# How to Change the Difficulty on Your Killing Floor 2 Server (/docs/killing-floor-2/change-difficulty)



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

Killing Floor 2 has four difficulty levels that dramatically change the gameplay experience. Higher difficulties increase Zed health, damage, spawn rates, and introduce new attack patterns. You can set the difficulty via config file, startup parameters, or admin commands.

Difficulty Levels [#difficulty-levels]

| Level             | Value | Description                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------- | ----- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Normal**        | `0`   | Standard difficulty. Zeds have base health and damage. Recommended for new players and casual play.                                               |
| **Hard**          | `1`   | Increased Zed health and damage. Zeds move faster and are more aggressive. Good for experienced players.                                          |
| **Suicidal**      | `2`   | Significantly harder. Zeds have enhanced attacks, faster movement, and some gain new abilities. Teamwork is essential.                            |
| **Hell on Earth** | `3`   | The hardest difficulty. Zeds deal massive damage, have the most health, and use all available attack patterns. Only for highly coordinated teams. |

Changing Difficulty via Config [#changing-difficulty-via-config]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop your Killing Floor 2 server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Navigate to the config file [#2-navigate-to-the-config-file]

    In the sidebar, go to `Files` and navigate to `KFGame` > `Config`. Open `PCServer-KFGame.ini`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the difficulty [#3-set-the-difficulty]

    Find the `[KFGame.KFGameInfo]` section and change the `GameDifficulty` value:

    ```ini
    [KFGame.KFGameInfo]
    GameDifficulty=2
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#4-save-and-restart]

    Click **Save** and start your server.
  </div>
</div>

Changing Difficulty via Startup Parameters [#changing-difficulty-via-startup-parameters]

You can also set the difficulty using startup parameters in the `Startup` tab on the XGamingServer panel:

```
KF-BurningParis?Difficulty=2?GameLength=2
```

> 📝 **Note:** Startup parameters override config file values. If you set `?Difficulty=2` in the startup line, it will take priority over the `GameDifficulty` value in `PCServer-KFGame.ini`.

Wave Length Settings [#wave-length-settings]

In addition to difficulty, you can control how many waves players must survive:

| Length     | Value | Waves           |
| ---------- | ----- | --------------- |
| **Short**  | `0`   | 4 waves + boss  |
| **Medium** | `1`   | 7 waves + boss  |
| **Long**   | `2`   | 10 waves + boss |

Set the wave length in `PCServer-KFGame.ini`:

```ini
[KFGame.KFGameInfo]
GameLength=2
```

Or via startup parameters:

```
KF-BurningParis?GameLength=2
```

> 💡 **Tip:** For public servers, **Medium** length on **Hard** difficulty is the most popular combination. It provides a good challenge without being too long or too punishing. **Short** games on **Suicidal** or **Hell on Earth** are great for quick, intense sessions.

Difficulty and Zed Behavior [#difficulty-and-zed-behavior]

Here's a breakdown of how difficulty affects Zed behavior:

| Mechanic        | Normal | Hard     | Suicidal | Hell on Earth |
| --------------- | ------ | -------- | -------- | ------------- |
| Zed Health      | Base   | +25%     | +50%     | +75%          |
| Zed Damage      | Base   | +30%     | +75%     | +112.5%       |
| Zed Speed       | Slow   | Moderate | Fast     | Very Fast     |
| Sprint Chance   | Low    | Medium   | High     | Very High     |
| Special Attacks | Basic  | Some     | Most     | All           |
| Boss Health     | Base   | +20%     | +50%     | +65%          |

> 📝 **Note:** These values are approximate and may vary between Killing Floor 2 updates. Tripwire regularly adjusts difficulty balancing.

Changing Difficulty In-Game [#changing-difficulty-in-game]

If you have [admin access](/docs/killing-floor-2/adding-admins), you can change the difficulty through [WebAdmin](/docs/killing-floor-2/adding-admins) while the server is running. The change will take effect on the next map or wave start.

Recommended Difficulty Settings [#recommended-difficulty-settings]

| Audience          | Difficulty        | Length     | Notes                                |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------ |
| New players       | Normal (0)        | Short (0)  | Learn the basics without frustration |
| Casual groups     | Hard (1)          | Medium (1) | Good challenge, manageable length    |
| Experienced teams | Suicidal (2)      | Long (2)   | Tests teamwork and perk knowledge    |
| Hardcore players  | Hell on Earth (3) | Long (2)   | Maximum challenge, full commitment   |

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).