DayZ knowledge topic

DayZ loot economy

A loot and economy-focused index from the current DayZ server file knowledge base.

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36 current knowledge base matches These cards are selected from the existing knowledge base data, with no new technical content added.
Economy / Mission db

Central economy relationship map

A quick map of how central economy files depend on each other.

types.xml events.xml globals.xml economy.xml
Existing editable values
  • economy.xml turns economy systems on or off.
  • globals.xml global limits and cleanup constants.
  • types.xml item population and spawn filters.
  • events.xml dynamic event population and event children.
Economy / Mission db

Economy cleanup values

How cleanup-related values decide when bodies, ruined items, dropped loot and event objects disappear.

globals.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • CleanupLifetimeDeadPlayer dead player body cleanup time.
  • CleanupLifetimeRuined ruined item cleanup time.
  • CleanupLifetimeDeadAnimal dead animal cleanup time when present.
  • types.xml lifetime item cleanup if untouched.
Dynamic events / Mission db

events.xml

Defines dynamic event behavior such as vehicle spawns, infected groups, animals, wrecks and other event-driven objects.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\events.xml
Existing editable values
  • nominal, min, max event population targets.
  • lifetime, restock, saferadius timing and spacing.
  • active enables or disables the event.
  • children objects spawned by the event.
Loot economy / Mission db

types.xml

Defines loot classes and central economy values: how many items can exist, where they spawn, and how they respawn.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\types.xml
Existing editable values
  • nominal target amount in the economy.
  • min minimum amount before respawn pressure increases.
  • lifetime seconds before abandoned item cleanup.
  • restock delay before restocking.
Loot economy / Mission custom db

types_user.xml / custom types files

Optional custom economy files used to keep modded or server-specific loot separate from vanilla `types.xml`.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\types_user.xml mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\custom\*.xml
Existing editable values
  • type name custom item classname.
  • nominal, min, lifetime same meaning as `types.xml`.
  • category, usage, value spawn filters.
  • cfgeconomycore.xml file registration required if the file is outside the default loaded set.
Mission structure / Mission db

db folder

Core central economy folder. Contains most files that control loot, events, globals, messages and economy switches.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db
Existing editable values
  • types.xml item loot definitions.
  • events.xml dynamic event definitions.
  • globals.xml global economy constants.
  • economy.xml high-level economy toggles.
Launcher workflow / Editor

Launcher Editor: Loot Editor

Use the Loot Editor to inspect and edit item economy values through the launcher instead of hand-editing XML.

types.xml cfgeconomycore.xml mod economy XML
Existing editable values
  • Loot sources browse mission and mod economy XML sources.
  • Add to server add a mod loot source to the server economy when supported.
  • Enable/disable economy entry toggle managed economy entries.
  • nominal/min/lifetime/restock edit core item population values.
Economy / Mission db

globals.xml

Global central economy constants. Controls high-level behavior for cleanup, spawn limits and economy timing.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\globals.xml
Existing editable values
  • CleanupLifetimeDeadPlayer, CleanupLifetimeRuined cleanup timing.
  • AnimalMaxCount, ZombieMaxCount broad AI population caps.
  • LootProxyPlacement loot placement behavior.
  • RestartSpawn economy behavior after restart.
Persistence / Mission storage

Restart vs wipe after economy edits

Explains when a normal restart is enough and when persistence cleanup is needed for economy changes to be visible.

db\*.xml storage_1
Existing editable values
  • restart reloads XML and scripts.
  • storage cleanup removes persisted world state that may still hold old items.
  • full wipe resets players, bases, vehicles and world economy.
  • world wipe resets world objects while preserving players if handled carefully.
Loot economy / Mission db

types.xml count flags

Count flags decide what existing items are counted toward nominal/min limits. These flags strongly affect rare loot availability.

types.xml
Existing editable values
  • count_in_map=1 items lying in the world count against the economy target.
  • count_in_player=1 items carried by online/offline players count against the economy target.
  • count_in_cargo=1 items inside inventory cargo count against the target.
  • count_in_hoarder=1 items stored in tents, barrels or containers count against the target.
Derived workflow / Mission db

Derived map: how a custom event becomes active

Explains the complete condition chain for a custom DayZ event to actually appear in-game.

events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml cfgeventgroups.xml cfgspawnabletypes.xml
Existing editable values
  • events.xml event name defines the event and population target. This is the main switchboard.
  • active=1 the event must be enabled.
  • nominal/min/max decides how many event instances the economy wants.
  • child type defines what object/classname the event creates.
Troubleshooting / Mission db

Loot not spawning checklist

Step-by-step knowledge for diagnosing why an item configured in `types.xml` does not appear in-game.

types.xml mapgroupproto.xml cfglimitsdefinition.xml storage_1
Existing editable values
  • type name must match a real classname from vanilla or loaded mods.
  • nominal > 0 item needs a target population above zero.
  • lifetime > 0 item must live long enough to be found.
  • category/usage/value must match valid names and supported map groups.
Vehicles / Mission db

Vehicle spawn workflow

Vehicle spawning is split across multiple files. `events.xml` controls population, `cfgeventspawns.xml` controls coordinates, and `cfgspawnabletypes.xml` controls parts/cargo.

events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml cfgspawnabletypes.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • events.xml nominal/min/max how many vehicles the economy tries to keep active.
  • events.xml child type actual vehicle classname, for example a car or truck class.
  • cfgeventspawns.xml pos possible world coordinates for the vehicle event.
  • cfgspawnabletypes.xml attachments wheels, doors, battery, spark plug and other parts.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: add a custom loot item

Complete path for making a modded item spawn naturally in the world.

