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Palworld Server Optimization

This guide provides comprehensive optimization strategies for your Palworld dedicated server to ensure smooth gameplay, minimal lag, and optimal performance for all players.

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Performance Baseline

Before optimizing, understand your server’s current performance:
MetricGoodAcceptablePoor
Server FPS60+ FPS45-60 FPSBelow 45 FPS
Tick Rate60 TPS50-59 TPSBelow 50 TPS
RAM UsageUnder 8GB8-12GBOver 12GB
CPU UsageUnder 50%50-75%Over 75%
Player LatencyUnder 50ms50-100msOver 100ms
Load TimeUnder 30s30-60sOver 60s
Monitor these metrics through your Wasabi Hosting Gamepanel or in-game console commands.

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Configuration Optimization

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Core Settings Optimization

Optimize PalWorldSettings.ini for better performance: 
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(
    # Player Limit (adjust based on server resources)
    ServerPlayerMaxNum=20,  # Lower = better performance

    # Entity Limits (reduce for better performance)
    DropItemMaxNum=2000,    # Default: 3000
    DropItemAliveMaxHours=0.5,  # Faster cleanup

    # Base Settings
    BaseCampMaxNum=128,
    BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=10,  # Lower = better performance (default: 15)

    # Spawn Rates (lower = better performance)
    PalSpawnNumRate=0.9,    # Slightly reduce spawns

    # Guild Settings
    GuildPlayerMaxNum=15,   # Lower if not needed

    # Performance-Critical Settings
    bIsUseBackupSaveData=True,
    bUseAuth=True
)
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum has the most significant performance impact. Start at 10 and adjust based on player feedback.

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Engine Configuration

Optimize Engine.ini for maximum performance: 
[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
NetServerMaxTickRate=60
MaxClientRate=100000
MaxInternetClientRate=100000

[/Script/Engine.Engine]
bUseFixedFrameRate=True
FixedFrameRate=60.000000
bSmoothFrameRate=True
SmoothedFrameRateRange=(LowerBound=(Type=Inclusive,Value=30.000000),UpperBound=(Type=Exclusive,Value=60.000000))

[Core.System]
Paths=../../../Engine/Content
Paths=%GAMEDIR%Content

[/Script/Engine.GarbageCollectionSettings]
gc.MaxObjectsNotConsideredByGC=1
gc.SizeOfPermanentObjectPool=0
gc.TimeBetweenPurgingPendingKillObjects=60

[/Script/EngineSettings.GameMapsSettings]
GameDefaultMap=/Game/Maps/Main
ServerDefaultMap=/Game/Maps/Main

[SystemSettings]
r.Streaming.PoolSize=2048
r.Streaming.MaxEffectiveScreenSize=0
r.Shadow.MaxResolution=2048
Changing TickRate below 50 may negatively impact gameplay. 60 is optimal for most servers.

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Startup Parameter Optimization

Configure these in your Wasabi Hosting Gamepanel: 
# High Performance Configuration
-useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS -publicport=8211 -publicip= -servername="My Server" -port=8211

# Additional Memory Optimization
-USEALLAVAILABLECORES -malloc=system -high
ParameterPurposePerformance Impact
-useperfthreadsUse performance-optimized threadsHigh - Better CPU utilization
-NoAsyncLoadingThreadDisable async loadingMedium - More predictable load
-UseMultithreadForDSEnable multithreading for dedicated serverHigh - Essential for good performance
-USEALLAVAILABLECORESUtilize all CPU coresHigh - Maximizes CPU usage
-malloc=systemUse system memory allocatorMedium - Better memory management
-highSet process priority to highMedium - Better CPU scheduling
-port=8211Specify server portNone
-publicport=8211Set public portNone

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Memory Optimization

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Memory Management Settings

# In Engine.ini
[/Script/Engine.GarbageCollectionSettings]
gc.MaxObjectsNotConsideredByGC=1
gc.SizeOfPermanentObjectPool=0
gc.TimeBetweenPurgingPendingKillObjects=60
gc.FlushStreamingOnGC=True

[MemoryPools]
PoolSize=2048
MaxPoolSize=4096

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RAM Allocation Guidelines

Player CountMinimum RAMRecommended RAM
1-88 GB12 GB
8-1612 GB16 GB
16-2416 GB24 GB
24-3224 GB32 GB
These requirements include OS overhead and other background processes. Dedicated servers should have 20-30% RAM headroom.

