How To Change PVP/PVE Mode On Your Unturned Server

Deciding whether your server allows players to fight each other or forces them to work together against the zombie horde is one of the most important choices you can make for your community. Toggling between PvP (Player vs Player) and PvE (Player vs Environment) on your Unturned server only takes a few seconds.

Important Warning: Always make sure your server is completely stopped before making configuration changes. Editing files while the server is running will cause your changes to be overwritten!

Editing Your Commands.dat File

To change the combat rules, we need to edit the core commands file directly in your panel.

1. Log into your MintServers panel and click the Stop button.
2. Navigate to the Files tab on the left sidebar.
3. Click through the file manager to locate your Commands.dat file.
📁 Servers
📁 unturned (or your custom instance name)
📁 Server
📄 Commands.dat (Click to edit this file)
4. Click on Commands.dat to open the text editor.
5. Unlike other settings, the combat mode does not need a value next to it. You simply type PvP or PvE on its own line.
6. If you have a brand new server and the file is empty, just type PvP or PvE on the first line. If you already have text in your file, look for an existing combat line to change, or add it to the bottom. Here is how it should look:

Name My Awesome Server
Map PEI
Mode Easy
PvE
MaxPlayers 24
Perspective Both

7. Click the Save Content button at the top of the editor.
8. Return to the Console tab and Start your server.

Combat Modes Explained

You can choose between two main combat environments. Make sure you spell the mode exactly as shown below in your Commands.dat file:

• PvP: This stands for Player vs Player. This is the default setting for Unturned. Players can damage and kill each other, raid bases, and steal loot from other survivors alongside fighting zombies.
• PvE: This stands for Player vs Environment. Players cannot deal damage to each other. They must team up to survive against the zombies and the elements. This is ideal for friendly, cooperative survival servers.

If players are still able to deal damage to each other after switching to PvE, double-check your Commands.dat file to ensure you didn't accidentally include both lines or misspell the command. If you need any further assistance, open a support ticket and our team will be glad to help.