How to Host a SCUM Server for Your Community: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hosting your own SCUM server is one of the best ways to create a tailored survival experience for your friends or community — whether you want to keep it chill and PvE-friendly, or throw players into full-on chaos.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the full setup process — no fluff, just everything you need to know to get your SCUM server online and running smoothly.

Step 1: Decide Your Server Type

Before you hit “Buy,” figure out what kind of experience you’re building:

• PvE or PvP?

• Casual or Hardcore?

• Modded or Vanilla?

• Public or Private?

Knowing this helps you pick the right settings, mods, and server size.

Step 2: Pick a Hosting Provider

Here’s what to look for:

• Instant setup (not 12-hour wait times)

• Full file access + SFTP

• Mod support

• Scheduler for restarts/backups

• Active support team (not just a help center)

👋 At Kinetic Hosting, we check all those boxes — with plans sized specifically for SCUM’s heavier resource usage.

Step 3: Configure Your Settings

Once your server’s live, hop into the config files and tweak:

• AI spawn rates

• Loot frequency

• Vehicle limits

• KillBox event frequency

• PvP rules and admin settings

You can do all this in your host’s control panel or by editing the JSON configs directly.

Step 4: Add Mods (Optional)

Mods can seriously change how SCUM plays. You can:

• Add UI enhancements

• Increase realism

• Balance survival

• Add events/items

Upload them via SFTP, restart your server, and always test new mods one by one.

Step 5: Keep Your Server Alive

Once players start joining, your job shifts to community management. Here’s what helps:

• Scheduled restarts

• Daily backups

• Wipe dates posted in advance

• Discord server (with feedback channels)

• Occasional server events or challenges

Final Notes

You don’t need to be a server admin pro to run a great SCUM server — just a bit of patience, the right tools, and a host that doesn’t let you down.

Thinking of starting one? Check out our SCUM hosting plans — fast setup, full access, and no nonsense.

Let the survival begin.