5`     | 0=unlimited          | How many structures can be stacked  |
| `BridgeSupports`             | `2`     | 0=None, 1=One, 2=Two | Bridge support requirements         |
| `PlayerFurnitureDestruction` | `False` | True/False           | Furniture destroyed at 0 durability |
| `HomeWorlds`                 | `True`  | True/False           | Allow Home Worlds                   |

Features & Quality of Life [#features--quality-of-life]

| Setting                   | Default | Description                                                                         |
| ------------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `AllowRecipeSharing`      | `True`  | Share item recipes with other players                                               |
| `AllowPagers`             | `True`  | Enable pager use                                                                    |
| `AllowTransmog`           | `True`  | Allow armor transmogrification                                                      |
| `DisableResearchMinigame` | `False` | Skip research minigames — unlock recipes instantly                                  |
| `AllowCharacterReset`     | `True`  | Allow job/skill/trait respec                                                        |
| `FirstTimeStartingWeapon` | `0`     | 0=None, 1=Shiv, 2=Desk Leg, 3=Kitchen Knife, 4=Starter Baton, 5=Pipe Club, 6=Random |

***

Popular Configurations [#popular-configurations]

Casual PvE [#casual-pve]

```ini
[SandboxSettings]
GameDifficulty=1
EnemySpawnRate=0.7
EnemyPlayerDamageMultiplier=0.5
HungerSpeedMultiplier=0.5
ThirstSpeedMultiplier=0.5
DeathPenalties=0
PlayerXPGainMultiplier=2.0
ItemStackSizeMultiplier=3.0
```

Hard Survival [#hard-survival]

```ini
[SandboxSettings]
GameDifficulty=3
EnemySpawnRate=2.0
EnemyHealthMultiplier=1.5
HungerSpeedMultiplier=1.5
ThirstSpeedMultiplier=1.5
DeathPenalties=4
RadiationDealsDamage=True
```

> 💡 **Tip:** Each world has its own `SandboxSettings.ini`, so you can run different settings on different worlds by changing `-WorldSaveName`.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Difficulty & Enemy Settings](/docs/abiotic-factor/difficulty-settings)
* [Death Penalty Options](/docs/abiotic-factor/death-penalty-options)
* [Admin Setup](/docs/abiotic-factor/admin-setup)
* [Crossplay](/docs/abiotic-factor/crossplay)