Before you start
This setup uses the PC server. Stunlock publishes separate PC and PS5 instructions; console joining is outside this guide's scope.
Match game and server versions and choose PvE or PvP deliberately. If bringing an existing session, keep a complete original copy and check its save-format version before transfer. Stunlock's instructions distinguish hosting settings from gameplay settings.
Use a Windows 10 or 11 x64 PC. Keep it on, awake, and connected while friends play, with enough memory left for Windows and your own game.
New to Tavern? Apply for the alpha. If you already have a server, keep a separate backup before linking or importing it.
Set up with Tavern
Choose your coven's world
Choose V Rising and Install a new server. Set the server name, save/world name, player limit, and player password. The save name selects the session; changing it later can select a different one.
Choose a rule preset
Review the StandardPvE or StandardPvP choice, or the custom settings path. For a new world, agree on the rules with your group before creating it. Back up an existing castle before changing a preset.
Finish connection preparation
Use the LAN or direct route shown by Tavern and complete its checks before starting. Browser visibility is a separate choice from whether the connection is reachable.
Finish the review and choose Create server. When setup is complete, start it and follow any instructions Tavern shows. Join yourself, then ask a friend to try the connection your group will use.
Bring your friends
Direct Connect
In V Rising, choose Play > Online Play > Find Servers > Direct Connect and enter Tavern's address. Use the local address at home or a verified public address outside the network.
Gameplay and server discovery
V Rising uses two UDP ports, usually 27015 and 27016, for gameplay and server discovery. Follow the values in Tavern's checklist. Choose local or direct internet access for this setup.
Changing local ports
For custom ports, stop the selected server and open Networking > Ports. Edit its local ports, save, update any router or tunnel mappings, then start the server and use the updated address. Tavern keeps game-required adjacent ports together and checks for conflicts. These controls require a Tavern build with the Ports section.
Share the connection details from the right server in Tavern. For friends outside your home, test with someone on another network; joining from the host PC alone is not enough.
Make it your world
Hosting and gameplay files
Settings > Game Config exposes the game settings. ServerHostSettings.json handles hosting and ServerGameSettings.json handles gameplay. Tavern uses overrides in the selected server's data location rather than requiring edits to the packaged default files.
Presets and custom rules
Choose a preset or customize individual rules. Tavern clears the preset choices when you apply custom gameplay settings. Review the final rules and follow restart instructions before inviting your group back.
Protect your progress
Preserve the full session folder, including saves and settings, before migration. Stunlock's documentation explains that persistence-version folders can change when the save format changes. Do not assume a single autosave file or a different server branch is a complete compatible backup.
In Backups, choose Create backup for this server. Wait for Activity to report completion and check that the backup appears in the list. Do this before updates, imports, or major changes.
Restoring replaces the current world data, so keep a copy of your latest progress first. Use Tavern's stop control and wait for shutdown before turning the PC off.
If something gets stuck
The expected castle does not appear
Check the selected save name, data location, and persistence version. Stop the server and keep the original session before reviewing an import; do not create a new session over it.
Custom rules did not apply
Review the preset and override files for the selected instance. Save through Game Config and follow the required restart, then verify the rules in-game.
Do I need to leave my game open?
The dedicated server runs separately from your game client. The host PC, server, and selected connection route need to remain available while friends play.
Sources & testing status
Checked against Tavern's app source and the publisher resources below. Game support is in beta; your installed alpha may differ. This review did not include a new gameplay, restore, or outside-network join test.
The game's documentation may include features Tavern does not yet offer. Use the options available in your version of the app.