Arma Reforger Server Hosting

Why Units Run Their Own Arma Reforger Server

Public servers are a fine way to learn Arma Reforger, but sooner or later a group wants its own rules: its own mod set, its own scenario, its own admins and a server that is there for training on a Tuesday and an operation on a Saturday. A dedicated server is how that happens. It runs Bohemia's server program around the clock, so nobody's PC has to host and the session does not end when one player leaves.

Bohemia publishes the dedicated server for Windows and Linux on Steam and documents it on its wiki. Running it at home means a machine left on, ports forwarded and IPv4 only, as the server does not support IPv6. A rented server takes care of that and adds tools for mods, scenarios and admins.

Crossplay Between PC, Xbox and PlayStation

Arma Reforger launched its 1.0 release with crossplay between PC and Xbox, and PlayStation 5 joined on 12 December 2024. On a dedicated server, crossplay is a single switch in Server.json.

Bohemia recommends using crossPlatform and leaving the older supportedPlatforms list unset. Mods work on all platforms, but console players have less storage for them and slower mod downloads, so a modded crossplay server should keep its mod list lean and test it with someone on console before a big event.

Choosing a Scenario and Game Mode

Each server runs one scenario, chosen in Server.json. There is no built-in rotation, so switching missions means changing scenarioId and restarting. The official modes cover most needs.

• Conflict: the large-scale mode where factions fight over bases across the map. Update 1.6 added the HQ Commander version and 1.7 made FIA a third playable faction.
• Game Master: a player builds and runs the battle live, placing units and objectives as it unfolds. Perfect for unit operations.
• Combat Ops: co-operative missions against AI, playable alone or with a team.
• Capture & Hold: short, focused fights over objectives on smaller areas.

The official maps are Everon, Arland and Kolguyev, and the Workshop adds many more terrains and scenarios. Our scenario installer handles Workshop scenarios from their links; a few need the server to download them while it runs an official scenario before you can switch to them.

Server.json Settings That Matter

Arma Reforger's server reads one JSON config, Server.json on our servers, which our Config Editor shows as a form. These are the settings most communities touch.

Building a Mod List

Every mod on the server becomes a download for every player, so a Reforger mod list should earn each entry. The game uses the server's list for everyone; players cannot pick and choose.

1. Find mods on the Reforger Workshop in game or on the web and copy their links.
2. Stop the server, paste the links into the Reforger Workshop installer, one per line, and run it.
3. Start the server and allow time for large mods to download on the first boot.
4. Join and test, ideally with a console player if the server uses crossplay.
5. Add more mods in small batches so a problem is easy to trace.

Mods update each time the server restarts unless you pin a version, which keeps everyone current but means a broken mod update can stop the server. When that happens, pin the last good version in Server.json and clear the mods cache. The longer the mod list, the more there is to check after each game update.

Admins, RCON and Keeping Order

Admin access comes in two forms. Anyone with passwordAdmin can open chat and type #login to gain admin rights for the session. Players listed in the admins array, up to 20 of them, are recognised automatically and can log in without the password; listed by IdentityID, they also get priority in the join queue.

• #players and #id show who is connected and their IDs.
• #kick removes a player; #ban creates, removes and lists bans on dedicated servers.
• #restart and #shutdown control the session from in game.

For tools outside the game, the server's RCON interface accepts a password of at least three characters and up to 16 connections at once. In our panel, the Web Console connects with the BIS RCON password shown under Server Details.

Memory, Performance and Persistence

Bohemia does not publish a server memory requirement, so plan by what the server carries. Player count matters, but so do AI, vehicles, view distance and mods. Our plans bundle 10GB on 10 slots, 12GB on 20, 14GB on 40, 16GB on 60, 20GB on 100 and 24GB on 128. The aiLimit setting caps AI if a scenario spawns more than the server handles comfortably.

Update 1.6 introduced a persistence system for servers, with an autosave interval of up to 60 minutes (10 by default) and start-up options to load the latest saved session. Player state is also saved on an interval, 120 seconds by default. On top of that, our panel backups and offsite copies for the last 7 days give you restore points if an update or a mod goes wrong.

What to Compare Before You Rent an Arma Reforger Server

Reforger hosting offers look much the same until the first big mod update. These are the details that matter.

1. Workshop toolsLook for an installer that takes Workshop links, adds dependencies and lets you pin versions, rather than hand-editing the mods array.
2. Crossplay controlMake sure you can switch crossPlatform yourself if anyone in your group plays on Xbox or PlayStation.
3. Memory in the priceAI, vehicles and mods all use memory. Check what each plan really includes and what more costs.
4. Admin toolsA web console with RCON access and easy admin slots saves time every week.
5. Locations you can testRun a ping test. A nearby server makes firefights and vehicles feel far better.
6. Billing termsCompare monthly with longer cycles and look for setup fees or minimum terms.

Arma Reforger Server Glossary

Enfusion

Bohemia's engine behind Arma Reforger, whose tools will carry over to the next Arma.

Reforger Workshop

Bohemia's own mod platform for Arma Reforger, available in game and on the web.

Server.json

The server's config file, holding its name, passwords, scenario, mods and game settings.

scenarioId

The setting that tells the server which mission to run.

crossPlatform

The setting that lets PC, Xbox and PlayStation players join the same server.

IdentityID

A player's Bohemia identity, used for admin lists and the priority queue.

Conflict

The large-scale mode where factions fight for control of bases across a map.

Game Master

A mode in which one player builds and directs the battle live.

Workbench

Bohemia's free toolset for creating and publishing Reforger mods, on PC.

RCON

Remote console access for managing the server from outside the game.

Arma Reforger Server Help and Next Steps

Official resources and our own pages.

• Arma Reforger FAQPlatforms, mods and the road to the next Arma, from Bohemia.
• Basics of mod useHow players find and download mods.
• Arma Reforger on SteamPatch notes and announcements.
• Gaming Deluxe control panelWhat the panel does and how to log in.
• Our server locations
• Contact support24/7 help with mods, scenarios and admins.