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Project Zomboid
Zombie Survival · Isometric · The Indie Stone
Project Zomboid Sandbox Settings: Zombies, Loot & XP
Project Zomboid sandbox settings: tweak zombies, population, loot and XP in servertest_SandboxVars.lua — plus the new Build 42 animal options and presets.
Last updated July 20, 2026 · RespawnHost
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SandboxVars: your server’s gameplay rules
While servertest.ini handles the technical side (slots, password, mods), the sandbox settings define how the game feels: how many zombies, how rare the loot, how fast the XP. On a server they live in servertest_SandboxVars.lua — in the same folder as servertest.ini (%USERPROFILE%\Zomboid\Server\ on Windows, ~/Zomboid/Server/ on Linux, in the file manager at RespawnHost).
How do you configure the zombies?
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zombie count | From Insane (extremely many) to None (no zombies) |
| Speed | From Sprinters (running zombies) to Random (mixed) |
| Transmission | How the zombie infection is transmitted |
How do you control population and respawn?
| Option | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
PopulationStartMultiplier | 1.0 | Zombie population at game start |
PopulationPeakMultiplier | 1.5 | Maximum zombie population over time |
RespawnHours | 72 | Hours until zombies respawn — 0 = no respawn |
Tip
Want to be able to clear an area permanently? RespawnHours=0 disables zombie respawn entirely.
Adjusting loot, XP and time
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Loot | Rarity set separately for food, weapons and other items |
| XP | XpMultiplier — speeds up skill progression |
| Time | Day length and the world’s start date |
| Utilities | When water and electricity get shut off |
What’s new in Build 42?
Build 42 extends the sandbox with options for its new features:
- Animals/ranching: including animal aging and milk/wool yield
- Darkness During Night: how dark the nights get
More on the B42 changes in the Build 42 server guide.
Which presets are there?
As starting points for your own rules, four presets are cited for Build 42: Apocalypse, Outbreak, Extinction and Rising.
Note
This preset list is community-reported (single source) — check the presets actually available in your game version before relying on it. Regardless of preset, every individual option can be overridden manually.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the SandboxVars file?
servertest_SandboxVars.lua — in the same folder as servertest.ini (%USERPROFILE%\Zomboid\Server\ or ~/Zomboid/Server/, in the file manager at RespawnHost).
How do I disable zombie respawn?
RespawnHours=0 — killed zombies won’t respawn.
How do I level faster?
Increase the XpMultiplier — it speeds up XP gain for all skills.
Can I enable sprinter zombies? Yes — the speed option ranges from Sprinters (running) to Random (mixed speeds).
Related guides
- Rent a Project Zomboid Server — fixed package or pay-per-use
- Server settings (servertest.ini) — technical side: slots, password, mods
- Creating a Build 42 server — B42 status & setup
- Admin commands — managing a running server