# Player Slots (MaxPlayers) on Your Subnautica 2 Server (/docs/subnautica-2/player-slots)



import { Callout } from "fumadocs-ui/components/callout";

Subnautica 2's stock peer-to-peer co-op caps at **4 players**. Hosting on a Beacon-powered dedicated server raises that cap to **8 players** — the hard ceiling Beacon supports.

<Callout type="info">
  The 8-player ceiling is Beacon's, not Subnautica 2's. UWE's stock implementation caps at 4. If/when Unknown Worlds ships official dedicated server tools, the cap may change — these docs will be updated.
</Callout>

Set the player cap [#set-the-player-cap]

Edit `appsettings.json` via the panel **File Manager** and change `MaxPlayers`:

```json
{
  "MaxPlayers": 8
}
```

* **Default:** `4` (matches Subnautica 2's stock cap)
* **Maximum:** `8` (Beacon's hard ceiling; values over 8 are clamped)
* **Minimum:** `1`

Save the file and restart your server from the panel **Dashboard**.

Tier sizing recommendations [#tier-sizing-recommendations]

The host needs CPU + RAM headroom for each connected player plus Subnautica 2's world simulation. Rough guidance:

| Target players                     | Recommended tier     |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| Up to 4 (default)                  | **Starter / Novice** |
| 5–6 players                        | **Rookie**           |
| 7–8 players (Beacon max)           | **Pro / ProMax**     |
| 8 players + mods + multiple worlds | **Ultimate**         |

You can upgrade your plan mid-campaign — your save, config, and mods carry over.

What if I need more than 8? [#what-if-i-need-more-than-8]

Today: you can't. Beacon caps at 8. If you have a friend group bigger than 8, options are:

* Run two separate Subnautica 2 servers (sharing infra costs but separate worlds)
* Wait for Unknown Worlds' official dedicated server tools, which may support a different cap
* Open an issue or feature request on the [Beacon GitHub](https://github.com/HumanGenome/Beacon/issues) — the maintainer may consider raising the cap in a future release

Related [#related]

* [Dedicated Server Setup →](/docs/subnautica-2/dedicated-server-setup)
* [appsettings.json Reference →](/docs/subnautica-2/configure-your-server)
* [Troubleshooting →](/docs/subnautica-2/troubleshooting)