How to set up a Dragonwilds dedicated server

Before you start

You need a 64-bit Windows or Linux machine, your RAM sized to your player count, and your in-game Player Id (open Dragonwilds, go to Settings, and look at the bottom left for “My Player ID”). The server will not start without it — that Id becomes the world's Owner and is what gives you admin commands once you join.

Step by step

1. 1Install SteamCMD. Download SteamCMD for your platform and run it once so it finishes its own first-time update.
2. 2Install the dedicated server. From the SteamCMD prompt: login anonymous, then force_install_dir ./dragonwilds-server, then app_update 4019830 validate. This is a separate Steam app from the game itself.
3. 3Edit DedicatedServer.ini. Find it under RSDragonwilds/Saved/Config/Linux/DedicatedServer.ini (or WindowsServer on Windows) in the section [/Script/Dominion.DedicatedServerSettings], and set OwnerId (your in-game Player Id, from Settings → the bottom-left of the menu), ServerName, DefaultWorldName, and AdminPassword. World password is optional — leave it blank for an open world.
4. 4Launch the server. Start the server binary with -log -NewConsole so you get a console window showing what the server is doing.
5. 5Open the port. Forward one UDP port — 7777 by default — through your firewall, router, and (if it filters inbound traffic) your ISP. Running a second server on the same box needs a second port, e.g. 7778 or a custom one via -port=.
6. 6Join it. In-game, open Worlds → Public and search the exact, case-sensitive world name you set as DefaultWorldName. Enter the world password if you set one.

Keeping it updated

The server log (RSDragonwilds.log) shows the server build near the top; compare it against the client version shown in the top-left corner of the game. A mismatch after a game update means the server needs re-running app_update 4019830 before players can rejoin. Config edits only take effect on a restart — anything you change while the server is running is discarded.

Common problems

• World not showing in the Public tab: the Owner Id is usually missing or malformed in DedicatedServer.ini.
• Can't connect at all: the UDP port isn't actually forwarded, or a software firewall on the server machine is blocking it.
• Players can see the world but can't join: check the world name is spelled exactly, including case — it's not a fuzzy search.
• A Steam invite doesn't connect anyone: dedicated servers don't support Steam invites yet. Share the world name directly instead.

Or skip all of this

Wyrm Host runs every one of these steps for you: the install, the Owner Id, the port, and the update windows, live in minutes. See Dragonwilds server hosting.