How to Configure Your Avorion Dedicated Server (server.ini)

Complete server.ini reference for Avorion — every setting for gameplay, difficulty, networking, administration, and performance.

All Avorion settings live in server.ini, located inside your galaxy folder.

File Location

server.ini

modconfig.lua

The path depends on your --datapath startup parameter. On XGamingServer, check Files for the galaxy folder.

⚠️ Important: The server overwrites server.ini on startup. Always stop the server before editing.

Setting	Default	Description
`Scenario`	`1`	0=Creative, 1=Normal
`Seed`	(random)	Galaxy generation seed (alphanumeric). Changing breaks existing saves!
`Difficulty`	`0`	-3=Beginner, -2=Easy, -1=Normal, 0=Veteran, 1=Expert, 2=Hardcore, 3=Insane
`HardcoreEnabled`	`false`	Permadeath mode
`InfiniteResources`	`false`	Unlimited building materials
`PlayerToPlayerDamage`	`true`	PvP toggle
`CollisionDamage`	`1`	Collision damage multiplier (0–1)
`PermaDestruction`	`false`	Ships lost forever on destruction
`Barrier`	`true`	Galaxy center barrier enabled
`Storyline`	`true`	Story missions enabled
`motd`	`""`	Message of the Day shown to joining players

Setting	Default	Description
`StartingResources`	`0`	-4 (quick start, more resources) to 0 (normal)
`ResourceAsteroidFactor`	`1`	Resource asteroid density multiplier
`ResourceWreckageFactor`	`1`	Wreckage resource multiplier
`MapFactions`	`350`	Number of NPC factions
`Rifts`	`200`	Number of rifts in the galaxy
`EventsFactor`	`1`	Random event frequency multiplier
`sameStartSector`	`true`	All players spawn in the same sector

Setting	Default	Description
`DamageMultiplier`	`1`	NPC damage multiplier
`RelationLossFactor`	`1`	Faction relation loss speed
`RelationGainFactor`	`1`	Faction relation gain speed
`InitialRelations`	`0`	-3=friendly to 3=hostile starting relations
`PreciseAIAim`	`false`	NPCs aim more accurately
`BoardingAllowed`	`true`	Allow ship boarding

Setting	Default	Description
`MaximumFightersPerSectorAndPlayer`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumStationsPerSector`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumBlocksPerCraft`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumPlayerShips`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumPlayerStations`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumAllianceShips`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumAllianceStations`	`-1`	-1=unlimited
`MaximumBlocksPerTurret`	`250`	Max blocks per turret
`PlayerInventorySlots`	`1000`	Player inventory size

Setting	Default	Description
`LogoutInvincibility`	`true`	Ships invulnerable after player logs out
`LogoutInvincibilityDelay`	`30`	Seconds before invulnerability activates
`FullBuildingUnlocked`	`false`	All building materials available from start
`DevMode`	`false`	Enable developer mode

Setting	Default	Description
`port`	`27000`	Game port (UDP+TCP)
`isListed`	`false`	Show on public server list
`vacSecure`	`true`	VAC anti-cheat
`useSteam`	`true`	Use Steam networking (recommended)
`rconPassword`	`""`	RCON password (empty = disabled)
`rconPort`	`27015`	RCON port (TCP)

Setting	Default	Description
`name`	`"Avorion Server"`	Server browser display name
`description`	`""`	Server description
`password`	`""`	Join password (empty = public)
`maxPlayers`	`10`	Max players (always +1 admin slot)
`pausable`	`false`	Allow server pausing
`accessListMode`	`"Blacklist"`	`"Blacklist"` or `"Whitelist"`

Setting	Default	Description
`saveInterval`	`600`	Auto-save interval in seconds (10 min)
`workerThreads`	`25`	Simulation threads — limit to CPU core count
`generatorThreads`	`2`	Sector generation threads
`aliveSectorsPerPlayer`	`5`	Extra sectors kept in memory per player
`backups`	`true`	Enable hourly backups
`backupsPath`	`""`	Custom backup path
`sectorUpdateTimeLimit`	`300`	Seconds before unloading inactive sectors

Value	Name	NPC Damage to Player	Notes
-3	Beginner	2.5%	Neighbor factions always friendly
-2	Easy	7.5%	Reduced aggression
-1	Normal	20%	Standard experience
0	Veteran	40%	Default — challenging combat
1	Expert	60%	Enemies use advanced tactics
2	Hardcore	80%	Perma-destruction possible
3	Insane	100%	Maximum challenge

Port	Protocol	Default	Purpose
Game	UDP + TCP	27000	Player connections
Query	UDP	27003	Server listing
Steam Query	UDP	27020	Steam browser
Steam	UDP	27021	Steam networking
RCON	TCP	27015	Remote console (if enabled)

📝 Note: Direct IP connect only works on port 27000. Using a different port requires Steam networking.