This guide covers setting up your Pavlov VR dedicated server on Legion Hosting, including API key registration, first start, Game.ini configuration, game modes, map rotation, and how to connect. For Workshop map setup, see Pavlov VR Workshop Maps. For RCON and admin commands, see Pavlov VR Admin Commands.

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Getting an API Key

A Pavlov API key is required for your server to appear in the public server browser. Without a valid key, players will not be able to find your server through the in-game server list.

1. Launch Pavlov VR on your headset.
2. Open Settings and navigate to the General tab.
3. Click the Generate Server Code button. This creates a 6-character code that is valid for 15 minutes.
4. On your computer or phone, visit pavlov-ms.vankrupt.com/servers/v1/key.
5. Enter the 6-character code and verify your identity via SMS when prompted.
6. Copy the API key that is generated. Store it in a safe place such as a password manager.

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First Start

After purchasing your Pavlov VR server from Legion Hosting, follow these steps to get it running for the first time:

1. Log into GPanel and select your Pavlov VR server.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Configure the required startup variables:
   • API_KEY -- Paste the API key you obtained in the previous step. This is required for server browser listing.
   • RCON_PASSWORD -- Set a strong password for remote console access. The default is CHANGE_ME -- you must change this before starting.
4. Review the optional startup variables:
   • RCON_PORT -- The port used for RCON connections. Leave at default unless you have a specific reason to change it.
   • SRCDS_BETAID -- Leave empty for the stable release. Set to beta_server to run the beta branch.
5. Go to the Console tab and click Start.
6. The server will download the Pavlov dedicated server files and generate default configuration files. This may take several minutes on first launch.
7. Once the server finishes starting, stop it to begin customising your configuration.

Startup Variable	Default	Required	Description
API_KEY	--	Yes	Your Pavlov API key from pavlov-ms.vankrupt.com. Required for server browser listing.
RCON_PASSWORD	CHANGE_ME	Yes	Password for RCON access. Change this from the default before starting your server.
RCON_PORT	--	No	TCP port for RCON connections. Check the GPanel Network tab for your assigned port.
SRCDS_BETAID	--	No	Set to beta_server to use the beta branch. Leave empty for stable.

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Game.ini Configuration

The primary configuration file for your Pavlov VR server is Game.ini, located at:

Pavlov/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini

Open this file using the GPanel Files tab. All settings go under the [/Script/Pavlov.DedicatedServer] section header.

Minimal Working Configuration

[/Script/Pavlov.DedicatedServer]
bEnabled=true
ServerName=My Legion Pavlov Server
MaxPlayers=10
bSecured=true
bCustomServer=true
bCompetitive=false
bWhitelist=false
MapRotation=(MapId="datacenter", GameMode="SND")
MapRotation=(MapId="sand", GameMode="TDM")
MapRotation=(MapId="bridge", GameMode="DM")

Full Configuration Example

The following example shows all commonly used settings:

[/Script/Pavlov.DedicatedServer]
bEnabled=true
ServerName=My Legion Pavlov Server
MaxPlayers=10
bSecured=true
bCustomServer=true
bCompetitive=false
bVerboseLogging=false
bWhitelist=false
RefreshListTime=120
LimitedAmmoType=0
TickRate=90
TimeLimit=60
AFKTimeLimit=300
#Password=1234
MapRotation=(MapId="datacenter", GameMode="SND")
MapRotation=(MapId="sand", GameMode="TDM")
MapRotation=(MapId="bridge", GameMode="DM")
MapRotation=(MapId="station", GameMode="GUN")
MapRotation=(MapId="containeryard", GameMode="TTT")

Key Settings Reference

Setting	Example Value	Description
bEnabled	true	Must be true for the dedicated server to accept connections.
ServerName	My Legion Pavlov Server	The name displayed in the in-game server browser. Make it descriptive so players can find you.
MaxPlayers	10	Maximum number of players. PC supports up to 24 (or higher on some modes). Set this to match your server plan.
bSecured	true	Enables EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat). Set to true for public servers to prevent cheating.
bCustomServer	true	Enables custom server features including modding tools, save/HTTP functions, and writing to blacklist.txt for bans. Recommended for most servers.
bCompetitive	false	Enables competitive mode. Only applies to SND (Search and Destroy).
bWhitelist	false	When true, only players listed in whitelist.txt can join the server.
Password	1234	A numeric PIN to password-protect your server. Comment out or remove this line for a public server.
TickRate	90	Server tick rate. Minimum stable value is around 50, maximum around 120. Higher values improve hit registration but use more CPU. Default of 90 is fine for most servers.
TimeLimit	60	Time limit per map in seconds. Only applies to time-based modes like TDM and DM -- modes with round-based logic (SND, TTT) use their own timers.
AFKTimeLimit	300	Seconds before an idle player is kicked. Set to 0 to disable.
LimitedAmmoType	0	Ammo mode: 0 = unlimited magazines, 1 = limited ammo, 2 = boxless (limited mags, no refill).
RefreshListTime	120	How often (in seconds) the server rechecks whitelist.txt, blacklist.txt, and mods.txt.
bVerboseLogging	false	Enables detailed logging. Useful for debugging but may affect performance.
MapRotation	(MapId="datacenter", GameMode="SND")	Defines a map and game mode in the rotation. Add multiple lines for a full rotation. See the Game Modes and Map Rotation sections below.