-mod= types.xml cfgeconomycore.xml mapgroupproto.xml
Existing editable values
  • -mod load the mod that defines the item classname.
  • keys/*.bikey add the mod key for signature verification.
  • types.xml type name add exact classname.
  • nominal/min/lifetime/restock configure population and cleanup.
Complex workflow / Mission files

Workflow: base building balance

Tunes base building rules, required materials and persistence cleanup balance.

cfggameplay.json types.xml globals.xml storage_1
Existing editable values
  • cfggameplay.json BaseBuildingData placement/building restrictions.
  • types.xml nails, planks, tools, tents, barrels and storage item availability.
  • lifetime cleanup timing for base/storage objects.
  • count_in_hoarder whether stored items affect loot economy.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: raid and explosive balance

Balances raiding by changing availability of explosives, ammo, tools and base damage rules.

types.xml cfggameplay.json globals.xml
Existing editable values
  • types.xml explosives nominal/min/lifetime for grenades, claymores or modded raid tools.
  • types.xml ammo/tools saws, lockpicks, ammo and repair tools.
  • usage/value controls where raid items spawn.
  • cfggameplay.json BaseBuildingData damage/placement rules when supported.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: spawn cars from economy

Complete multi-file workflow for adding or tuning car spawns through the central economy.

events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml cfgspawnabletypes.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • events.xml create or edit the vehicle event. Set `nominal`, `min`, `max`, `active=1`, event `position`, spacing and child vehicle classname.
  • cfgeventspawns.xml add spawn coordinates for the exact event name. Without positions, fixed vehicle events cannot appear.
  • cfgspawnabletypes.xml configure vehicle attachments such as wheels, doors, hood, trunk, battery, radiator and spark plug.
  • cfgspawnabletypes.xml cargo configure inventory items that can appear inside the car.
Economy / Mission root

cfgeconomycore.xml ce folder entries

Detailed explanation of `ce` folder registration. This controls which extra economy folders and XML files are loaded.

cfgeconomycore.xml
Existing editable values
  • ce folder folder path relative to the mission root.
  • file name XML file to load from that folder.
  • type economy file type such as types, events, globals or spawnabletypes.
  • load order custom files can override or extend behavior depending on how the mission loads them.
Loot economy / Mission db

cfglimitsdefinition.xml

Defines the valid names for categories, usages, values and tags used by `types.xml` and economy placement.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\cfglimitsdefinition.xml
Existing editable values
  • categories/category name item category labels such as weapons, clothes, food or tools.
  • usageflags/usage name location usage labels such as Military, Police, Farm or Hunting.
  • valueflags/value name loot tier labels such as Tier1, Tier2, Tier3 or Tier4.
  • tags/tag name extra spawn tags referenced by loot positions or map groups.
Loot economy / Mission root

cfgrandompresets.xml

Reusable random selection pools. Other economy files can reference presets so one logical group can randomly choose from many items.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\cfgrandompresets.xml
Existing editable values
  • cargo preset reusable cargo set for containers, infected or event rewards.
  • attachments preset reusable attachment set for weapons and clothing.
  • chance probability that a preset or child item is selected.
  • name preset identifier referenced by `cfgspawnabletypes.xml` or event children.
Loot economy / Mission root

cfgspawnabletypes preset references

Explains how `cfgspawnabletypes.xml` uses preset names from `cfgrandompresets.xml` to avoid repeating large cargo or attachment lists.

cfgspawnabletypes.xml cfgrandompresets.xml
Existing editable values
  • preset name of a reusable random preset.
  • attachments preset selected for weapon or clothing attachments.
  • cargo preset selected for inventory contents.
  • chance chance to apply that preset.
Loot economy / Mission root

cfgspawnabletypes.xml

Controls attachments and cargo that can spawn inside or on complex items, weapons, clothing and containers.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\cfgspawnabletypes.xml
Existing editable values
  • attachments possible attached parts.
  • cargo possible inventory contents.
  • chance probability for a group or item.
  • preset reusable spawn groups.
Persistence / Mission storage

Economy and persistence wipe

A wipe resets stored world state. Used after major economy changes, map changes, broken vehicle state or corrupted persistence.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\storage_1 mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\storage_*
Existing editable values
  • storage_1/data world objects, loot and base persistence chunks.
  • storage_1/players.db player character persistence.
  • storage_1/vehicles.bin vehicle state when present.
  • storage_1/economy.bin central economy runtime state when present.
Economy / Mission db

economy.xml

Turns central economy systems on or off, including dynamic and static economy behavior.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\economy.xml
Existing editable values
  • dynamic enables dynamic loot economy.
  • animals, zombies, vehicles feature economy toggles.
  • randoms random preset handling.
Loot economy / Mission db

types.xml category / usage / value

Explains how loot classification works. `category` describes item type, `usage` describes allowed places, and `value` often represents loot tier.

