Sons of the Forest resource needs depend on your world and the way your group plays. Player count is only one part of the workload; active sessions and settings also matter. Start with the recommended range, then check usage while your group is playing.
Current MaximusHost range
When creating a Sons of the Forest server, choose 8–16 GB RAM and 2–8 vCPU. MaximusHost recommends 8–16 GB RAM and 4–6 vCPU as a starting point. The create form shows the estimate for your account.
Start with a resource choice that matches your group’s plans and budget. If you expect sustained cooperative sessions, do not automatically choose the smallest CPU value just because RAM is already within the recommended range. Conversely, maximum allocation does not fix a bad setting, inaccessible world, or incorrect connection information.
RAM and CPU answer different questions
RAM supports the running server and the state it needs to keep available. CPU processes active game work. If RAM use repeatedly approaches its allocation or the server logs resource-related problems, more memory may be worth testing. If CPU pressure repeats during active sessions, adding RAM by itself is unlikely to help. If neither resource appears constrained, investigate server settings, world selection, and client connection details before changing the allocation.
Use Resources and Console and Logs in your server manager while the same world is under normal group activity. Compare several sessions and note whether an issue happens during startup, when players connect, or during play.
Record the active save, resource allocation, and what the group was doing when the symptom appeared. Compare that information with another session in the same world. This makes it easier to spot whether a slowdown follows a particular activity or whether resource pressure continues across different sessions.
Build a useful baseline
Before changing anything, record the current allocation, active world, and relevant settings. Have the group play a representative session, then note resource readings and the specific symptom. For example, “slow after several players join” is more useful than “server feels bad.” Check whether the symptom coincided with a world switch or property change.
Compare your readings with a similar session. An empty server may use fewer resources than a session with the full group, so size for the way you actually play.
Check the server during the activity that brings your group together, not only during setup. Record whether the issue happens for everyone and when it appears; a symptom tied to one player or one save may have a different cause from repeated resource pressure.
Change one factor at a time
When repeated evidence points to resources, test one change:
- Keep the same world and settings.
- Change one resource in Resources.
- Start the server and repeat the same type of session.
- Compare resource use and the original symptom.
- Keep the change only if the evidence supports it.
If a resource change makes no meaningful difference, return to the previous allocation and investigate other causes. Avoid changing resource limits, settings, and world selection together because the result will not show which action mattered.
Protect the cooperative world
Create an owner backup before a major settings or world change. In Worlds, you can create a world, select a save slot and mode, or upload a zipped save. Stop the server before changing worlds, then start it and confirm the intended save is active before inviting everyone back.
Keep the previous save available while you test. If players cannot find their progress, check whether a different world or save slot is active before changing resource settings.
Budget the dedicated IP correctly
Sons of the Forest requires a dedicated IP for its game connections. This is a networking requirement, not a performance upgrade. Check the live estimate and Billing and Credits for how your assigned IP and stopped server are charged.
Review Sons of the Forest hosting for current resource choices. Use your server readings to decide whether a resource change is needed.
