Pavlov VR server hosting for your squad
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
- Players
- Set with MaxPlayers in Game.ini
- PortsThe 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.
How much does a Pavlov server need?
Pavlov servers are Unreal Engine servers: player count, tick rate and big custom maps decide the load.
Find your size
| 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.
-
Choose PC or Quest
PC servers use the public branch, Quest servers the shack branch. Then pick a size from the table above.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
-
Build your rotation
Set ServerName, MaxPlayers and a password in Game.ini, add your maps and modes, and set the RCON password.
-
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
Frequently asked questions
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.