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How to Configure DayZ Expansion AI

Important!

DayZ Expansion AI requires the following mods to be installed and loaded in this order:

CF (Community Framework)
DayZ Expansion Core
DayZ Expansion AI

If Expansion AI is installed without its dependencies, the server will fail to start.

Only edit this file while the server is stopped.

DayZ Expansion AI allows server owners to add AI-controlled units such as patrols, guards, and hostile NPCs to their server.
These AI are fully configurable and use their own configuration files, separate from vanilla DayZ settings.

This guide explains where the Expansion AI settings are located, what files matter, and what you should (and shouldn’t) change to start safely.

1. Log In to Your Panel

2. Stop Your Server

3. Select the ‘Files’ Tab

Select the Files tab and navigate to: home/container/profiles/ExpansionMod/Settings

This folder is automatically created by DayZ Expansion Vehicles during the first successful server startup.

If the folder does not exist:

  • Make sure DayZ Expansion AI is installed correctly
  • Start the server once, then stop it again
cybrancee panel dayz files tab with expansionmod settings folder path outlined
dayz files tab with expansion AI settings folder path and setting file outlined

Core Expansion AI Configuration

The AISettings.json file controls the global behaviour and combat logic of DayZ Expansion AI units.

These settings affect how accurate, aggressive, reactive, and dangerous AI units are across the entire server.

After making any changes, select the ‘Save Content‘ button, then restart your server for the new AI behaviour to take effect.

dayz expansion AI settings file with path outlined

Accuracy & Combat Difficulty

These values define how accurate AI units are when shooting.

  • AccuracyMin
    The lowest possible AI accuracy value.
    Lower values make AI less accurate at long range.
  • AccuracyMax
    The maximum possible AI accuracy.
    Higher values make AI more lethal, especially at close to mid range.

Tip: Lowering AccuracyMax is the safest way to reduce AI difficulty without breaking behaviour.

Detection & Awareness

These settings control how far AI can detect players and react to noise.

  • ThreatDistanceLimit
    Maximum distance (in meters) at which AI can detect hostile threats.
  • NoiseInvestigationDistanceLimit
    How far AI will investigate sounds such as gunshots or movement.

Higher values make AI feel more alert and reactive across larger areas.

Movement & Tactics

  • MaxFlankingDistance
    Maximum distance AI will use when attempting flanking manoeuvres.
  • EnableFlankingOutsideCombat
    Enables flanking behaviour even when not actively engaged in combat.
    0 = Disabled
    1 = Enabled
  • Vaulting
    Allows AI to vault over obstacles.
    1 = Enabled (recommended)

Damage Scaling

  • DamageMultiplier
    Controls how much damage AI deal to players.
  • DamageReceivedMultiplier
    Controls how much damage AI receive from players.

Example: Setting DamageReceivedMultiplier to 0.8 makes AI slightly easier to kill.

Aggression Behaviour

  • AggressionTimeout
    Time (in seconds) AI remain aggressive after losing sight of a target.
  • GuardAggressionTimeout
    Similar to the above, but for guard-type AI.

Higher values mean AI stay hostile for longer periods.

Recruitment & Friendly AI

  • CanRecruitFriendly
    Allows players to recruit friendly AI.
    1 = Enabled
  • CanRecruitGuards
    Allows recruiting guard AI.
    0 = Disabled
  • MaxRecruitableAI
    Maximum number of AI a player can recruit.

Logging & Debugging

These options control server-side AI logging.

  • LogAIHitBy
    Logs when AI are hit.
  • LogAIKilled
    Logs when AI are killed.

Useful for debugging or monitoring AI activity.

Night Visibility

  • LightingConfigMinNightVisibilityMeters
    Controls AI night vision distance based on lighting conditions.

0 → Clear night conditions
1 → Dark or poor lighting conditions

Lower values make AI less effective at night.

Other Behaviour Controls

  • Manners / MemeLevel
    Cosmetic or flavour behaviour settings.
    Safe to leave at default values.
  • OverrideClientWeaponFiring
    Forces server-side validation of AI weapon firing.
    Recommended to keep enabled.
  • RecreateWeaponNetworkRepresentation
    Helps prevent desync issues with AI weapons.

Good to Know

Changes in Expansion settings always require a full server restart.

Expansion configuration files are independent from vanilla DayZ settings.

For patrols, vehicles, or advanced AI behaviour, each Expansion module uses its own config files.

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