Lords of the Fallen: Fixing UE5 Performance via Config File

The primary goal for Lords of the Fallen optimization is eliminating traversal stutters. These occur when the game loads new assets or compiles shaders in real-time as you move between zones. By adjusting the hidden Unreal Engine variables, we can implement a “Smooth Frame-Time” profile that prioritizes background asset loading and reduces the GPU hit from Virtual Shadow Maps (VSM).

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• UE5 Virtual Shadows: These are the #1 performance killer. Lowering shadow quality in the config is mandatory for mid-range cards.
• VRAM Bottleneck: On GPUs with 8GB VRAM or less, texture streaming must be limited to prevent “out of memory” crashes when swapping between Axiom and Umbral.
• DirectX 12: This game is built for DX12. Ensure you are not forcing DX11, as it will break the Lumen lighting system.

File Location

The configuration files are located in your local AppData folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%\LOTF2\Saved\Config\Windows\Engine.ini (For Game Pass/Xbox App users, the folder may be WinGDK instead of Windows).

Best Engine.ini Settings for Stutter Fix

Add these lines to the bottom of your Engine.ini to optimize the shader and streaming pipeline:

[SystemSettings]
r.CreateShadersOnLoad=1
r.Shaders.Optimize=1
r.Shaders.FastMath=1
r.Streaming.PoolSize=4096   // Set to 50% of your VRAM (e.g., 4096 for 8GB)
r.Streaming.LimitPoolSizeToVRAMAmount=1
r.Streaming.DefragDynamicBounds=1
r.Streaming.FramesForFullUpdate=1
r.XGEShaderCompile=1
r.Shadow.Virtual.MaxPhysicalPages=2048
r.Shadow.Virtual.SMRT.SamplesPerRay=1

Pro Tip: Setting r.CreateShadersOnLoad=1 will make the initial game launch slightly longer, but it prevents the “hitching” that happens when you cast a spell or enter a new area for the first time.

GameUserSettings.ini: Resolution & LOD Fixes

To eliminate the “LOD Pop-in” (objects appearing suddenly), modify these values in your GameUserSettings.ini:

[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.ResolutionQuality=100.000000
sg.ViewDistanceQuality=3   // Use 3 for High or 4 for "Cinematic" to stop pop-ins
sg.ShadowQuality=1         // 1 is Low; essential for stable FPS in Umbral
sg.GlobalIlluminationQuality=1
sg.ReflectionQuality=1
sg.FoliageQuality=2
sg.ShadingQuality=2

Key Technical Explanations

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
Global Illumination	1 (Medium)	Controls Lumen. Setting it to 0 (Low) turns Lumen off, which saves 20+ FPS but makes the game look very flat.
Shadow Quality	1 (Low)	UE5’s Virtual Shadows are extremely taxing. “Low” still looks decent but drastically improves 1% lows.
-NOTEXTURESTREAMING	Steam Option	If you have 12GB+ VRAM, add this to Launch Options to keep all textures in memory and kill blur.
Virtual Max Pages	2048	Reduces the memory footprint of shadows, preventing VRAM spikes.

Essential Launch Options

Right-click Lords of the Fallen in Steam > Properties > General:

-nothreadtimeout -xgeshadercompile -NoVerifyGC

• -xgeshadercompile: Speeds up the background shader compilation.
• -NoVerifyGC: Disables frequent Garbage Collection checks which can cause micro-stutters.

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• White Flashes: If you see white flashes in dark areas, set r.Lumen.DiffuseIndirect.AsyncCompute=0 in your Engine.ini.
• Umbral Performance Drop: The Umbral realm renders a second set of geometry. If FPS drops too much here, lower View Distance Quality to 1 or 2.
• Save Game Stutter: The game autosaves every 30 seconds. If you feel a “hitch” during saves, ensure your game is installed on an NVMe SSD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your Engine.ini, you are addressing the core weaknesses of a first-generation Unreal Engine 5 title. You can expect a significant reduction in micro-stutters, more stable frame pacing during combat, and the elimination of most LOD pop-in issues.