# Pavlov VR server hosting for your squad

> Host a Pavlov VR server for Search and Destroy, Deathmatch, King of the Hill or Gun Game, with mod.io maps, map rotation, RCON and a whitelist. Plan yours.

Run your own Pavlov server with the maps and modes your group plays. The dedicated server rotates custom maps from mod.io, takes commands over RCON and keeps out who you choose.

- Community dedicated server for Pavlov
- Search and Destroy, Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Gun Game
- Custom maps from mod.io in your rotation
- RCON, whitelist and ban list

See plans Find your size

Players Set with MaxPlayers in Game.ini\
Ports The game port and the port 400 higher; RCON uses its own port from RconSettings.txt. 7777 UDP · 8177 UDP\
Server Linux dedicated server\
Maps and mods mod.io\
Branches PC (public) and Shack (Quest)\
Config Game.ini · RconSettings.txt

Game modes

- Search and Destroy
- Deathmatch
- King of the Hill
- Gun Game
- Custom modes
- mod.io
- RCON

Game facts from the Steam store page and app data, cross-checked with the Pavlov community wiki, in October 2026.

- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations

## Pavlov VR plans are being prepared

Tell us whether you play on PC or Quest, your player count and your map rotation, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.

[Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket)

## How much does a Pavlov server need?

Pavlov servers are Unreal Engine servers: player count, tick rate and big custom maps decide the load.

| Feature | **Small** Up to 10 players | Recommended **Standard** Up to 16 players | **Large** Up to 24 players |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. | 2 GB | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| CPU coresAn Unreal Engine server: a few fast cores matter more than many slow ones. | 2 | 2–3 | 3–4 |
| Disk spaceRoom for the server and the mod.io maps in your rotation. | 15 GB | 20 GB | 25 GB |
| Tick rateTickRate in Game.ini sets how often the server updates; higher values cost more CPU. | Default | Default | Test before raising |
| Typical use | Friends and private matches | A public SND or TDM server | Busy server with custom maps |

- ### Small
  Up to 10 players
  Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. 2 GB\
  CPU coresAn Unreal Engine server: a few fast cores matter more than many slow ones. 2\
  Disk spaceRoom for the server and the mod.io maps in your rotation. 15 GB\
  Tick rateTickRate in Game.ini sets how often the server updates; higher values cost more CPU. Default\
  Typical use Friends and private matches
- Recommended
  ### Standard
  Up to 16 players
  Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. 4 GB\
  CPU coresAn Unreal Engine server: a few fast cores matter more than many slow ones. 2–3\
  Disk spaceRoom for the server and the mod.io maps in your rotation. 20 GB\
  Tick rateTickRate in Game.ini sets how often the server updates; higher values cost more CPU. Default\
  Typical use A public SND or TDM server
- ### Large
  Up to 24 players
  Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. 6 GB\
  CPU coresAn Unreal Engine server: a few fast cores matter more than many slow ones. 3–4\
  Disk spaceRoom for the server and the mod.io maps in your rotation. 25 GB\
  Tick rateTickRate in Game.ini sets how often the server updates; higher values cost more CPU. Test before raising\
  Typical use Busy server with custom maps

Vankrupt publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points are our estimate. Quest (Shack) servers are limited to fewer players than PC servers.

## Maps, modes and server control

Everything is set in Game.ini and a few text files next to it.

### Your map rotation

List MapRotation lines in Game.ini, each with a map and a game mode such as SND, TDM or KOTH.

### mod.io maps

Custom maps and mods come from mod.io and are added by their UGC ID; the old Steam Workshop system was replaced.

### RCON

Set a password and port in RconSettings.txt to switch maps, kick players and change settings remotely.

### Whitelist and bans

Turn on bWhitelist to admit only the players in whitelist.txt, and keep bans in blacklist.txt.

### PC and Quest

The public branch runs PC servers; the shack branch runs servers for Pavlov Shack on Quest.

## Set up your Pavlov server

Four steps to your first round in VR.

1. ### Choose PC or Quest
   PC servers use the public branch, Quest servers the shack branch. Then pick a size from the table above.
2. ### Pick a location
   Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
3. ### Build your rotation
   Set ServerName, MaxPlayers and a password in Game.ini, add your maps and modes, and set the RCON password.
4. ### Join from the browser
   Players find your server in the in-game server list and join with the password.

## Other game servers you might like

[See every game](https://hyperdc.com/game-server-hosting) [See all shooter servers](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/fps-game-servers)

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Competitive, wingman and community servers with Workshop maps.

[Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/counter-strike)

### Insurgency: Sandstorm

Co-op Checkpoint or 14 v 14 versus with mod.io mods.

[Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/insurgency-sandstorm)

### Squad

100-player battles with layer rotation, admin groups and mods.

[Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/squad)

### Operation: Harsh Doorstop

A free milsim shooter with full Workshop support.

[Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/operation-harsh-doorstop)

## Frequently asked questions

Still have a question? Send us a message and our team will reply by email.

[Contact us](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket)

### Can I host my own Pavlov server?

Yes. Pavlov is built around community-hosted dedicated servers, and the Pavlov VR Dedicated Server installs with SteamCMD. The server runs on Linux.

### Which ports does the server use?

UDP 7777 for the game and UDP 8177, the game port plus 400. RCON listens on the port set in RconSettings.txt. Every extra server on a machine needs its own ports.

### Can Quest players join?

Pavlov Shack on Quest uses its own servers from the shack branch of the dedicated server, and those servers take fewer players. PC players join servers from the public branch.

### Which game modes can I run?

Search and Destroy, Deathmatch, King of the Hill and Gun Game come with the game, and more modes such as Team Deathmatch and custom modes can be set in the map rotation.

### How do I add custom maps?

Custom maps come from mod.io. Add each one to MapRotation in Game.ini with its UGC ID and a game mode; players download the map when they join.

### How do I set the player limit and password?

Set MaxPlayers and Password in Game.ini. Set ServerName there as well, so players find you in the list.

### How do I manage the server remotely?

Set a password and port in RconSettings.txt and connect with an RCON tool to switch maps, kick or ban players and change settings while the server runs.

### Can I limit the server to my friends?

Yes. Turn on bWhitelist in Game.ini and list the players in whitelist.txt, or simply set a password.

### How do bans work?

Banned players are kept in blacklist.txt. bCustomServer must be on for the server to write bans to that file.

## Ready to gear up?

Tell us your platform, player count and maps, and we will help you pick the right Pavlov server.

See plans [Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us)

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Source: <https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/pavlov-vr>\
Updated: 2026-10-09