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CPU Optimization

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Multi-Threading Configuration

# In Engine.ini
[Core.System]
TaskGraph.NumThreads=0  # 0 = Auto-detect cores

[/Script/Engine.RendererSettings]
r.RHICmdBypass=0

[SystemSettings]
WorkerThreadPriority=TPri_Normal
ThreadedPhysicsWorker=True

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CPU Affinity and Priority

On Windows servers, configure CPU affinity: 
# PowerShell script to set CPU affinity
$processName = "PalServer-Win64-Test-Cmd"
$process = Get-Process -Name $processName
$process.ProcessorAffinity = 0xFF  # Use all 8 cores (adjust for your CPU)
Set the Palworld server process priority to “High” in Task Manager for better CPU allocation.

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Network Optimization

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Network Configuration

# In PalWorldSettings.ini
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(
    PublicPort=8211,
    RCONPort=25575,
    ServerPlayerMaxNum=20,  # Lower for better network performance
)

# In Engine.ini
[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
NetServerMaxTickRate=60
MaxClientRate=100000
MaxInternetClientRate=100000
ConnectionTimeout=60.0
InitialConnectTimeout=60.0

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Bandwidth Optimization

Player CountMinimum BandwidthRecommended Bandwidth
1-810 Mbps25 Mbps
8-1625 Mbps50 Mbps
16-2450 Mbps100 Mbps
24-32100 Mbps200 Mbps
These values are for upload bandwidth, which is typically the limiting factor for game servers.

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Entity and World Optimization

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Item Management

# Optimize item handling
DropItemMaxNum=2000,              # Reduce from default 3000
DropItemAliveMaxHours=0.5,        # Faster cleanup (default: 1.0)
Setting DropItemMaxNum too low may cause items to disappear during intense gameplay. 2000-2500 is a good balance.

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Pal Spawn Optimization

# Balance spawns and performance
PalSpawnNumRate=0.9,              # Slightly reduce spawns
PalDamageRateAttack=1.0,
PalDamageRateDefense=1.0,

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Base and Building Optimization

# Base performance settings
BaseCampMaxNum=128,               # Maximum bases
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=10,          # Reduce from 15 for better performance
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.0,
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum directly impacts performance. Each worker Pal actively calculates pathfinding and tasks.

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Database and Save Optimization

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Save Game Settings

# Enable backup system
bIsUseBackupSaveData=True,

# In Engine.ini
[/Script/Engine.GameEngine]
bSmoothFrameRate=True
SmoothedFrameRateRange=(LowerBound=(Type=Inclusive,Value=30.000000),UpperBound=(Type=Exclusive,Value=60.000000))

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Automatic Backups

Configure automatic saves and backups:
  • In Wasabi Gamepanel: Set up automated backups every 6-12 hours
  • Manual saves: Use /Save command regularly via RCON
  • Backup rotation: Keep 3-7 days of backups
Regular saves prevent data loss but cause brief performance dips. Schedule during low-traffic periods.

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Performance Scaling by Player Count

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Small Server (1-8 Players)

# Optimized for 1-8 players
ServerPlayerMaxNum=8,
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,          # Can afford higher
PalSpawnNumRate=1.0,
DropItemMaxNum=2000,
ExpRate=1.0,

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Medium Server (8-16 Players)

# Optimized for 8-16 players
ServerPlayerMaxNum=16,
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=12,          # Balanced
PalSpawnNumRate=0.9,
DropItemMaxNum=2500,
ExpRate=1.2,                      # Slightly boosted for more players

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Large Server (16-32 Players)

