---
title: Configuring Out-of-Battle Status Effects in Pixelmon
description: Not every status effect ends when a battle does. This guide explains how the settings in outside_effects.yml control poison, environmental damage, and other effects that continue while players explore the world outside of Pokémon battles.
source: "https://nodecraft.com/support/games/minecraft/mods/pixelmon/configuring-out-of-battle-status-effects-in-pixelmon"
image: "https://dynamic-assets.nodecraft.com/signedurl/w7vokBAexMnVlnMZ1Q/image.jpg?modifications=W3sibmFtZSI6ImdhbWVfYmciLCJpbWFnZV91cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Ntcy1hLm5vZGVjcmFmdC5jb20vZi8xMzM5MzIvMjAwMHg1NTAvZGNiMGFkNjkzOC9jYXZlcy1hbmQtY2xpZmZzLXB0LTItMS0yLTAucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiZ2FtZV9sb2dvIiwiaW1hZ2VfdXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9jbXMtYS5ub2RlY3JhZnQuY29tL2YvMTMzOTMyLzM3NXgxNTAvM2MxZGIyYmFiNS9taW5lY3JhZnQucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiY3RhX3RleHQiLCJ0ZXh0IjoiQ3JlYXRlIHlvdXIgb3duIHNlcnZlciEifSx7Im5hbWUiOiJ0ZXh0IiwidGV4dCI6IkNvbmZpZ3VyaW5nIE91dC1vZi1CYXR0bGUgU3RhdHVzIEVmZmVjdHMgaW4gUGl4ZWxtb24ifV0&s=20876009651d3cc9ef0d31ed3a24fbcc49e8030985ec598229388f1f01832399"
published: "2026-08-16T23:26:02.439Z"
updated: "2026-08-16T23:26:02.439Z"
---

# Configuring Out-of-Battle Status Effects in Pixelmon

Not every status effect ends when a battle does. This guide explains how the settings in outside_effects.yml control poison, environmental damage, and other effects that continue while players explore the world outside of Pokémon battles.

The Out-of-Battle Status Effect section contains the options Pixelmon uses for this part of the server. Configure poison, environmental damage, and other status behavior outside Pokémon battles.

## Pixelmon Out-of-Battle Status Effect Settings

The settings below are listed in the same order as they appear in outside\_effects.yml. The table preserves each default and identifies the accepted value type. The Setting column shows a reader-friendly name first, followed by the matching outside\_effects.yml key for reference.

| Setting and Config Key | Default and Accepted Values | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Use Outside Effects** use-outside-effects | **Default:** true **Values:** true or false | Whether or not outside effects is enabled or disabled. |
| **Steps To Apply Effects** steps-to-apply-effects | **Default:** 15 **Values:** whole number | Amount of steps for effects such as Poison to be applied. |
| **Poison Max Damage** poison-max-damage | **Default:** 5 **Values:** whole number | The maximum amount of damage Poison can do outside of battle to a poisoned Pokémon. |

## Important Out-of-Battle Status Effect Setting Notes

### Defaults and Value Types

Boolean toggles, numeric rates, timers, lists, and mappings use different value formats. Preserve the value type shown in the table and keep collection syntax intact when changing outside\_effects.yml.

### Settings That Work Together

Several out-of-battle status effect options can affect the same outcome. Review related rates, limits, timers, and lists together before deciding that one value is responsible for a result.

### Testing Changes

- Change one related group of settings at a time so its effect is easy to measure.
- Test the result under the conditions affected by the setting, including relevant dimensions, player states, or encounter types.
- Keep a copy of the previous values so unexpected balance or performance changes can be reversed quickly.

## Final Thoughts

Out-of-Battle Status Effect settings are easier to balance when changes are deliberate and documented. Start with the defaults, adjust only what the server needs, and verify the result before moving on to the next group.