Arma Reforger server hosting means renting a machine that runs Bohemia Interactive’s military sim around the clock so your group can play Conflict, Game Master, or modded scenarios without anyone keeping a PC online. A hosted server gives you a permanent IP, a real config.json you fully control, and proper Workshop mod support that the in-game host-a-server option cannot match. This pillar guide walks through choosing a plan, deploying on the LPV5 panel, configuring the server, loading mods, and going live. By the end you will know exactly what a good Reforger host should provide and how to get your community connected.
Why Run a Dedicated Arma Reforger Server
Arma Reforger ships with a built-in option to host a session from inside the game, but it ties the server to your machine, your upload bandwidth, and your session. The moment you close the game, everyone is disconnected. A dedicated hosted server runs the Enfusion engine as a standalone process on hardware built for it, so the world stays up whether or not you are playing. It also unlocks a writable config.json, scenario rotation, and Workshop mod loading at scale.
Tip: A dedicated server keeps Conflict progress and Game Master sessions alive 24/7
Tip: Players connect to one fixed IP and port instead of a host who comes and goes
Tip: You get full config.json control, which the in-game host menu does not expose
Tip: Hosted hardware handles AI, vehicles, and large player counts far better than a home PC running both game and server
Note: Arma Reforger is cross-platform between PC and Xbox; a dedicated server can serve both as long as crossplay is enabled in config
Loafbox vs Shared: Which Plan to Pick
Loafhosts offers two plan families: Shared starts at $20/mo and Loafbox at $30/mo. Loafbox gives you dedicated CPU threads, which matters for Arma Reforger because the simulation is heavy on AI and physics and benefits from guaranteed compute. Shared gives you unlimited CPU allocation across a node, which is excellent value for smaller groups and lighter scenarios. Loafbox tiers run from $30 up to $150 depending on how many threads and how much headroom you want.
Tip: Pick Loafbox if you run large Conflict matches, heavy AI counts, or many mods at once
Tip: Pick Shared if you run a smaller squad server or a modest modlist and want maximum value
Tip: Both families use AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPUs, DDR5 memory, and NVMe storage
Tip: Both families offer unlimited player slots, so plan choice is about performance, not a seat cap
Note: Loafbox includes Terabit.io L4/L7 DDoS protection at no extra cost
Note: Shared includes basic DDoS protection only; Terabit.io is not included on Shared
Picking a Server Region
Latency shapes the Arma Reforger experience more than almost anything else, so host close to the bulk of your players. Loafbox is available in Montreal, Canada and Frankfurt, Germany. Shared is available in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt, which covers US East, Central, West, and EU. The Frankfurt location adds $8/mo on Loafbox and $15/mo on Shared.
- List where your core players actually live, not where you live
- For a US East or Canadian community, choose New York on Shared or Montreal on Loafbox; for European communities, pick Frankfurt on either tier
- For a Central US community, choose Dallas on Shared
- For a US West or Pacific community, choose Los Angeles on Shared
- If your group is split, favor the region with the most players and the lowest average ping
Tip: A 30ms difference in ping is noticeable in firefights; pick the closer region even if a plan tier differs slightly
Deploying Your Server on LPV5
Loafhosts runs the LPV5 panel inside LoafHub at hub.loafhosts.com. After checkout your Arma Reforger server deploys in about 60 seconds with no setup fees, so you can move straight to configuration.
- Choose Loafbox or Shared, pick your region, and complete checkout at loafhosts.com
- Open LoafHub at hub.loafhosts.com and log in
- Select your new Arma Reforger server to open the LPV5 panel
- Wait for the 60-second deploy to finish and the server to show a ready state
- Open the Console tab so you can watch the first boot
- Press Start and confirm the server reaches a running state
Tip: There are no setup fees, so the price you saw at checkout is the price you pay
Tip: Bookmark hub.loafhosts.com for quick access to the panel
Configuring config.json Essentials
Arma Reforger reads its settings from a config.json file. For a first launch you only need a handful of fields: a server name, a scenario to load, a player cap, and an admin password. The panel includes a config editor so you do not have to hand-edit raw JSON, but it is worth knowing the keys.
