Tips for setting up a server for me and a mate?

[NorfolkDave]

Just got the game, mate of mine will be getting it in the next week or two and I am waiting before he does before I start to play too.
Can anyone give me some tips on setting up a server for two people new to the game?
1) Are there multiple maps? if so which do you recommend?
2) best settings to use for 2 people?
3) are there any must have mods that should be added to the server (and are they server side or client side?)
4) any non spoiler tips for new players?

Were currently playing Sons of the forest, so not afraid of grindy building(those unfamiliar with that, you build cabins log by log lol).
We have also had an ark server, conan server, 7 days to die server lol were no strangers to survival or setting up dedi's just want some tips on best settings for new players to the game.

[Morri]

First thing you must know is that MD is not a pure survival game. It has survival elements for sure, but in core it's a colony builder/management game. The focus is on building your city, recruiting people and getting everything automated.

The game also was designed for single play, but recently got a co-op map added to it.
So if you want to play co-op, you'll have to pick the Oxbow map.

The game does not support dedicated servers. When the host starts a game, you generate a code your friend can use to join your save. Saving happens by the host only, so if you are hosting, your friend can only play on that save when you are online, or when you share your savefile with him so he can continue on it solo.

The game does not have mod support.

As for what setting is the best; that depends on personal preference. Probably just start with the default. The host can change it at any time in the customisation settings.

If you have questions, look first at some of the helpful tips in the pinned topic: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1129580/discussions/0/4027970580223615280/

Don't ignore the 'tutorial' popups when you do something for the first time, and if you are curious about the mechanics, the knowledge tab ingame explains almost all you need to know.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask on the forum or on the discord!

[NorfolkDave]

Originally posted by Morri:

First thing you must know is that MD is not a pure survival game. It has survival elements for sure, but in core it's a colony builder/management game. The focus is on building your city, recruiting people and getting everything automated.

The game also was designed for single play, but recently got a co-op map added to it.
So if you want to play co-op, you'll have to pick the Oxbow map.

The game does not support dedicated servers. When the host starts a game, you generate a code your friend can use to join your save. Saving happens by the host only, so if you are hosting, your friend can only play on that save when you are online, or when you share your savefile with him so he can continue on it solo.

The game does not have mod support.

As for what setting is the best; that depends on personal preference. Probably just start with the default. The host can change it at any time in the customisation settings.

If you have questions, look first at some of the helpful tips in the pinned topic: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1129580/discussions/0/4027970580223615280/

Don't ignore the 'tutorial' popups when you do something for the first time, and if you are curious about the mechanics, the knowledge tab ingame explains almost all you need to know.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask on the forum or on the discord!

May wait for dedicated server support.
No issue on mod support (well ok its bad but not as important as dedi support for obvious reasons)
Good the options can be changed will start on default when we do.

If we play before dedi support is added;
Will my mate joining me have the same level of control over everything as me? (controlling the villagers etc, prefer equal access to game mechanics when playing together for obvious reasons)?

On the building side is that unlimited (or near to as nothing is truly unlimited)? we hit a snag with Nightingale recently where there was 3 limits:
100 buildings (not a bad limit)
300 structure pieces per building (a little limiting but not too much)
350 items placed per "realm" (my god that was limiting, we were removing decorations and lights to put crafting tables and storage chests down lol)

[Morri]

There will be no dedicated server support added that we know of. Imo it's not really needed either, as this game isn't a huge open world survival game.

Normally the co-op player has the same rights as the host (except saving and altering the game settings); though there were some bugs earlier with the production values of the buildings not showing properly for the co-op player. I think it's fixed by now, but i'm not 100% sure. If the bug is still there, it's best to let the host set them.

There is a default building limit of 70 buildings; which you can set to 200% (so 140 buildings) in the settings.
No limit on decorations and all the stuff you drop on the ground will stay there forever (except food which will turn to rot, and shot arrows to prevent them cluttering up the map).

Keep also in mind that the buildings in MD are prefab.

[NorfolkDave]

Originally posted by Morri:

There will be no dedicated server support added that we know of. Imo it's not really needed either, as this game isn't a huge open world survival game.

Normally the co-op player has the same rights as the host (except saving and altering the game settings); though there were some bugs earlier with the production values of the buildings not showing properly for the co-op player. I think it's fixed by now, but i'm not 100% sure. If the bug is still there, it's best to let the host set them.

There is a default building limit of 70 buildings; which you can set to 200% (so 140 buildings) in the settings.
No limit on decorations and all the stuff you drop on the ground will stay there forever (except food which will turn to rot, and shot arrows to prevent them cluttering up the map).

Keep also in mind that the buildings in MD are prefab.

Dedicated servers are a high priority in a co op game like this. People are not always about at the same time. The only time when they are not needed is when you have drop in, drop out multiplayer or a linear progression of story.

140 buildings does not sound like much and prefab is disappointing, huge step back from modern games.

Is what it is I guess. Won't judge too harshly till I play. Dropped items persisting is cool though.