Best Palworld Mods for Dedicated Servers (1.0 Guide)

Q: Does Palworld have official mod support?

Yes, since 1.0. It uses the Steam Workshop and a PalModSettings.ini file on the server, but server side mods only run on the Windows dedicated server.

Q: Why is my Palworld mod not loading on the server?

The usual causes are a mod without "IsServer": true, a folder name used instead of the PackageName in ActiveModList, bGlobalEnableMod left off, or a Linux server.

The best Palworld mods for a dedicated server are the server side frameworks and tools: UE4SS (the script loader most server mods need), PalSchema (JSON edits to Pals, items and drops) and PalDefender (anti-cheat and admin tools). Since 1.0, Palworld has an official mod system, but Pocketpair says server side mods work only on the Windows dedicated server, and only mods whose Info.json declares "IsServer": true. Many things people mod for are already settings in PalWorldSettings.ini.

Do you even need mods on a Palworld server?

Check the settings file first. A lot of popular "mods" are just rate changes, and PalWorldSettings.ini already covers them without any risk to your save. From Pocketpair's configuration reference:

What players mod for	Built in setting
Faster levelling	`ExpRate` (EXP multiplier)
Easier catching	`PalCaptureRate`
Faster egg hatching	`PalEggDefaultHatchingTime` (hours for a Huge Egg)
More Pals working at a base	`BaseCampWorkerMaxNum` (max 50, higher means more server load)
More loot	`EnemyDropItemRate`
No raids on bases	`bEnableInvaderEnemy=False`
Keep items on death	`DeathPenalty=None`
Bigger groups	`ServerPlayerMaxNum`, up to 32

If those cover what your group wants, run vanilla. Updates will not break anything, and every platform can join. Our best Palworld server settings has tuned values for friend groups.

The best Palworld server mods and tools

Mod or tool	What it does	Server	Players
UE4SS	Script and native mod loader that Lua mods and PalSchema run on	Yes, Windows	Only if a mod needs it client side
PalSchema	Changes data tables and blueprints with JSON files, without file conflicts	Yes, needs UE4SS	Depends on the edit
PalDefender	Server side anti-cheat, rate limits and admin actions	Yes, Windows only	No
Server rule mods (Workshop, `IsServer`)	Spawn tables, Pal stats, drop rates	Yes	Usually no
Content mods (new Pals, items, buildings)	Adds assets to the game	Yes	Yes, same version
Cosmetic and UI mods	Skins, camera, HUD	No	Only the player who wants it

UE4SS

UE4SS is the community framework that loads Lua scripts and native mods into Unreal Engine games. Pocketpair's own mod system deploys it to Mods/NativeMods/UE4SS on the server, and both Lua mods and PalSchema packages sit inside it. Almost every scripted server mod depends on it, so it is the first thing to get working.

PalSchema

PalSchema lets mod authors and server owners change Palworld's data tables and blueprints with JSON files instead of replacing game files. Two mods that both edit Pal stats can coexist because neither overwrites the whole table. It is the cleanest way to rebalance Pals, items, recipes or drops on a server, and it requires UE4SS.

PalDefender

PalDefender is the most widely used admin and anti-cheat tool for public Palworld servers. Its documentation describes server side validation that blocks known cheats, exploits and crash attempts, then warns, kicks, bans or IP bans the player depending on your config. It also adds admin actions such as giving items or Pals, kicking, banning and broadcasting. It runs only on Windows dedicated servers, and players install nothing. If your server is public, this is the mod that earns its place first.

Palworld players riding Pals across a grassy field toward a glowing tower and ancient ruins

How does the official Palworld mod system work on a server?

Pocketpair's server mod guide lays out the process:

Put each mod in its own folder under Mods/Workshop/, with its Info.json inside. On a PC with Steam, Workshop downloads live in steamapps/workshop/content/1623730.
Start the server once so it creates Mods/PalModSettings.ini.
Turn mods on and list each mod by its PackageName from Info.json, not by its folder name.
Restart. The server deploys each mod to the right place: UE4SS mods into Mods/NativeMods, pak mods into Pal/Content/Paks/~WorkshopMods, logic mods into Pal/Content/Paks/LogicMods.

[PalModSettings]
bGlobalEnableMod=true
ActiveModList=ExampleBalanceMod
ActiveModList=ExampleSpawnRules

When a mod's Version changes, the server uninstalls and redeploys it on the next restart. To start without mods for testing, remove the names from ActiveModList or launch with -NoMods.

The key filter is in Info.json: only mods whose install rules include "IsServer": true are built to run on a server. A popular client mod without it will simply not do anything server side.

What do players need to install?

It depends on what the mod changes:

Server rules only (spawn rates, drop tables, stat changes): usually nothing. The server applies the rule and players see the result.
New assets (new Pals, items, buildings, UI): every player needs the matching client mod in the same version, or they hit errors or see missing objects.
Cosmetic mods: only the player who wants them.

The bAllowClientMod setting in PalWorldSettings.ini decides whether players with mods enabled may join at all. Turn it off on a public vanilla server if you do not want modded clients connecting.

Do Palworld mods work on a Linux server?

Not officially. Pocketpair's guide states server side mods work only on the Windows edition of the dedicated server. Community builds of UE4SS for Linux exist, but they are experimental and break with updates. If mods are essential to your group, plan on a Windows server.

Are Palworld mods safe for your save?

Treat them with care. Before 1.0, Pocketpair warned that old mod files could crash the game or corrupt saves even when turned off, and its own docs say mods "may cause save-data corruption or crashes." Our Palworld 1.0 server changes covers that warning in detail. Good habits:

Back up Pal/Saved/SaveGames before adding, updating or removing a mod.
Add one mod at a time and play a session before adding the next.
After a Palworld patch, wait for your mods to update before restarting the server on the new version.
Removing a content mod can leave a world with missing Pals or items, so decide on content mods before a fresh world.

FAQ

Does Palworld have official mod support?

Yes, since 1.0. It uses the Steam Workshop and a PalModSettings.ini file on the server, but server side mods only run on the Windows dedicated server.

What is the best Palworld anti-cheat mod for a server?

PalDefender. It adds server side checks against known cheats and exploits plus admin actions, runs on Windows servers and needs nothing from players.

Do my friends need the same mods as the server?

Only for mods that add new content or UI. Rule changes that only run on the server usually need nothing on the player's side.

Can Xbox and PlayStation players join a modded Palworld server?

Mods run on PC. Console players can join a server that only changes rules on the server side, but they cannot install client mods, so content mods leave them out.

Why is my Palworld mod not loading on the server?

The usual causes are a mod without "IsServer": true, a folder name used instead of the PackageName in ActiveModList, bGlobalEnableMod left off, or a Linux server.

The easy option

Our Palworld server hosting runs Pocketpair's Linux dedicated server for stability, so it is vanilla today: UE4SS, PalSchema and PalDefender are not available on it. What you do get is every common world setting (XP, capture rate, egg hatching, death penalty, PvP) in the panel, crossplay with Xbox, PS5 and Mac, automatic restarts for the memory leak and backups before game updates. Most groups who ask for mods really want different rates, a softer death penalty or faster eggs, and every one of those is a panel setting you can change in a minute.