How do I disable PvP on a DayZ server?

There is no native setting in serverDZ.cfg. You need a PvE mod from the Steam Workshop that blocks player-vs-player damage, or the safe zones of a pack like DayZ Expansion. The rest of a PvE setup is loot (types.xml) and the zombie count (globals.xml).

How do I wipe my DayZ server?

Stop the server, then delete or rename the persistence folder mpmissions/ /storage_1. On restart, bases, vehicles and tents start from scratch. Renaming instead of deleting keeps a backup.

What is types.xml for?

It is the loot economy file. For every item, nominal sets the target count on the map, min the respawn threshold, lifetime how long it stays on the ground and restock the delay before it respawns.

How do I enable first-person only?

Set disable3rdPerson = 1; in serverDZ.cfg and restart. 1PP servers are very popular with PvP players.

DayZ PvE, PvP and RP Server Setup (+ How to Wipe)

TL;DR

A DayZ server is tuned in five files: serverDZ.cfg (name, players, view, time, map), types.xml (loot), globals.xml (zombies, animals), events.xml (heli crashes, vehicles) and cfggameplay.json (stamina, building). PvP: loot close to official and disable3rdPerson = 1. PvE: a mod that blocks player damage, more zombies, more food. RP: whitelist, traders, serverTimePersistent = 1 and RAM for mods. A LordHosting DayZ server gives you access to all of these files from the panel.

Great DayZ servers have a clear identity. Players search for "PvE servers", "RP servers" or "1PP PvP": pick your style and tune the server for it. This guide assumes your server is already running; if not, start with How to make your own DayZ server.

⚙️ The files you need to know

File	Purpose
`serverDZ.cfg`	Name, players, third-person, time, map
`mpmissions/<mission>/db/types.xml`	Quantity, lifetime and respawn of every item
`mpmissions/<mission>/db/globals.xml`	Global economy settings (zombie count, animals, cleanup)
`mpmissions/<mission>/db/events.xml`	Events: heli crashes, vehicles, convoys
`mpmissions/<mission>/cfggameplay.json`	Stamina, building, UI (enable with `enableCfgGameplayFile = 1;` in `serverDZ.cfg`)

Always stop the server before editing these files. <mission> is your map folder, for example dayzOffline.chernarusplus.

⚙️ Tuning loot with types.xml

Every item has an entry like this:

<type name="AKM">
    <nominal>10</nominal>
    <lifetime>28800</lifetime>
    <restock>1800</restock>
    <min>5</min>
    ...
</type>

nominal: target count on the map.
min: below this, the item respawns.
lifetime: how long it stays on the ground (seconds).
restock: delay before respawning.

For a more generous server, raise nominal and min on the items you want. Don't multiply the whole file: too many items hurts performance.

A broken XML file stops the server from starting

One unclosed tag in types.xml is enough. Keep a copy of the original file before every edit, and check the latest .RPT file in the profiles folder if the server refuses to start.

⚙️ PvP setup

Keep loot close to official: scarcity makes every fight matter.
disable3rdPerson = 1; for a first-person (1PP) server, popular with competitive players.
Enable events (heli crashes) in events.xml to create hotspots.
Use an admin tool and logs (-adminlog) to catch cheaters.

⚙️ PvE setup

Block player-vs-player damage with a dedicated PvE mod (several exist on the Workshop), or with the safe zones of a pack like Expansion. Our guide How to install DayZ mods on a server explains how.
Raise the zombie count in globals.xml (ZombieMaxCount) to make up for the lack of human threats, while watching performance.
Slightly increase food and medical loot.
Make days longer and nights shorter with serverTimeAcceleration and serverNightTimeAcceleration.

A PvE server often draws more players than a PvP one, and more zombies need more resources. The Bandit and Hero tiers of our DayZ servers are built for that.

⚙️ RP (roleplay) setup

Whitelist: set a password or use a whitelist mod, with applications through Discord.
Clear rules, pinned on Discord and referenced in the server name.
Economy: traders (Expansion Market or a trader mod), safe zones, jobs.
Persistence: serverTimePersistent = 1; so time keeps going between restarts.
Plan for more RAM: RP servers stack modded maps, vehicles and decor items.

⚙️ Restarts and wipes

A restart every 4 to 6 hours keeps the server smooth. Bases, vehicles and tents live in the persistence folder mpmissions/<mission>/storage_1. For a full wipe, stop the server and delete (or rename, to keep a backup) this folder. Announce wipes in advance: wipe day is when new players join.

⚙️ Ready-to-paste configuration

The serverDZ.cfg lines that change with the play style. Copy the block that matches your server into your file.

// PvP, first person, official loot
disable3rdPerson = 1;
disableCrosshair = 1;
serverTimeAcceleration = 6;
serverNightTimeAcceleration = 4;
serverTimePersistent = 0;

// PvE, long days, short nights (damage blocking comes from a mod)
disable3rdPerson = 0;
disableCrosshair = 0;
serverTimeAcceleration = 4;
serverNightTimeAcceleration = 12;
serverTimePersistent = 0;

// RP, private server, persistent time
password = "YourDiscordPassword";
disable3rdPerson = 0;
serverTimeAcceleration = 3;
serverNightTimeAcceleration = 6;
serverTimePersistent = 1;
enableCfgGameplayFile = 1;

And in globals.xml, the line that sets the maximum zombie count, to raise in steps of 200 on a PvE server:

<var name="ZombieMaxCount" type="0" value="1000"/>

✅ Conclusion

PvP, PvE or RP, the choice is made in serverDZ.cfg and in the economy of types.xml and globals.xml, then with one or two well-chosen mods. State the style clearly in the server name: that is what players filter by. Regular restarts and a backup of the persistence folder before every big change will save you weeks of play.

RP and modded servers need memory. Our DayZ servers go up to 16 GB to run your mod packs without lag, with the mission files accessible from the panel.

FAQ

The answers to frequently asked questions about setting up a DayZ server are in the FAQ box below. If a question is missing, contact LordHosting support via Discord or by ticket.