DayZ Spawn Loadouts and Spawn Points on Your Server

To give new DayZ characters a custom loadout without mods, write a spawn gear preset file (JSON) in your mission folder, list it under PlayerData > spawnGearPresetFiles in cfggameplay.json, and make sure enableCfgGameplayFile = 1; is set in serverDZ.cfg. Spawn locations are set in cfgplayerspawnpoints.xml. To let players choose where they spawn, install the DayZ-Expansion-Spawn-Selection mod.

Goal	File or mod
Custom starting gear	Spawn gear preset JSON + `spawnGearPresetFiles` in `cfggameplay.json`
Default starting gear	`StartingEquipSetup` in the mission’s `init.c`
Where fresh players spawn	`cfgplayerspawnpoints.xml`
Players pick their spawn	DayZ-Expansion-Spawn-Selection (mod)

Before you start

Find your mission folder: mpmissions/dayzOffline.chernarusplus/ for Chernarus, dayzOffline.enoch for Livonia, dayzOffline.sakhal for Sakhal.
Turn on cfggameplay.json: in Game settings, click serverDZ.cfg: open the raw file and set enableCfgGameplayFile = 1;. See unlimited stamina for the same step.
Stop the server and make a backup.

How to make a custom spawn loadout

Create a preset file

In Files, open your mission folder, click New file and save it as, for example, hiker.json. Paste a preset (example below).

List it in cfggameplay.json

Open cfggameplay.json. Inside "PlayerData", add the line:

"spawnGearPresetFiles": ["hiker.json"],

You can list several files; each preset’s spawnWeight decides how often it is picked.

Start and test

Start the server and create a new character. It should spawn with the preset gear.

Spawn gear preset example

{
    "spawnWeight": 1,
    "name": "Hiker",
    "attachmentSlotItemSets": [
        {
            "slotName": "Body",
            "discreteItemSets": [
                {
                    "itemType": "TShirt_Red",
                    "spawnWeight": 1,
                    "attributes": { "healthMin": 1.0, "healthMax": 1.0, "quantityMin": 1.0, "quantityMax": 1.0 },
                    "quickBarSlot": -1,
                    "simpleChildrenUseDefaultAttributes": true,
                    "simpleChildrenTypes": ["BandageDressing", "Apple"]
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "slotName": "Legs",
            "discreteItemSets": [
                {
                    "itemType": "Jeans_Blue",
                    "spawnWeight": 1,
                    "attributes": { "healthMin": 1.0, "healthMax": 1.0, "quantityMin": 1.0, "quantityMax": 1.0 },
                    "quickBarSlot": -1
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "discreteUnsortedItemSets": []
}

Field	What it does
`spawnWeight`	How likely this preset (or item) is picked compared with the others.
`name`	A name for you.
`characterTypes`	Optional: which character models can get this preset.
`attachmentSlotItemSets`	Items worn in a slot, such as `Body`, `Legs`, `Feet`, `Back`, `Vest`.
`itemType`	The item’s class name, as in `types.xml`.
`attributes`	Health and quantity range (0 to 1).
`quickBarSlot`	Puts the item on the quick bar; `-1` = not on it.
`simpleChildrenTypes`	Items placed inside this item, for example in a T-shirt’s pockets.
`discreteUnsortedItemSets`	Extra item sets placed anywhere in the inventory.

Item class names come from db/types.xml. Web-based “DayZ loadout generators” can write these files for you; check the output against the fields above.

How to change DayZ spawn points

Fresh players spawn at the positions in cfgplayerspawnpoints.xml, inside <fresh> > <generator_posbubbles>. Each <group> holds positions:

<group name="WestCherno">
    <pos x="6063.018555" z="1931.907227" />
</group>

x and z are map coordinates. Edit or add positions, save and restart. Online maps of DayZ show coordinates when you hover over a location.

How to let players choose their spawn

The DayZ-Expansion-Spawn-Selection mod lets players pick where they spawn. Check its Workshop page for the mods it needs (Expansion modules build on CF and Dabs Framework). Install it like any mod (see install DayZ Expansion); its settings are in profiles/ExpansionMod/Settings/ after the first start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set a spawn point in DayZ?

Not as a player in vanilla. Server owners edit cfgplayerspawnpoints.xml, or install a spawn selection mod.

Why does the default gear still spawn?

enableCfgGameplayFile = 1; is missing, the file name in spawnGearPresetFiles doesn’t match, or the JSON has an error. Fix and restart.

Can different players get different loadouts?

Presets are picked by spawnWeight and characterTypes. For VIP or role-based kits, use a mod made for that.

DayZ server guide

Every DayZ page in one place.

Unlimited stamina

More cfggameplay.json settings.

Mission files and maps

What is in a mission folder.

Install DayZ Expansion

Spawn Selection and more.

types.xml loot

Item class names.

Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on 30 October 2026 (DayZ stable branch on our Game Panel). File format checked against the Bohemia Interactive wiki on 30 October 2026.

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Last Updated: October 2026

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DayZ Spawn Loadouts and Spawn Points on Your Server

Before you start

How to make a custom spawn loadout

Spawn gear preset example

How to change DayZ spawn points

How to let players choose their spawn

Frequently asked questions

Can I set a spawn point in DayZ?

Why does the default gear still spawn?

Can different players get different loadouts?

DayZ server guide

Unlimited stamina

Mission files and maps

Install DayZ Expansion

types.xml loot

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting

​Before you start

​How to make a custom spawn loadout

​Spawn gear preset example

​How to change DayZ spawn points

​How to let players choose their spawn

​Frequently asked questions

​Can I set a spawn point in DayZ?

​Why does the default gear still spawn?

​Can different players get different loadouts?

​Related guides

DayZ server guide

Unlimited stamina

Mission files and maps

Install DayZ Expansion

types.xml loot

​Need Extra Help?

​Save on Your Hosting

Before you start

How to make a custom spawn loadout

Spawn gear preset example

How to change DayZ spawn points

How to let players choose their spawn

Frequently asked questions

Can I set a spawn point in DayZ?

Why does the default gear still spawn?

Can different players get different loadouts?

Related guides

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting