Hytale Server Settings and Configuration

Hytale Server Configuration

This guide covers all configurable settings for your Hytale server. Understanding these options lets you tailor the gameplay experience to your community’s preferences.

Configuration File Location

Hytale server settings are stored in a configuration file accessible through the RespawnHost panel:

1. Open your server in the panel.
2. Go to File Manager.
3. Navigate to the server root directory.
4. Open the server configuration file for editing.

You can also edit configuration files via SFTP if you prefer an external editor.

Core Server Settings

Server Identity

server-name=My Hytale Server
server-description=A Hytale server hosted on RespawnHost
motd=Welcome to our Hytale server

Setting	Default	Description
server-name	Hytale Server	Display name in the server browser
server-description	(empty)	Short description shown to players
motd	(empty)	Message of the Day shown on connect

Player Management

max-players=20
reserved-slots=2
whitelist-enabled=false

Setting	Default	Description
max-players	20	Maximum concurrent players
reserved-slots	0	Slots reserved for admins/operators
whitelist-enabled	false	Only whitelisted players can join

Network Settings

server-port=25565
max-packet-size=2097152
connection-timeout=30000

Setting	Default	Description
server-port	25565	Network port for connections
max-packet-size	2097152	Maximum packet size in bytes
connection-timeout	30000	Timeout in milliseconds

Gameplay Settings

Difficulty

difficulty=normal

Value	Effect
peaceful	No hostile creatures spawn. Players cannot take combat damage from mobs.
easy	Hostile creatures spawn with reduced damage. Lower health mobs.
normal	Standard gameplay. Balanced challenge for most players.
hard	Increased mob damage and health. Higher spawn rates. Resources are scarcer.

PvP

pvp-enabled=false
pvp-friendly-fire=false

Setting	Default	Description
pvp-enabled	false	Allow players to damage each other
pvp-friendly-fire	false	Allow damage to party/team members

On PvP-enabled servers, combat between players follows Hytale’s combat mechanics including blocking, dodging, and weapon-specific abilities.

Game Mode

default-gamemode=adventure

Value	Description
adventure	Core PvE mode. Explore Orbis, fight creatures, complete dungeons.
creative	Unlimited building resources. No health or hunger.
minigame	Custom minigame mode with round-based gameplay.

Individual players can be assigned different game modes using admin commands. See Admin Commands for details.

World Settings

World Generation

world-seed=
world-type=default
generate-structures=true
world-border-size=0

Setting	Default	Description
world-seed	(random)	Seed for world generation. Leave empty for random.
world-type	default	World generation type
generate-structures	true	Generate dungeons, temples, and landmarks
world-border-size	0	World border radius in blocks. 0 = unlimited.

For details on Orbis zones and biomes, see World Management.

Spawn Settings

spawn-protection-radius=16
spawn-monsters=true
spawn-animals=true
monster-spawn-rate=normal
animal-spawn-rate=normal

Setting	Default	Description
spawn-protection-radius	16	Block radius around spawn where only admins can build
spawn-monsters	true	Allow hostile creatures to spawn
spawn-animals	true	Allow passive creatures to spawn
monster-spawn-rate	normal	Hostile spawn frequency: low, normal, high
animal-spawn-rate	normal	Passive spawn frequency: low, normal, high

Performance Settings

View Distance and Rendering

view-distance=10
entity-activation-range=32

Setting	Default	Description
view-distance	10	Chunk render distance (4-32). Lower values improve performance.
entity-activation-range	32	Distance at which entities become active (blocks)

Lowering view distance is the most effective way to reduce RAM and CPU usage on servers with many players. See RAM Requirements for guidance.

Tick Rate

tick-rate=20

Value	Effect
10	Half speed. Reduces CPU usage significantly. Entities move slowly.
20	Standard. Smooth gameplay at full speed.
30	Above standard. Requires more CPU. Not recommended for most servers.

Applying Configuration Changes

Most settings require a server restart to take effect:

1. Save the configuration file in the File Manager.
2. Stop the server.
3. Start the server.

Some settings, like player counts and whitelist, may be applied with a soft reload through the console.

Example Configuration

Below is a sample configuration for a medium-sized PvE adventure server:

server-name=Orbis Adventures
server-description=A friendly Hytale PvE community
motd=Welcome to Orbis Adventures -- Explore, build, conquer!

max-players=25
reserved-slots=3
whitelist-enabled=false

difficulty=normal
pvp-enabled=false
default-gamemode=adventure

world-seed=
world-type=default
generate-structures=true
world-border-size=0

spawn-protection-radius=32
spawn-monsters=true
spawn-animals=true
monster-spawn-rate=normal
animal-spawn-rate=normal

view-distance=12
entity-activation-range=32
tick-rate=20

server-port=25565

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart the server after every config change?

Yes, most changes require a restart. A few settings can be applied with a console reload command. Check the console output after saving to see if a restart is required.

Can I set different difficulty per player?

No. Difficulty is a global server setting. However, you can adjust individual player experience through admin commands and mod configurations.

How do I enable whitelist?

Set whitelist-enabled=true in the configuration and add players through the console or panel. Only listed players will be able to connect.

What is the recommended view distance for performance?

For servers with 20+ players, a view distance of 8-10 provides a good balance between visual quality and performance. For smaller servers, 12-16 is comfortable. See RAM Requirements for more optimization tips.