# WARDOGS server settings

> What a WARDOGS community server admin can set today, from bans, rules and ping limits to restarts and RCON, and what comes with the server build.

By the Wilderack Crew. Last reviewed 2026-11-13. Topic: Config reference.

_Wilderack is not affiliated with BULKHEAD or Team17. WARDOGS community servers come only from BULKHEAD's approved hosting partners, so WARDOGS servers open on Wilderack only once BULKHEAD approves us._

_WARDOGS is a trademark of Team17 Digital Ltd. Wilderack is not affiliated with or endorsed by Team17 Digital Ltd._

WARDOGS community servers have a growing set of admin controls. This page lists what BULKHEAD's patch notes say admins can set today. The server's own files aren't public, so file names and exact keys come once we have the build.

> [!NOTE]
> WARDOGS servers can't be ordered on Wilderack yet. The server build only goes to BULKHEAD's approved hosting partners. We open WARDOGS once BULKHEAD and Team17 approve Wilderack as a hosting partner, and we'll fill in the files and keys then.

## What admins control

| Setting | What it does | Patch notes |
|---|---|---|
| Server name | The name in the browser. Names sort A to Z, and you can't use more than one space in a row | Patch 0.11 |
| Server image | An image shown with your server in the browser (`ServerImageURL`), checked when the config loads | Update 0.1.2 |
| Daily restart time | When the server restarts each day, in UTC | Update 0.1.2 |
| Ping limit | Players above it for a while are kicked. Set your own, stricter or looser than official servers | Season 02 |
| Server Rules popup | Rules every player sees when they join | Season 03 |
| Bans and reserved slots | Who can't join, and who always can | Season 03 |
| RCON AllowedHosts | Which addresses may use RCON | Update 0.1.2 |

## Ping limits

Official servers kick players whose ping stays above 250 for a sustained time, in every region. Community servers set their own limit. A stricter limit keeps matches fair for nearby players. A looser one lets friends from other regions play together.

## Daily restarts

Pick a restart time when your server is quietest. The time is in UTC. On Wilderack, the server stays on all day and restarts at the time you set.

## RCON

RCON lets admin tools manage the server without joining. Since Update 0.1.2:

- `AllowedHosts` limits which addresses may connect to RCON.
- Message and broadcast lengths are capped.
- Responses default to a standard level of detail and no longer show the server's internals.

On Wilderack, the panel's **Console** will use RCON for you, and RCON stays closed to the internet unless you open it for an outside tool.

## Bans and reserved slots

Ban cheaters and troublemakers on the spot, and keep reserved slots for your members. Season 03 fixed unbans and reserved slot removals being undone when server settings were saved, so make sure your server runs the latest build.

## What not to change

BULKHEAD has said community hosts seen exploiting the faction bonus will be punished. Leave team balance and rewards as they come.

## Coming once we have the build

When Wilderack becomes a partner we'll add the server's config files, every key and its default, and which settings the panel's **Settings** tab can change for you.

## Questions and answers

### Can WARDOGS community servers set their own ping limit?

Yes. Official servers use a ping limit of 250 in every region since Season 03, and community admins can set their own, stricter or looser.

### Does WARDOGS have RCON?

Yes. Community servers have RCON, and admins can limit which addresses may use it with AllowedHosts. Message and broadcast lengths are capped.

### Where is the WARDOGS server config file?

The server build only goes to BULKHEAD's approved hosting partners, so its files aren't public. We'll list each file and setting here once Wilderack is a partner and we have the build.

## Sources

- [Update 0.1.2](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1845383656376490), BULKHEAD
- [Season 02 Patch Notes](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1846651706674560), BULKHEAD
- [Season 03 Patch Notes](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1867240/view/1849192144179736), BULKHEAD

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Canonical page: https://wilderack.com/wiki/wardogs/config-reference/
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Corrections: support@wilderack.com