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To change enemy aggression in Sons of the Forest on a dedicated server, set Gamemode to custom on the Startup page, add "GameSetting.Vail.EnemyAggression": "Low" (or Normal, High) to CustomGameModeSettings in serverconfig/dedicatedserver.cfg, and start a new save slot. The setting only applies when the server creates a new world. For no cannibals or mutants on the surface, use the peaceful game mode.

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Before you start

  • Custom settings apply only to a new world. Your current world keeps the settings it was created with.
  • Make a backup in Backups so you can go back. See how to create a backup.

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Sons of the Forest enemy settings

All enemy settings sit in the CustomGameModeSettings block of dedicatedserver.cfg:

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How to change enemy aggression on your server

1

Set Gamemode to custom

Open your server, click Startup and set Gamemode to custom. The field saves when you click away.
2

Open dedicatedserver.cfg

Click Files, open serverconfig and then dedicatedserver.cfg. See how to use the File Manager.
3

Add the enemy settings

Put your values in the CustomGameModeSettings block, for example a calmer island:
Separate lines with commas and keep the brackets. Click Save Content.
4

Start a new save

On Startup, set Save Slot to a slot you haven’t used, for example 0000000002.
5

Restart the server

Restart. The server creates a new world with your enemy settings.

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Which game mode has the fewest enemies?

The Gamemode variable on Startup offers normal, hard, hardsurvival, peaceful and custom. peaceful removes cannibals and mutants from the island’s surface (some caves and bunkers still have them, and hostile animals still attack). On hard, enemies deal more damage. hardsurvival adds less food, harsher cold and no loot respawn. Like custom settings, the game mode only applies when a new world is created. See change difficulty.

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Frequently asked questions

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What is the AI anger level in Sons of the Forest?

Players use “anger level” for how aggressive enemies are. On a server you control it with GameSetting.Vail.EnemyAggression (Low, Normal or High).

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Can I change enemy aggression without starting a new world?

No. The server reads custom settings only when it creates a world. Back up your world, then start a new save slot.

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How do I stop cannibals attacking my base?

Set GameSetting.Vail.EnemySearchParties to Low and GameSetting.Survival.BuildingResistance to High, or GameSetting.Vail.EnemySpawn to false for no enemies.

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Does winter make enemies worse?

Mutants are more common in the snow in winter. See season length.

Sons of the Forest server guide

Every Sons of the Forest page in one place.

Change difficulty

Game modes and every custom setting.

dedicatedserver.cfg explained

Every key of the server config file.

Save slots

Start a new world or upload your save.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Sons of the Forest dedicated server on our Game Panel). Setting names checked against the official dedicated server guide. Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

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Need Extra Help?

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Last Updated: October 2026