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
game.name | The server name shown in the in-game browser | "name": "[NA] Loaf Conflict" |
game.scenarioId | The scenario the server loads on boot | "scenarioId": "{ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf" |
game.maxPlayers | Maximum concurrent players | "maxPlayers": 64 |
game.gameProperties.serverMaxViewDistance | View distance cap in meters; lower it to reduce server load | 2500 |
game.passwordAdmin | Admin password used with the #login console command | "passwordAdmin": "changeme" |
Tip: Set a strong passwordAdmin before you ever start the server publicly
Tip: Leave game.password empty for a public server, or set it for a private one
Warning: config.json must be valid JSON; one missing comma or quote stops the server from starting
Adding Workshop Mods
Arma Reforger mods come from the official Workshop and are referenced by a 16-character mod ID. On a hosted server you list those IDs in the mods array of config.json, or use the LPV5 Mod Manager to browse and add them without touching JSON. The server downloads each mod and its dependencies automatically on the next start.
- Open the LPV5 Mod Manager from the Arma Reforger section of the panel
- Search for a mod, or paste a known mod ID for hidden and unlisted mods
- Add the mod to your preset
- Save the preset so it writes the entries into the mods array
- Restart the server and watch the console download the mods and dependencies
Tip: You do not need to add dependencies by hand; the server resolves them automatically
Tip: Keep version fields empty so mods auto-update with the Workshop
Note: Every connecting player downloads the same modlist automatically, so a heavy modlist means a longer first join
Going Live and Inviting Players
Once the server boots cleanly with your scenario and mods, it appears in the in-game server browser under the name you set. Share the direct IP and port so players can use Direct Connect even if browser filters hide your server.
- Confirm the console shows the scenario loaded and the server ready
- Copy the server IP and game port from the panel
- Search for your server name in the in-game browser, or use Direct Connect with the IP and port
- Have one player join and confirm mods download and the scenario loads
- Share the IP, port, and any server password with your community
Tip: Direct Connect is the most reliable way in when modded servers are filtered out of the browser
Tip: If you change mods, every player redownloads on their next join, so announce big modlist changes
Keeping the Server Healthy
A Reforger server runs best with light routine maintenance: scheduled restarts to clear memory, backups before you change mods or scenarios, and an eye on the console for warnings. The LPV5 panel includes scheduling and backup tools so this can be hands-off.
Tip: Schedule a daily restart during a quiet hour to keep memory and AI clean
Tip: Take a backup before adding mods, swapping scenarios, or editing config.json
Tip: Watch the console after every restart for mod or scenario errors
Note: Loafhosts offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on game servers if the host is not the right fit
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Arma Reforger server hosting cost?
At Loafhosts, Shared starts at $20/mo and Loafbox at $30/mo. Loafbox tiers, which give you dedicated CPU threads, run from $30 up to $150 depending on how much performance and headroom you need. Shared starts at $20/mo with unlimited CPU allocation. There are no setup fees.
How many players can an Arma Reforger server hold?
Loafhosts plans come with unlimited player slots, so the practical limit is set by your maxPlayers value in config.json and the hardware tier you choose. Larger Conflict matches with heavy AI run best on a Loafbox plan with dedicated threads.
Do I need a powerful server for Arma Reforger?
Reforger leans on single-thread CPU performance for AI and physics. Loafhosts uses AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPUs with DDR5 and NVMe across both plan families, so even the entry tier performs well. Pick Loafbox for large or heavily modded servers.
Can I host Arma Reforger for PC and Xbox players together?
Yes. Arma Reforger supports crossplay between PC and Xbox, and a dedicated server can serve both as long as crossplay is enabled in your config.json. Some mods are PC-only, so a modded server may effectively be PC-only depending on your modlist.
How long does it take to set up a Reforger server?
On Loafhosts the server deploys in about 60 seconds after checkout with no setup fees. Adding a scenario and a small modlist takes a few more minutes, so most people are online within roughly ten minutes.
Is DDoS protection included with Arma Reforger hosting?
Loafbox plans include Terabit.io L4 and L7 DDoS protection at no extra cost. Shared plans include basic DDoS protection only; Terabit.io is not included on Shared. If your server is a public target, Loafbox is the safer choice.
Where are Loafhosts Arma Reforger servers located?
Shared servers are available in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt. Loafbox is available in Montreal, Canada and Frankfurt, Germany. The Frankfurt location adds $8/mo on Loafbox and $15/mo on Shared. Choose the region closest to most of your players to keep latency low.
Can I get a refund if Reforger hosting is not for me?
Yes. Loafhosts offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on game servers, so you can try Arma Reforger hosting and request a refund within that 72-hour window if it is not the right fit.