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How to Enable or Disable PvP on Your Don't Starve Together Server

Learn how to turn PvP (Player vs Player) on or off in your DST server using the RocketNode panel or config file.

Enabling or Disabling PvP on Your DST Server

The PvP setting controls whether players can damage each other. By default, PvP is disabled for cooperative play, but it can be enabled for competitive or survival-style servers.

Method 1: Toggle PvP Using the RocketNode Panel

  1. Log in to the RocketNode Game Panel.

  2. Select your Don’t Starve Together server.

  3. Stop the server from the Overview tab.

  4. Go to the Configuration tab and open the Startup section.

  5. If available, look for a PVP setting.

  6. Enter true to enable PvP or false to disable it.

  7. Return to the Overview tab and start your server.

If the PvP setting isn’t exposed in the panel variables, use the manual method below.


Method 2: Change PvP Setting via Config File

  1. Go to the File Manager tab in your panel.
  2. Navigate to: /DoNotStarveTogether/config/server/cluster.ini
  3. Find the line: pvp = false
  4. Change it to true to allow player combat: pvp = true
  5. Start your server again from the Overview tab.

What Happens When PvP Is Enabled?

  • Players can damage each other using weapons or traps.
  • PvP is active across all shards (Overworld, Caves).
  • It can lead to griefing if not moderated, so consider using mods or whitelist tools if needed.

Need help setting up a PvP-safe environment or controlling griefing? Contact support or check our other DST helpdesk articles.


Updated July 25, 2025      
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