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Guides / Squad / Layers and rotation

Squad map rotation or layer rotation: which to use

Layer modes play the exact layers you list. Map modes play your map list and let the game pick each layer. Here is how to choose and set each.

Updated , checked on Squad 10.6.1

Squad words matter here. A map (also called a level) is the place, such as Al Basrah. A layer is one map in one game mode, such as AlBasrah_AAS_v1. A layer rotation lists layers, so you decide the mode of every match. A map rotation lists maps, and the game picks the layer.

The four modes

On the Layers page, under How the next layer is chosen:

ModePlaysList it reads
In orderLayers in the order you wrote themRotation
ShuffledLayers from the Rotation list, random orderRotation
Maps in orderMaps in the order you wrote them, game picks each layerMap rotation
Maps shuffledMaps from the Map rotation list, random orderMap rotation

There is a fifth, Players vote, which reads the vote pool. See layer voting.

Which to use

  • Pick a layer mode when you care about the game mode. For example, a server that only plays RAAS.
  • Pick a map mode when you only care about the places and are happy to let the game choose the layer.

In the ArthOS panel

  1. Open Layers and choose a map mode under How the next layer is chosen (1). A new server starts on Players vote. A message says “Saved. It takes effect when the server restarts.”
  2. Choose Map rotation in the list on the left. It shows LevelRotation.cfg.
  3. Add maps from Maps on this server, or type a map in Add by ID, for example AlBasrah. Use the arrows to reorder and press Save.
  4. Restart the server.
The five mode buttons under How the next layer is chosen
  1. The five mode buttons

Map names in this list differ from layer IDs: they have no mode or version. Use the browser’s Add button where you can. The panel marks layer rows the server does not offer, but it does not do so for the map list.

By hand

In Server.cfg set MapRotationMode to one of these:

MapRotationMode=LayerList
MapRotationMode=LayerList_Randomized
MapRotationMode=LevelList
MapRotationMode=LevelList_Randomized

The layer modes read LayerRotation.cfg. The map modes read LevelRotation.cfg. Restart afterwards.

If it does not work

  • The wrong list is in use. Look for the In use label. It follows the mode.
  • A map never shows up. It may be in ExcludedLevels.cfg, which hides maps from every rotation. See hidden layers and factions.
  • The mode did not change. It applies at restart.

More about the game: Squad servers.

Sources: squad.fandom.com: Server Configuration, store.steampowered.com: 393380

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