Config Guide

Config Guide

The config file is:

config/zombieapocalypseaddon-common.toml

Start the server once to generate the file. Stop the server before editing it.

Compatibility Defaults

The [compatibility] section is safe to leave unchanged. Its defaults recognize modded zombies while avoiding the most common conflicts:

enableModdedZombieCompatibility = true
applyDifficultyToModdedZombies = true
applyAiFeaturesToModdedZombies = true
respectExternalSpawnRules = true
respectExternalZombieAi = true
respectExternalDifficulty = true
respectZombieDoorBreakingAbility = true
additionalZombieEntityTypes = ""
excludedZombieEntityTypes = ""
preserveExistingZombieEquipment = true

Keep every respect... option and preserveExistingZombieEquipment enabled unless you deliberately want systems from multiple mods to stack. Use /zcompat status to see the live state.

Most modded zombies need no entity list because they extend Minecraft's normal Zombie class. For an unusual mob that does not, use a comma-separated exact ID such as:

additionalZombieEntityTypes = "examplemod:infected,examplemod:walker"

To keep a boss or friendly zombie completely outside this addon:

excludedZombieEntityTypes = "examplemod:zombie_boss,examplemod:friendly_zombie"

Exclusions always win. Invalid or missing IDs are ignored and reported when debug logging is enabled. See Mod Compatibility before changing these fields.

Simple Presets

These are not separate files. They are suggested values to copy into the config or apply with commands.

Easy Apocalypse

Good for casual servers.

daySpawnInterval = 180
daySpawnChance = 0.25
zombiesPerSpawn = 1
maxDayZombiesPerPlayer = 30
daylightSpawnStartDay = 10
babyZombieChance = 0.0
maxBlockLightForSpawning = 7

Normal Apocalypse

Good first default for most survival servers.

daySpawnInterval = 120
daySpawnChance = 0.5
zombiesPerSpawn = 2
maxDayZombiesPerPlayer = 50
daylightSpawnStartDay = 0
babyZombieChance = 0.05
maxBlockLightForSpawning = -1

Hardcore Apocalypse

Use only after testing.

daySpawnInterval = 80
daySpawnChance = 0.75
zombiesPerSpawn = 3
maxDayZombiesPerPlayer = 80
daylightSpawnStartDay = 0
babyZombieChance = 0.08
maxBlockLightForSpawning = -1

Settings New Players Usually Want

Make Daytime Safer At The Start

Use:

daylightSpawnStartDay = 10

This means custom daytime spawning starts on day 10. Night spawning can still happen before then.

Make Torches Protect Bases

Use:

maxBlockLightForSpawning = 7

This makes custom spawns respect block light from torches, lanterns, glowstone, campfires, and similar blocks.

Important: sunlight is ignored on purpose. Daytime apocalypse spawning still works.

Disable Baby Zombies

Use:

babyZombieChance = 0.0

This disables new baby zombie-class spawns from this mod.

Zombie Block Breaking

Block breaking is disabled by default. Leave it off if you do not want zombies damaging player builds.

The important settings are under [blockbreaking]:

enableZombieBlockBreaking = false
zombieBlockBreakingStartDay = 10
zombieBlockBreakingInterval = 100
zombieBlockBreakingChance = 0.2
zombieBlockBreakingRange = 1
zombieBlockBreakingMaxHardness = 3.0
zombieBlockBreakingDropBlocks = false
zombieBlockBreakingRequireTarget = true
zombieBlockBreakingRequireObstacle = true
zombieBlockBreakingRespectMobGriefing = true
zombieBlockBreakingAllowBlockEntities = false
zombieBlockBreakingAllowToolRequiredBlocks = false
zombieBlockBreakingAllowLightBlocks = false

Default 100 ticks means each zombie checks at most once every 5 seconds, then has a 20% chance to try. Containers, machines, light sources, blocks requiring tools, unloaded areas, world-border blocks, and unbreakable blocks remain protected by default.

For the safest setup, keep range at 1, keep drops disabled, and keep all three Allow settings false. Protection mods can cancel the loader block-break event when zombieBlockBreakingRespectMobGriefing is true.

Zombie Block Placing

Block placing is separate from block breaking and is also disabled by default. It only makes one-block steps and fills one-block-deep gaps.