types.xml cfglimitsdefinition.xml mapgroupproto.xml
Existing editable values
  • category name broad item family such as weapons, food, tools, clothes or containers.
  • usage name map usage area such as Military, Police, Medic, Village, Town, Farm or Hunting.
  • value name loot tier or rarity band such as Tier1 through Tier4.
  • mapgroupproto usage building or object usage that must match the item usage.
Derived workflow / Mission db

Derived workflow: custom crate or airdrop event

Explains how a reward crate, airdrop-style object or custom container event is built from event population plus container cargo.

events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml cfgspawnabletypes.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • events.xml event population, active switch, lifetime and container child classname.
  • cfgeventspawns.xml fixed possible drop/crate positions when using coordinate-based placement.
  • cfgspawnabletypes.xml cargo groups for the crate/container classname.
  • cfgrandompresets.xml reusable random loot pools for crate cargo.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: add modded car correctly

Detailed workflow for adding a modded vehicle so it loads, spawns, has parts and lets players join.

-mod= keys\*.bikey events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml
Existing editable values
  • -mod=@VehicleMod clients need the vehicle mod because the asset is visible and drivable.
  • keys/*.bikey copy the mod key to the DayZ server install `keys` folder.
  • events.xml add an event with the vehicle classname as child.
  • cfgeventspawns.xml add coordinates for that exact event name.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: create loot crate event

Creates a dynamic loot crate, supply box or custom container event with configured cargo.

events.xml cfgeventspawns.xml cfgspawnabletypes.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • events.xml create event with crate/container child classname.
  • cfgeventspawns.xml add spawn coordinates for crate locations.
  • cfgspawnabletypes.xml add cargo groups for the crate classname.
  • cargo chance controls whether cargo groups appear.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: food and survival balance

Tunes survival difficulty through food loot, animal spawns and cleanup/population settings.

types.xml events.xml env\animal_territories.xml globals.xml
Existing editable values
  • types.xml food canned food, fruit, tools and cooking items.
  • types.xml water containers bottles, canteens and purification items.
  • animal territories huntable animal availability.
  • events.xml animal events animal population if event-driven.
Complex workflow / Mission db

Workflow: military loot balance

Balances military weapons, ammo and equipment across tiers and military areas.

types.xml mapgroupproto.xml cfglimitsdefinition.xml storage_1
Existing editable values
  • types.xml nominal/min target counts for weapons and ammo.
  • usage=Military restricts items to military-capable loot groups.
  • value=Tier* controls tier distribution when map groups support tiers.
  • count_in_player/hoarder controls whether stashed weapons block spawns.
Complex workflow / Mission root

Workflow: tune vehicle condition and completeness

Controls whether spawned vehicles are nearly complete, damaged, missing parts, or stocked with cargo.

cfgspawnabletypes.xml events.xml types.xml
Existing editable values
  • cfgspawnabletypes attachments list every possible attached part.
  • chance higher chance means that part appears more often.
  • healthMin, healthMax controls damaged vs pristine parts when supported.
  • cargo items inside the vehicle inventory.
Economy / Mission root

cfgeconomycore.xml

Registers economy XML files and mod economy folders so the mission can load additional loot definitions.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\cfgeconomycore.xml
Existing editable values
  • ce folder economy folder registration.
  • file name XML file included in central economy.
  • type economy file purpose.
Dynamic events / Mission root

cfgeventgroups.xml

Defines grouped spawn compositions for dynamic events. Used when one event should spawn several objects together as a layout.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\cfgeventgroups.xml
Existing editable values
  • group name group identifier referenced by an event or event spawn.
  • child type classname spawned as part of the group.
  • pos local offset from the group center.
  • rpy local rotation for the child object.
Economy cleanup / Mission db

cfgignorelist.xml

List of objects ignored by central economy cleanup or persistence processing.

mpmissions\dayzOffline.*\db\cfgignorelist.xml
Existing editable values
  • type name classname excluded from normal cleanup handling.
  • commented entries useful for temporarily testing cleanup behavior without deleting the note.
Persistence / Mission storage and profiles

Complete wipe checklist

Clear checklist for performing a real wipe, including DayZ storage and mod-created profile state.

storage_1 storage_* profiles config\serverDZ.cfg
Existing editable values
  • Stop server never wipe while the process is running.
  • Backup back up mission folder, storage and profiles first.
  • storage_1/storage_* delete or archive DayZ world/player/economy persistence according to wipe type.
  • profiles mod state inspect and remove mod-created save files that are not pure config.
Dynamic events / Mission db

Event spacing values

Explains spacing controls that prevent events from spawning too close to players, other events or unsafe positions.

events.xml
Existing editable values
  • saferadius distance from players or unsafe areas depending on event type.
  • distanceradius spacing from similar events.
  • cleanupradius area checked during cleanup when present.
  • player player proximity behavior when present.