# How to Enable PvE Mode on Your Duckside Server (/docs/duckside/enable-pve)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Duckside is PvP by default — if you want a chiller experience for friends, casuals, or RP, you can switch the server to **PvE** (no player-vs-player damage) or use **Partial PvE** (PvP only in the central high-loot zone, PvE everywhere else).

The Three Modes [#the-three-modes]

| Mode              | Center Map | Outer Map | Best For                                                 |
| ----------------- | ---------- | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **PvP** (default) | PvP        | PvP       | Standard Duckside experience                             |
| **PvE**           | PvE        | PvE       | Friends-only, build/explore servers                      |
| **Partial PvE**   | PvP        | PvE       | Best of both — risk in the center, safety in outer zones |

Partial PvE is the most popular middle-ground for community servers because it preserves the high-stakes loot loop in the contested center while letting casual players and base builders work in peace.

Switch to PvE [#switch-to-pve]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server]

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), stop your Duckside server from **Console**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the Startup tab (or settings file) [#open-the-startup-tab-or-settings-file]

    If your panel exposes a **PvE Enabled** dropdown in **Startup**, use that. Otherwise, open the server config file in **Files** and find the PvE setting.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Set the mode [#set-the-mode]

    Choose one of:

    * `PvE` — full PvE, no player damage anywhere
    * `Partial PvE` — PvP center, PvE outer zones
    * `PvP` — default, full PvP everywhere
  </Step>

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

    Start the server. The new mode applies immediately to all connecting players.
  </Step>
</Steps>

What "PvE" Actually Disables [#what-pve-actually-disables]

In PvE mode:

* ✅ Players can't damage each other directly
* ✅ Players can't damage each other's builds or storage
* ✅ Wild AI ducks and mission bots **still** attack you — PvE just removes player-to-player damage
* ✅ Loot drops on death still happen (but only from environmental death)

In Partial PvE, the rules above apply only to the **outer zones** of the map. The central area still allows full PvP, base damage, and looting.

Friendly Fire (PvP Servers Only) [#friendly-fire-pvp-servers-only]

If you want to keep your server PvP but disable team-mate damage, use the in-game admin command instead:

```
/ff
```

This toggles friendly fire on/off without changing the overall PvP/PvE mode. See [Admin Commands](/docs/duckside/admin-commands).

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                                                | Fix                                                                                                                                |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Setting doesn't apply                                  | Make sure you fully **stopped** the server before editing — Duckside writes the config on shutdown and overwrites your changes     |
| Players still take damage from each other in PvE       | Confirm the dropdown actually saved (refresh the panel page) and that you restarted, not just reloaded                             |
| Wild ducks/bots still attack                           | Expected — PvE only disables player-vs-player, not player-vs-AI                                                                    |
| Partial PvE — players damage each other in outer zones | Double-check you set "Partial PvE" not "PvP". Also verify with your players that they were actually outside the central PvP circle |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Configure Your Server](/docs/duckside/configure-your-server)
* [Admin Commands](/docs/duckside/admin-commands)
* [Set a Password](/docs/duckside/set-a-password)