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Game Modes

Pavlov VR supports a variety of game modes. Use the abbreviation code in the GameMode field of your MapRotation entries.

Code	Game Mode	Description
SND	Search and Destroy	Round-based objective mode. Attackers plant a bomb at one of the bomb sites; defenders must prevent the plant or defuse. One life per round.
DM	Deathmatch	Free-for-all. All weapons available via the buy wheel. Most kills before the timer runs out wins.
TDM	Team Deathmatch	Two teams (NATO vs Russians) compete for the most kills with modern weapons. Short respawn timers.
GUN	Gun Game	Each kill advances you to the next weapon in a predefined list. First player to get a kill with the final weapon wins.
WW2GUN	WW2 Gun Game	Gun Game variant using World War 2 era weapons only.
OITC	One in the Chamber	Every player spawns with a single bullet. Get a kill to earn another bullet. Knife is always available as backup.
TTT	Trouble in Terrorist Town	Social deduction mode. Traitors must kill innocents and the sheriff without being discovered. Innocents must identify and eliminate traitors.
KOTH	King of the Hill	Teams compete to hold a central point on the map. Score by maintaining control of the hill.
ZWV	Zombie Wave Survival	Cooperative mode. Players work together to survive waves of AI zombies. Earn cash between rounds to buy weapons.
HIDE	The Hidden	Asymmetric mode. One near-invisible monster with enhanced movement and thermal vision hunts an armed task force.
INFECTION	Hidden Infection	Variant of The Hidden where eliminated players join the monster team on death.
PUSH	Push	Linear objective mode. Attackers push through sequential objectives while defenders hold the line.
PH	Prop Hunt	One team hides as objects on the map while the other team hunts them down. Not supported on all maps.
TANKTDM	WW2 Team Deathmatch	TDM with WW2 weapons. Tanks spawn on maps that support them.

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Map Rotation

The map rotation is defined in Game.ini using multiple MapRotation lines. When a match ends, the server loads the next map in the rotation and loops back to the first entry when it reaches the end.

Format

MapRotation=(MapId="<map_name_or_ugc_id>", GameMode="<mode_code>")

Example Rotation with Default Maps

MapRotation=(MapId="datacenter", GameMode="SND")
MapRotation=(MapId="sand", GameMode="TDM")
MapRotation=(MapId="bridge", GameMode="DM")
MapRotation=(MapId="containeryard", GameMode="KOTH")
MapRotation=(MapId="station", GameMode="TTT")
MapRotation=(MapId="santorini", GameMode="GUN")
MapRotation=(MapId="bunker", GameMode="PUSH")
MapRotation=(MapId="siberia", GameMode="TDM")

Built-in Map Names

Map ID	Map Name	Notes
datacenter	Data Center	Symmetrical indoor map with long corridors. Supports most modes.
sand	Sand	Middle Eastern theme inspired by CS Dust. Supports most modes.
bridge	Bridge	European canal city. Good for SND, TDM, DM.
station	Station	Underground subway with multi-level layout.
containeryard	Container Yard	Industrial setting. Supports Prop Hunt.
santorini	Santorini	Greek island village.
siberia	Siberia	Snow-covered outdoor map.
industry	Industry	Industrial compound.
bunker	Bunker	Compact bunker interior.
foundation	Foundation	Construction site.
hospital	Hospital	Indoor hospital layout.
carnival	Carnival	Carnival-themed map.
killhouse	Killhouse	Training course map. Good for co-op killhouse mode.
range	Firing Range	Practice range with targets.

You can also add Workshop maps to your rotation using UGC prefixed IDs. See Pavlov VR Workshop Maps for details on finding and adding custom maps.

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How to Connect

Via the In-Game Server Browser

1. Launch Pavlov VR from Steam.
2. From the main lobby, open the Server Browser on the in-game tablet or menu.
3. Search for your server by name (as set in ServerName in Game.ini).
4. Select your server and click Join.
5. If you set a PIN via the Password setting, players will be prompted to enter the code.

Via Direct Connect

1. Open the Pavlov VR server browser and look for the Direct Connect option.
2. Enter your server IP and game port (shown in GPanel's Network tab) in the format IP:Port.

Your server's IP address and ports are displayed in the GPanel Network tab. See How to Find Your Server IP and Port for details.

Server Not Appearing in the Browser?

• Verify your API key is correctly set in GPanel's Startup tab -- this is the most common cause.
• Confirm bEnabled=true is present in Game.ini.
• Check that the server has fully started by reviewing the console output in GPanel.
• Wait a few minutes -- the master server list may take time to update.
• Try connecting via direct IP to rule out a browser indexing delay.

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Related Articles

• Pavlov VR Workshop Maps
• Pavlov VR Admin Commands
• How to Find Your Server IP and Port
• How to Upload Files via SFTP
• Server Startup Guide

Need Help?

If you run into an issue not covered here, our support team is available to assist.