Arma Reforger: Complete Setup Guide
Everything you need to know to set up and configure your Arma Reforger server with Loafhosts.
- • Basic server configuration and startup parameters
- • Installing and managing Workshop mods
- • Setting up admin accounts and permissions
- • Performance optimization techniques
- • Troubleshooting common server issues
Getting Started
Once your Arma Reforger server is deployed with Loafhosts, you'll need to configure it for your community's needs. This guide will walk you through the essential setup steps.
Accessing Your Server
- Log into your game panel
- Select your Arma Reforger server from the server list
- Navigate to the "Console" tab to see server status
- Use the "Files" tab to access configuration files
Basic Server Configuration
The main configuration is handled through the startup parameters in your control panel. Here are the essential settings you should configure:
Server Identity
- • Server Name: Your server's display name in the browser
- • Server Description: Brief description visible to players
- • Password: Server password (leave empty for public servers)
- • Admin Password: Required for admin commands (use a strong password)
Game Settings
- • Scenario ID: Which scenario/map to run (default campaign recommended)
- • Max Players: Maximum player count (64-128 recommended)
- • Visible in Browser: Make server discoverable (set to true)
- • Auto Joinable: Allow automatic joining (set to true for public servers)
Performance Optimization
To ensure smooth gameplay for your players, configure these performance settings:
View Distance Settings
- Server Max View Distance: 1600m (default) - reduce to 1200m for better performance
- Network View Distance: 500m (default) - reduce to 300m if experiencing lag
- Server Min Grass Distance: 50m (affects visual quality vs performance)
AI and Resource Limits
- AI Limit: Set to 50-100 for better performance (default is unlimited)
- Max FPS: 60-120 depending on your server specifications
- Log FPS Interval: 600 seconds (for performance monitoring)
Installing Mods
Arma Reforger supports Workshop mods. Here's how to install them:
Using Workshop IDs
- Find the mod on Steam Workshop and note its ID (the number in the URL)
- In your server's startup parameters, add the Workshop ID to the mods list
- Save the configuration and restart your server
- The server will automatically download and load the mods
Always test mods on a private server before adding them to your public server. Some mods may conflict with each other or cause performance issues.
Setting Up Admin Accounts
Admin accounts allow you to manage your server in-game:
Adding Admins
- Get the Steam ID of the player you want to make admin
- Add their Steam ID to the admin list in your server configuration
- Set appropriate permission levels
- Save and restart the server
Common Admin Commands
#login [admin_password]- Authenticate as admin#kick [player]- Kick a player from the server#ban [player]- Ban a player from the server#restart [time]- Schedule a server restart#teleport [player] [location]- Teleport players
Security Settings
BattlEye Anti-Cheat
Configure BattlEye based on your server type:
- Public Servers: Enable BattlEye for cheat protection
- Private/Modded Servers: Consider disabling if mods cause conflicts
- Testing Servers: Disable for easier debugging
Other Security Options
- Disable Third Person: Force first-person view for more realistic gameplay
- Fast Validation: Speed up player connection process
- Join Queue Max Size: Limit connection queue (default: 50)
Save Game Configuration
Configure how your server handles save games:
- Auto Save Loading: Automatically load the last saved game state on server start
- Save File Name: Custom name for save files (optional)
- Backup Saves: Regular backups prevent data loss
Testing Your Configuration
After configuring your server:
- Save all configuration changes
- Restart the server and monitor the console for errors
- Test connectivity by connecting from the game client
- Verify that mods load correctly
- Test admin commands and permissions
- Check server performance with multiple players
A properly configured server should start without errors, appear in the server browser, allow players to connect smoothly, and maintain good performance during gameplay.
Common Configuration Issues
Server Won't Start
- Check console logs for specific error messages
- Verify scenario ID is correct
- Ensure all required mods are available
- Check for syntax errors in configuration
Players Can't Connect
- Verify server is visible in browser
- Check if password protection is intended
- Ensure mod versions match between server and clients
- Verify firewall and network settings
Performance Issues
- Reduce view distances and AI limits
- Remove unnecessary mods
- Monitor server resource usage
- Consider upgrading server resources
- • Always backup your server before making major configuration changes
- • Test changes on a development server first when possible
- • Keep your server and mods updated regularly
- • Monitor server performance and player feedback
- • Document your working configurations for future reference
Next Steps
Once your basic server is configured, you might want to:
- Install and manage mods
- Set up admin accounts
- Add leaderboards and statistics tracking
- Learn about troubleshooting common issues
Getting Help
If you need assistance with your Arma Reforger server setup:
- Discord: Join our Discord for community support and quick help
- Support Tickets: Submit detailed tickets through your control panel for technical issues
- Documentation: Check our other Arma Reforger guides for specific topics