ARK PvP settings: how to turn PvP on or off on your ARK: Survival Evolved server with ServerPVE in GameUserSettings.ini, plus bDisableFriendlyFire and bAutoPvETimer in Game.ini.
ARK PvP settings at a glance
Player vs Player (PvP) is controlled by three settings in two files:
| Setting (file) | PvP on | PvP off (PvE) |
ServerPVEin GameUserSettings.ini | False | True |
bDisableFriendlyFirein Game.ini | False | True |
bAutoPvETimerin Game.ini | False | False (or True for scheduled PvE, see below) |
ServerPVEis the main switch.Truemakes the server PvE: players can't damage other players, their tames or their structures.bDisableFriendlyFireset toTruestops damage between members of the same tribe.bAutoPvETimerset toTrueswitches the server to PvE automatically during set hours. Leave itFalseif you want PvP or PvE all the time.
No line for a setting in the file? Add it yourself: ServerPVE goes under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini, and bDisableFriendlyFire and bAutoPvETimer under [/script/shootergame.shootergamemode] in Game.ini.
Enable PvP
- Shut down the server: press STOP in the game panel.
- Go to Configuration Files and edit
Game.iniwith the Config Editor. - Set both
bDisableFriendlyFireandbAutoPvETimertoFalse, then save the changes. - Go to Configuration Files again and this time edit
GameUserSettings.iniwith the Config Editor. - Change
ServerPVEtoFalseand save the file. - Finally, start the server again with START.
How to turn off PvP in ARK (PvE mode)
- Shut down the server: press STOP.
- Go to Configuration Files and edit
Game.iniwith the Config Editor. - Set
bDisableFriendlyFiretoTrueandbAutoPvETimertoFalse, then save your changes. - Go back to Configuration Files and edit
GameUserSettings.iniwith the Config Editor. - Set
ServerPVEtoTrueand save your changes. - Finally, start the server again with START.
Optional: PvE only at certain times
Want PvP at some hours and PvE at others, for example PvE overnight? Keep ServerPVE at False and set bAutoPvETimer to True, then set the PvE start and stop times with AutoPvEStartTimeSeconds and AutoPvEStopTimeSeconds (seconds after midnight). Not sure? Open a ticket and we'll help you set it up.
Questions
How do I turn off PvP in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Stop the server, set ServerPVE=True in GameUserSettings.ini, set bDisableFriendlyFire=True and bAutoPvETimer=False in Game.ini, save, then start the server. Players can then no longer damage each other, their dinos or their bases.
Can I protect players' bases while they are offline in PvP?
Yes. Set PreventOfflinePvP=True under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini. A tribe's structures and dinos are then protected once all its members have been offline for a while.
I changed the setting but nothing happened. Why?
The server was probably still running when you saved, so it overwrote your change. Press STOP, make the change again, save, then press START. Still stuck? Open a ticket.