# Optimized for 16-32 players
ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=8,           # Reduced for performance
PalSpawnNumRate=0.8,              # Lower spawn rate
DropItemMaxNum=3000,
ExpRate=1.5,                      # Compensate for more competition
DropItemAliveMaxHours=0.3,        # Aggressive cleanup

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Monitoring and Diagnostics

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Performance Monitoring

Use RCON commands to monitor performance: 
# Check server performance
/ShowPerformance
/ShowMemory
/ShowNetwork

# Regular health checks
/Info
/ShowPlayers

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Log Analysis

Monitor logs for performance issues: 
# Log location
/Pal/Saved/Logs/

# Common issues to look for:
- "Out of memory" errors
- High tick time warnings
- Connection timeouts
- Save/load errors
Set up log rotation to prevent log files from consuming too much disk space.

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Platform-Specific Optimizations

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Windows Server

# Disable unnecessary services
Set-Service -Name "Themes" -StartupType Disabled
Set-Service -Name "Windows Search" -StartupType Disabled

# Configure page file
# Set to 1.5x - 2x your RAM size

# Disable visual effects
SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe

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Linux Server

# Increase file descriptor limits
ulimit -n 100000

# Optimize TCP settings
sysctl -w net.core.rmem_max=16777216
sysctl -w net.core.wmem_max=16777216
sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_rmem='4096 87380 16777216'
sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_wmem='4096 65536 16777216'

# Disable unnecessary services
systemctl disable bluetooth
systemctl disable cups

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Advanced Optimization Techniques

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Memory Pooling

# In Engine.ini
[/Script/Engine.Engine]
bEnableOnScreenDebugMessages=False
PoolSize=2048

[SystemSettings]
r.Streaming.PoolSize=2048
r.Streaming.UseFixedPoolSize=1

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Async Loading

[/Script/Engine.StreamingSettings]
s.AsyncLoadingTimeLimit=5.0
s.PriorityAsyncLoadingExtraTime=15.0
s.LevelStreamingActorsUpdateTimeLimit=5.0

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Garbage Collection Optimization

[/Script/Engine.GarbageCollectionSettings]
gc.MaxObjectsNotConsideredByGC=1
gc.SizeOfPermanentObjectPool=0
gc.TimeBetweenPurgingPendingKillObjects=60
gc.MaxObjectsInEditor=2147483647
gc.IncrementalBeginDestroyEnabled=True

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Anti-Lag Measures

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Entity Cleanup Scripts

Create automated cleanup via RCON: 
#!/bin/bash
# Cleanup script

RCON_CMD="mcrcon -H your-ip -P 25575 -p password"

while true; do
    # Regular save
    $RCON_CMD "Save"

    # Broadcast cleanup
    $RCON_CMD "Broadcast Performing routine cleanup..."

    sleep 3600  # Every hour
done

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Dynamic Performance Adjustment

Monitor and adjust settings based on load: 
# Check player count and adjust
PLAYER_COUNT=$($RCON_CMD "ShowPlayers" | wc -l)

if [ $PLAYER_COUNT -gt 20 ]; then
    # High load - reduce spawns
    echo "High player count - reducing spawns"
elif [ $PLAYER_COUNT -lt 10 ]; then
    # Low load - increase for better gameplay
    echo "Low player count - normal settings"
fi

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Hardware Recommendations

For 1-8 Players:
  • CPU: 4 cores @ 3.5GHz+
  • RAM: 12 GB
  • Storage: 50 GB SSD
  • Network: 25 Mbps
For 8-16 Players:
  • CPU: 6 cores @ 4.0GHz+
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 100 GB SSD
  • Network: 50 Mbps
For 16-24 Players:
  • CPU: 8 cores @ 4.5GHz+
  • RAM: 24 GB
  • Storage: 150 GB NVMe SSD
  • Network: 100 Mbps
For 24-32 Players:
  • CPU: 12 cores @ 5.0GHz+
  • RAM: 32 GB
  • Storage: 200 GB NVMe SSD
  • Network: 200 Mbps
SSD/NVMe storage is crucial for fast world saves and loads. HDD significantly impacts performance.

