How to set building decay on your Conan Exiles server

This article will cover the steps needed to configure building decay on your Conan Exiles server. Decay automatically removes structures whose owners haven't refreshed them in a set time — preventing the world from clogging with abandoned bases.

Step 1: Log into the Game Control Panel and navigate to your Conan Exiles service.
Step 2: Stop your server.
Step 3: Click on Configuration Files, open ServerSettings.ini in the Text Editor.
Step 4: Under [ServerSettings], set:

EnableSandStorm=True
StructureDecayMultiplier=1.0
DecayTimeMultiplier=1.0
NPCMaxSpawnCapMultiplier=1.0
DisableThrallDeath=False
LogoutCharactersRemainInTheWorld=True
RestingHealthRateMultiplier=1.0
EnableEnemyHealthBars=True

And under [ServerSettings] for decay-specific:

EnableStructureDecay=True
StructureDecayLifetime_T1=259200
StructureDecayLifetime_T2=864000
StructureDecayLifetime_T3=1728000
StructureDecayMaxFoundationsPerHour=200

Decay lifetime values (in seconds):

How decay works:

• Each placed building piece has a decay timer.
• The timer resets whenever a clan member (or anyone with build permissions) comes within proximity of the piece (typically by walking near it).
• When the timer expires, the building piece transitions to a "decayed" state and can be demolished by any player.
• After an additional timeout, the engine auto-removes decayed structures.

Common settings adjustments:

Casual / private server (longer decay):

StructureDecayLifetime_T1=1209600   ; 14 days
StructureDecayLifetime_T2=2419200   ; 28 days
StructureDecayLifetime_T3=4838400   ; 56 days

Hardcore PvP (shorter, encourages defense):

StructureDecayLifetime_T1=86400     ; 1 day
StructureDecayLifetime_T2=259200    ; 3 days
StructureDecayLifetime_T3=604800    ; 7 days

Disabled (private worlds):

EnableStructureDecay=False

Step 5: Click Save and start the service.

Refresh mechanics:

A clan member walking near a building refreshes its timer. Clan members who haven't logged in for the full decay duration risk losing their base. Communicate the schedule:

• Sandstone bases: log in every 3 days (default)
• Stone bases: log in every 10 days
• Hardened/Reinforced bases: log in every 20 days

Disable decay for VIPs (workaround):

Vanilla Conan doesn't support per-player decay. To preserve specific players' bases, either:

• Increase global decay timers
• Have a server admin walk past their base periodically to refresh
• Use Pippi or other admin mod that adds protected zones

Tip — community communication:

The most common server-shutdown driver for casual Conan servers is players losing bases to decay while away. Pin the decay rules + reminders in your Discord, and consider a Discord bot that pings players approaching decay deadlines.