The settings are under [blockplacing]:

enableZombieBlockPlacing = false
zombieBlockPlacingStartDay = 15
zombieBlockPlacingInterval = 100
zombieBlockPlacingChance = 0.15
zombieBlockPlacingBlock = "minecraft:cobblestone"
zombieBlockPlacingMaxPerZombie = 8
zombieBlockPlacingMaxTargetDistance = 32
zombieBlockPlacingRequireTarget = true
zombieBlockPlacingRequireObstacle = true
zombieBlockPlacingRespectMobGriefing = true
zombieBlockPlacingAllowBridges = true
zombieBlockPlacingAllowSteps = true
zombieBlockPlacingReplaceFluids = false
zombieBlockPlacingReplaceReplaceableBlocks = false

Default 100 ticks means each zombie checks at most once every 5 seconds. The 15% chance is checked only after the timing, target, distance, and obstacle rules pass.

The block ID must name a stable, solid, breakable block without a block entity. Good choices include minecraft:cobblestone, minecraft:dirt, and minecraft:oak_planks. Air, sand, gravel, fluids, unbreakable blocks, chests, machines, and non-solid blocks are rejected.

For the safest setup, keep the lifetime limit low, require a target and obstacle, protect fluids and replaceable blocks, and keep zombieBlockPlacingRespectMobGriefing true. The normal loader block-place event is always fired so claim and protection mods can cancel placement.

Zombie Towering

Towering is separate from block placing and block breaking. It is disabled by default and only changes zombie movement.

The settings are under [towering]:

enableZombieTowering = false
zombieToweringStartDay = 20
zombieToweringInterval = 20
zombieToweringChance = 0.45
zombieToweringMaxTargetDistance = 32
zombieToweringMinNearbyZombies = 2
zombieToweringCrowdRadius = 2.25
zombieToweringVerticalBoost = 0.48
zombieToweringForwardBoost = 0.18
zombieToweringMaxHeightAboveTarget = 8
zombieToweringRequireObstacle = true

Default 20 ticks means each zombie checks at most once per second, with checks staggered by entity ID. The chance roll runs before the nearby-entity lookup. A successful boost still requires a valid target, enough nearby zombie-class mobs, block clearance, and either a collision, barrier, raised target, or covered target.

For the safest setup, keep the feature disabled or use a late start day. If enabled, keep the crowd radius small, require at least two nearby zombies, leave the obstacle requirement on, and keep the height limit bounded.

Reduce Lag

Change these first:

daySpawnInterval = 180
zombiesPerSpawn = 1
maxDayZombiesPerPlayer = 30
spawnAttemptsPerZombie = 5
enableDebugLogging = false

Fix An Invalid Spawn Distance

minSpawnDistance must fit inside the square created by spawnRange. For example, range 30 reaches about 42 blocks at its farthest corners. Setting the minimum above 42 pauses custom spawning because no valid point exists.

Run this to see a clear warning and the maximum valid minimum:

/zdayspawn status

Either lower minSpawnDistance or raise spawnRange.

What The Big Systems Mean

Custom Spawning

The mod checks nearby survival players every interval. If the chance roll passes, it tries to place zombie-class mobs nearby.

Hordes

Hordes are timed events with stronger spawn pressure and bigger waves.

Blood Moons

Blood moons happen at night and raise spawn pressure heavily.

Difficulty Scaling

Scaling makes zombies stronger as the world day increases.

Advanced Attributes

The attribute system lets you tune health, attack, speed, armor, follow range, and knockback resistance. New users should leave this alone until the basic spawn settings feel good.

Other Useful Settings

Zombie Sun Burning

preventSunBurn controls whether zombie-class mobs are protected from burning in daylight.

• true means zombies do not burn in sunlight.
• false means zombies burn like vanilla.

Extra Drops

enableExtraDrops turns bonus zombie drops on or off.

Useful drop chances include:

• boneChance
• stringChance
• gunpowderChance
• enderPearlChance
• phantomMembraneChance

Set a chance to 0.0 to disable that drop.

Event Notifications

enableEventNotifications controls horde and blood moon screen alerts.

enableDayCounterAnnouncements controls the morning day counter title.

Statistics

enableStatistics controls the kill totals shown by /zstats.

Milestone advancements keep their own progress so achievements can still work if /zstats totals are disabled.

Milestone advancements are awarded at:

• 250 zombie kills
• 1000 zombie kills
• 3000 zombie kills

Performance Tips

The most expensive settings are:

• low daySpawnInterval
• high zombiesPerSpawn
• high maxDayZombiesPerPlayer
• high spawnAttemptsPerZombie
• low zombieBlockBreakingInterval when block breaking is enabled
• high zombieBlockBreakingRange when block breaking is enabled
• low zombieToweringInterval when towering is enabled
• high zombieToweringCrowdRadius when towering is enabled
• debug logging left on

For weak servers, keep spawn checks slower and caps lower.