I think that this is a very good topic and as an admin to a server we are in the process of creating it is a very interesting topic to discuss. I have played this mod a bit and in various servers to look at other server settings and decide what I would put in my server to make it not to easy mode and also not too difficult either.
As I read though the comments I see that most of the server settings are not with the true nature of the game. Which is you have been exiled here on this island / map u are playing on. The current government is a bunch of thugs and basically you need to buy things off them or pay them "tribute or protection money" to purchase your territory to claim your base. Not to be given 10k in poptabs and a kit to build your shit. Moreover, if you are with the true nature of the game you have to earn your right to purchase a base flag by killing others etc... which is the respect system but it appears that can be easily reachable in most servers after a day or so of just selling shit to get to your 5k mark.
Either raise your limits on base building, decrease the respect for selling shit, increase the respect for killing players. Have Ai death squads roaming about just to become an irritant. Make it more challenging. Get rid of all the thermal sights, make the NV sights like an epic rare spawn. This is the balance I am trying to achieve.
Yes, I am waiting for a medical system that works. Yes, i am waiting for bases that actually can be raided. (I think its like 14 C4 now to blow up a door?) But not make the bases a flimsy paper thin wall that you can kill in 2 charges either. Yes I like the upgradeable walls but can u upgrade it beyond tier 2?
Make some server events based off the respect system. Example: Scuba Steve has not paid his protection money, Send an Ai death squad to blow the crap out of his base. Make all the safes unlock, Delete his flag. Delete all respect for the property owners or people that have rights to that property. Which forces that player to build again. etc...
Just my thoughts.
Z