Chernarus contains PvE, contestable PvP and military PvP territories.
Where a central flag is present, it shows which rules currently apply. The territory map shows the boundaries.
Some areas are permanent. Others can change when players establish enough legitimate presence inside them.
This page documents the current Chernarus rules.
QUICK ANSWERS
How do I know whether I am in PvE or PvP?
A Chernarus flag marks PvE. A Pirate flag marks PvP. Use the Chernarus territory map to check the boundary.
Can this territory change?
Only contestable PvP territories can convert to PvE through settlement. Ordinary PvE and military PvP territories do not convert through the residency system. The map identifies the territory boundaries and types.
What counts toward territory control?
A Chernarus base qualifies when its maintained flagpole is inside the territory boundary, carries an attached non-white flag, and has one completed gate plus at least eight additional completed fence wall sections and/or first-level watchtower bases within 75 metres. The gate does not count as one of the eight additional structures. Chernarus does not require a prefab cabin merely to make a base valid.
Flagpoles 75 metres apart or closer are grouped and are not intended to count as independent bases.
How many bases or residents are required?
Conversion requires at least two qualifying PvE bases. PvE influence must also hold a strict local majority over PvP influence. Each qualifying base contributes influence, and completed prefab cabins add weight to that base’s side. An equal balance is not enough.
There is no minimum number of online players. The qualifying bases and flags must remain valid when territory updates run.
How long does a territory change take?
Chernarus advances one conversion step every 12 hours of server-running time. From an untouched state with no saved partial timer, reaching the first PvE state nominally takes 108 server-running hours, or 4.5 days. Full conversion nominally takes 192 server-running hours, or 8 days.
Server downtime does not add progress. A saved partial step timer can make the first visible step happen sooner.
Can the existing side fight back?
Yes. Qualifying PvP bases and their completed prefab cabins add opposing influence. If the PvE side drops below two qualifying bases or loses its strict majority, progress reverses toward the territory’s natural PvP state on the same step schedule.
TERRITORY TYPES
PvE
Player-versus-player killing is restricted according to the Server Rules. Ordinary PvE territories do not convert to PvP through player settlement.
CONTESTABLE PvP
Player conflict is permitted. Maintained qualifying PvE settlement can convert these territories to PvE, and lost influence can allow them to revert to PvP.
MILITARY PvP
Military PvP territories are permanent and are skipped by the territory conversion system.
The Server Rules remain the authority for detailed combat and conduct rules.
CHANGING A TERRITORY
Territory control comes from maintained infrastructure, not from standing inside a capture circle or winning a single fight.
- Players establish qualifying PvE bases inside the same contestable PvP territory.
- The territory reaches at least two qualifying PvE bases and PvE influence holds a strict local majority.
- The central territory flag begins to descend in scheduled steps.
- Opposing bases can change the local balance. If the PvE requirements are lost, progress reverses toward the natural PvP state.
- At the neutral midpoint the territory is still PvP. The next completed step changes it to PvE.
- Continued qualifying influence raises the flag in its new colours until full conversion.
PLAYER-BASE FLAGS
Pirate and Cannibal flags count as PvP influence. White flags are anonymous and contribute no influence. Every other valid flag currently counts as PvE influence. The territory result is collective; it is not locked to a clan owner.
THE TERRITORY POLE
The central pole shows the territory’s current state and conversion progress. Its flag lowers toward the neutral midpoint, then rises again in its new colours after conversion. A neutral flag position still means the territory is PvP.
Where shared resident infrastructure is enabled, an established territory pole may also provide:
- a small resident or public supply box;
- paper and pens for messages;
- basic drinks and sodas;
- a PA speaker connected to Last Resort’s broadcast infrastructure.
No player needs to stand at the central pole for conversion to continue. The system evaluates maintained qualifying bases and their flags during scheduled updates.