Disable Player Damage on ETS2 & ATS Servers

This guide shows you how to turn off player damage on a Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) or American Truck Simulator (ATS) dedicated server. This is useful for casual convoys, roleplay events, or when you simply want to avoid the frustration of accidental collisions ruining a long delivery. You’ll need access to the server’s configuration files, either through a hosting panel or directly on the machine running the server.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the server’s file system (FTP, hosting panel file manager, or local folder).
• The server must be stopped before editing configuration files.
• A text editor (Notepad++ or VS Code recommended, but any plain text editor works).

Step-by-Step

1. Stop the server. If the server is running, shut it down gracefully through your hosting panel or by sending the appropriate command in the console. Editing files while the server is running can cause changes to be overwritten or the server to crash.
2. Locate the configuration file. The main configuration file for ETS2/ATS dedicated servers is named server_config.sii. It is usually found in the same directory as the server executable (e.g., dedicated_server folder) or in the server’s root directory. If you’re using a hosting provider, the file is typically accessible via the file manager.
3. Back up the file. Before making any changes, copy server_config.sii and rename the copy to server_config.sii.bak. This allows you to restore the original settings if something goes wrong.
4. Open the file in a text editor. Use a plain text editor to open server_config.sii. Avoid using word processors like MS Word, as they may introduce unwanted formatting.
5. Find the damage setting. Look for a line that contains g_save_online or more importantly, scroll down to find the section labeled game_settings or similar. The exact key is g_developer and g_console, but the one you need is g_damage_to_players. In some versions, it may be listed as damage_to_players.
6. Change the value to 0. Set the value to 0 to disable player damage. For example, the line should look like: g_damage_to_players: 0. If the line is missing, you can add it under the game_settings section.
7. Save the file. Save the changes and close the text editor.
8. Restart the server. Start the server again. The new setting will take effect once the server is fully loaded.
9. Verify the change. Connect to the server with a second account or ask another player to test. Have one truck crash into another; the truck should not take damage, and the driver should not receive a damage penalty.

Common Mistakes

• Editing while the server is running. The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown or crash if the file is locked.
• Wrong file. Make sure you are editing server_config.sii, not config.cfg (which is for the client) or server_packages.sii.
• Typo in the key name. The key must be exactly g_damage_to_players (case-sensitive). A typo will cause the server to ignore it.
• Using a value other than 0 or 1. The setting accepts only 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled). Using another number may cause unexpected behavior.
• Not restarting the server. The change only applies after a full restart, not a map reload.

Tips

• Combine with traffic damage settings. If you also want to disable damage from AI traffic, look for g_damage_to_traffic and set it to 0 as well.
• Use a config generator. Some hosting panels offer a visual config editor that lets you toggle this option without manually editing the file.
• Test on a private server first. If you’re unsure, try the change on a test server before applying it to your main community server.
• Document your changes. Keep a note of what you changed and why, so you can easily revert if needed.

Troubleshooting

• Players still take damage after the change. Double-check that the file was saved correctly and that the server was fully restarted. Also, ensure that no other mods or plugins are overriding the setting.
• The server won’t start after editing. This usually indicates a syntax error. Restore the backup file and try again, making sure the line is exactly g_damage_to_players: 0 (with a space after the colon).
• The setting is not in the file. Some server versions may not include this key by default. Add it manually under the game_settings section. If the section doesn’t exist, create it.
• Damage still applies to cargo. This setting only affects player-to-player damage. Cargo damage from collisions with the environment or AI is controlled by a different setting (g_cargo_damage). If you want to disable that too, set it to 0.
• Hosting panel doesn’t show the option. If your panel has a GUI editor, look for a checkbox labeled “Player Damage” or similar. If not, use the file manager to edit the raw file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling player damage affect AI traffic damage?

No, it only affects damage between players. To disable AI traffic damage, set g_damage_to_traffic to 0 as well.

Will this work on a rented server?

Yes, as long as you have file access. Most hosting providers allow you to edit the server config file through their panel or FTP.

Can I change this setting while players are online?

No, the server must be stopped and restarted for the change to take effect.

Is there a way to disable damage without editing files?

Not directly. Some server management tools or mods may offer this option, but the most reliable method is editing the config file.

What if I want to re-enable damage later?

Simply change the value back to 1 and restart the server.

Does this setting affect the truck’s physical damage model?

No, it only prevents damage from collisions between players. Trucks will still visually deform in collisions, but no damage penalty is applied.

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