How To Configure Your Barotrauma Server

Complete guide to configuring your Barotrauma dedicated server using serversettings.xml — all settings explained.

Barotrauma server configuration is managed through the serversettings.xml file in your server's root directory.

⚠️ Important: Always stop your server before editing serversettings.xml. The server overwrites this file on shutdown — any edits made while it is running will be lost.

Using the Panel Startup Settings

For common settings, use the panel's Startup page:

Log in to the XGamingServer Panel
Click Startup in the sidebar
Adjust fields like Server Name, Max Players, Password, and Port
Restart from the Console page

📝 Note: Startup parameters take priority over serversettings.xml. If a setting won't stick, check the Startup page first.

Editing serversettings.xml

Stop Your Server

Make sure your server is fully stopped before editing.

Open Files

In the sidebar, click Files and open serversettings.xml.

Server Identity & Visibility

Setting	Description	Default
`name`	Server name shown in the browser	`"Server"`
`public`	List publicly in the server browser	`true`
`Password`	Join password — leave blank for open access	(empty)
`ServerMessage`	Welcome message shown to connecting players	(empty)
`playstyle`	Browser tag: `Casual`, `Serious`, `Roleplay`, `Rampage`, `SomethingDifferent`	`Casual`

Network

Setting	Description	Default
`port`	Main UDP game port	`27015`
`queryport`	Steam query/server browser port	`27016`
`MaxPlayers`	Maximum simultaneous players	`16`
`tickrate`	Server update rate (ticks per second)	`20`

📝 Note: On XGamingServer, ports are assigned by the panel — do not change these values manually.

Gameplay

Setting	Description	Default
`gamemodeidentifier`	Active mode: `sandbox`, `mission`, `campaign`	`sandbox`
`Submarine`	Submarine filename without `.sub` extension (case-sensitive)	`Humpback`
`LevelDifficulty`	Difficulty 0–100	`20`
`randomizeseed`	Randomize the level seed each round	`true`
`AllowSpectating`	Allow spectator slots	`true`
`AllowFriendlyFire`	Enable player-to-player damage	`true`
`AllowRewiring`	Allow players to rewire electrical systems	`true`
`AllowDisguises`	Allow disguise items to work	`true`

Respawn Settings

Setting	Description	Default
`AllowRespawn`	Global respawn toggle	`true`
`UseRespawnShuttle`	Dead players arrive via shuttle instead of teleporting	`true`
`RespawnInterval`	Seconds between respawn waves	`300`
`MaxTransportTime`	Max time (seconds) the respawn shuttle has to reach the sub	`180`
`MinRespawnRatio`	Fraction of crew that must be dead before a respawn wave triggers	`0.2`

Bots

Setting	Description	Default
`botcount`	Current number of AI bots	`0`
`maxbotcount`	Maximum allowed bots	`16`
`BotSpawnMode`	`Normal` — fill missing crew slots; `Fill` — always fill to max	`Normal`

Voting & Kick

Setting	Description	Default
`AllowVoteKick`	Enable vote-kick	`true`
`AllowEndVoting`	Enable vote to end a round	`true`
`kickvoterequiredratio`	Fraction of players needed to pass a kick vote	`0.6`
`endvoterequiredratio`	Fraction needed to end the round by vote	`0.6`

Auto-Management

Setting	Description	Default
`autorestart`	Automatically restart when server is empty	`false`
`autorestartinterval`	Seconds to wait before auto-restarting	`60`
`StartWhenClientsReady`	Start round when enough players ready up	`true`
`StartWhenClientsReadyRatio`	Fraction of connected players that must be ready	`0.8`
`KillDisconnectedTime`	Seconds before killing a disconnected player's character	`30`
`KickAFKTime`	Seconds of inactivity before AFK kick	`120`

Traitors

Setting	Description	Default
`TraitorsEnabled`	`Yes`, `No`, or `Maybe` (random chance per round)	`No`
`TraitorRatio`	If `Maybe`, probability a traitor is assigned (0.0–1.0)	`0.2`

💡 Tip: Set TraitorsEnabled="Maybe" and TraitorRatio="0.3" for occasional traitor rounds without guaranteeing one every game.

Karma

Setting	Description	Default
`KarmaEnabled`	Enable the karma anti-griefing system	`false`
`KarmaPreset`	`Default` (lenient) or `Strict`	`Default`

See the Karma System guide for full details.

Auto-Ban

Setting	Description	Default
`autobantime`	Duration (minutes) of first automatic karma ban	`60`
`maxautobantime`	Maximum auto-ban duration in minutes	`360`

Example Configuration

<serversettings
  name="My Barotrauma Server"
  public="true"
  MaxPlayers="16"
  Password=""
  playstyle="Casual"
  gamemodeidentifier="mission"
  Submarine="Humpback"
  LevelDifficulty="30"
  AllowRespawn="true"
  UseRespawnShuttle="true"
  RespawnInterval="300"
  AllowFriendlyFire="true"
  AllowRewiring="true"
  AllowVoteKick="true"
  TraitorsEnabled="Maybe"
  TraitorRatio="0.2"
  KarmaEnabled="true"
  KarmaPreset="Default"
  autobantime="60"
  maxautobantime="360"
/>

Save and Restart

Save the file and start your server.

💡 Tip: Need help with a specific setting? Join our Discord for support.

How To Configure Your Barotrauma Server

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