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Optimization Checklist

Use this checklist to optimize your server:
  • Set appropriate player limit for hardware
  • Reduce BaseCampWorkerMaxNum to 8-12
  • Configure DropItemMaxNum to 2000-2500
  • Enable faster item cleanup (0.5 hours)
  • Set NetServerMaxTickRate to 60
  • Enable multithreading startup parameters
  • Configure automatic backups
  • Set process priority to High
  • Enable garbage collection optimization
  • Configure log rotation
  • Optimize network settings
  • Enable RCON for monitoring
  • Set up automated saves
  • Monitor RAM usage regularly
  • Review and update configuration monthly

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Troubleshooting Performance Issues

Common Causes:
  • Too many players for hardware
  • High BaseCampWorkerMaxNum
  • CPU bottleneck
  • Too many active bases
Solutions:
  • Reduce ServerPlayerMaxNum
  • Lower BaseCampWorkerMaxNum to 8-10
  • Reduce PalSpawnNumRate to 0.8
  • Increase cleanup frequency
  • Upgrade CPU or reduce player count
Common Causes:
  • Memory leaks
  • Too many entities
  • Large world size
  • Insufficient cleanup
Solutions:
  • Enable aggressive item cleanup
  • Reduce DropItemMaxNum
  • Restart server daily
  • Enable garbage collection optimization
  • Reduce BaseCampMaxNum if possible
Common Causes:
  • Insufficient bandwidth
  • Network congestion
  • DDoS attack
  • Poor routing
Solutions:
  • Upgrade network bandwidth
  • Enable DDoS protection (Firewall Manager)
  • Reduce MaxClientRate if needed
  • Limit ServerPlayerMaxNum
  • Check for background network processes
Common Causes:
  • Slow storage (HDD vs SSD)
  • Large world size
  • Many players/bases
  • Fragmented files
Solutions:
  • Upgrade to SSD or NVMe storage
  • Regular world cleanup
  • Optimize save intervals
  • Defragment storage (if HDD)
  • Enable backup compression
Common Causes:
  • Out of memory
  • Corrupted save files
  • Mod conflicts
  • Hardware issues
Solutions:
  • Increase allocated RAM
  • Restore from backup
  • Remove problematic mods
  • Check hardware health
  • Update server software
  • Review crash logs

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Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance:

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Daily Tasks

  • Monitor server performance metrics
  • Check player count vs. performance
  • Verify no error messages in logs
  • Quick backup verification

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Weekly Tasks

  • Full server restart
  • Log file cleanup and review
  • Performance benchmark
  • Backup rotation verification
  • Check for updates

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Monthly Tasks

  • Deep performance analysis
  • Configuration optimization review
  • Hardware health check
  • Storage cleanup
  • Update all software
  • Review player feedback
Schedule maintenance during off-peak hours (early morning) to minimize player disruption.

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Performance Testing

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Stress Testing

Test server performance under load:
1

Establish baseline

Record metrics with normal player count
2

Simulate high load

Test with maximum expected players
3

Monitor metrics

Track FPS, RAM, CPU, network during test
4

Identify bottlenecks

Find performance limiting factors
5

Adjust and retest

Optimize and test again

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Benchmark Commands

# Via RCON
/ShowPerformance  # Current FPS and tick rate
/ShowMemory       # RAM usage
/ShowNetwork      # Network stats
/Info             # General server info

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Final Optimization Tips

Key Optimization Principles:
  • Start conservative: Begin with lower limits and increase gradually
  • Monitor constantly: Regular performance checks prevent issues
  • One change at a time: Test each optimization individually
  • Document changes: Keep records of what works
  • Player feedback: Listen to player reports of lag
  • Regular restarts: Daily restarts prevent memory leaks
  • Update regularly: Keep server software current
  • Backup everything: Always backup before major changes
By following this comprehensive optimization guide, your Palworld server on Wasabi Hosting will deliver excellent performance and a smooth, enjoyable experience for all players. For additional assistance, contact our support team.