How to Enable Rust’s Built-In PvE Mode with server.pve

Rust includes a built-in PvE console variable, so basic player-versus-player damage protection does not require Oxide, Carbon, or a plugin.

Enable PvE

Add this line to server.cfg:

server.pve true

Rust reads server.cfg at startup. The file belongs in the active server identity’s configuration directory:

<rust-server>/server/<identity>/cfg/server.cfg

Save the file and restart the server. These configuration and restart steps are documented by the Rust Wiki and Potionhost.

Verify the setting

Enter this in the server console:

server.pve

The value should be true. Potionhost also recommends testing with two players to confirm that an attack does not damage the targeted player.

What the built-in mode does

Facepunch describes native PvE mode as preventing players from damaging one another and reflecting attempted player damage back to the attacker. The built-in setting is comparatively blunt: it does not provide fine-grained control over interactions such as raiding, access to other players’ containers, or mixed PvP and PvE zones.

Enabling server.pve also automatically applies the PvE server-browser tag, so the same tag does not need to be added manually through server.tags.

For additional community navigation, follow sourced Rust coverage on TOP OF GAMES.