Change Castle Decay Rate on a V Rising Server

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide explains how to adjust the castle decay rate on a V Rising server, which controls how quickly player-built structures lose durability and eventually collapse when owners are offline. You’ll need access to the server’s configuration files—either on your own dedicated server or through a hosting provider’s control panel. The process is straightforward and takes about five minutes.

What You’ll Need

Access to the server’s ServerHostSettings.json file (for dedicated servers) or the hosting provider’s configuration editor.
A text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code (if editing files manually).
Administrator permissions on the server or hosting account.
Knowledge of your server’s IP/port if you need to reconnect after a restart.

Step-by-Step

Locate the configuration file. For a dedicated server, navigate to the folder where V Rising server files are installed (e.g., VRisingServer/VRisingServer_Data/StreamingAssets/Settings/). For hosted servers, log into your control panel (like GPortal, Nitrado, or your provider’s dashboard) and find the “Config Files” or “Settings” section.
Open ServerHostSettings.json with a text editor or the panel’s built-in editor. This file contains all server settings, including castle decay parameters.
Find the decay-related keys. Look for CastleDecayRate (or CastleDecayRate in some versions). This is a decimal multiplier. Default is usually 1.0 (100% decay speed). Lower values slow decay; higher values speed it up.
Change the value. For example, set it to 0.5 for half-speed decay, or 0.1 for very slow decay. If you want no decay at all, set it to 0 (though this may disable decay entirely).
Save the file. If using a panel, click “Save” or “Apply”. If editing manually, save the file with UTF-8 encoding (default).
Restart the server. Changes only take effect after a full restart. In the panel, use the “Restart” button. For dedicated servers, stop and start the process (or use a script).
Verify the change. Log into the game, check your castle’s decay timer (hover over a structure). The time should reflect the new rate. You can also check the server log for the loaded settings.

Common Mistakes

Editing the wrong file. Some servers have ServerGameSettings.json for gameplay options, but decay is in ServerHostSettings.json. Double-check the filename.
Using a value outside 0-1. Values above 1 accelerate decay; negative values may cause errors. Stick to 0-1 for slower decay.
Forgetting to restart. The game reads settings only at startup. A simple reload won’t apply changes.
Syntax errors. Missing commas or quotes in the JSON file can break the server. Use a JSON validator if unsure.
Not backing up. Always copy the original file before editing, so you can revert if something goes wrong.

Tips

Test with a small value like 0.5 first to see if it matches your desired pace.
Consider also adjusting CastleBloodBoundDecayRate (if present) to affect decay for blood-bound structures specifically.
If you want decay to pause entirely while players are offline, look for DecayEnabled or similar flags, but note that setting decay to 0 effectively disables it.
For public servers, announce the change so players know their castles won’t decay as fast.
Keep the server updated; patches may reset settings to defaults, so reapply after major updates.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start after editing. Likely a JSON syntax error. Revert to the backup, then re-edit carefully. Use a JSON validator online.
Decay rate unchanged. Confirm you edited the correct file and key name. Some versions use CastleDecayRate vs CastleDecayRatePerDay. Check the official wiki for your server version.
Changes apply but not as expected. If you set 0.5 but decay seems faster, note that the game may also have a minimum decay time. Check DecayRate in the game settings as well.
Players report decay still happening. Ensure the server fully restarted and players are on the correct server (not a cached instance).
Hosting panel doesn’t show the option. Some panels hide advanced settings. Use “Edit Config” or “Advanced” mode, or manually upload a modified ServerHostSettings.json.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set decay to zero to disable it completely?

Yes, setting CastleDecayRate to 0 disables decay entirely. However, some server versions may ignore 0 and still apply a minimum decay. Test it.

Does this affect all castles on the server?

Yes, the setting is global. It applies to every player’s castle, including your own.

Is there a separate setting for offline decay?

V Rising uses the same decay rate for both online and offline time. There’s no separate offline multiplier in the standard settings.

Do I need to edit the file every time I update the server?

Major game updates may overwrite configuration files. Back up your settings and reapply after updates if needed.

Can I change decay rate from within the game?

No, it’s a server-side setting only. You need file or panel access.

What’s the default decay rate?

The default is 1.0, meaning structures decay at the standard rate. Lower values slow decay, higher values speed it up.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.