This guide covers how to set up your Nuclear Option dedicated server on Legion Hosting, configure startup variables, edit the DedicatedServerConfig.json, set up mission rotation, and connect to your server. Nuclear Option is a near-future air combat game with immersive physics featuring tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. For admin commands, ban management, and troubleshooting, see Nuclear Option Admin Commands.
1. First Start
- Log in to GPanel and select your Nuclear Option server.
- Go to the Startup tab and review the configurable variables (see Section 2).
- Set your SERVER_NAME and SERVER_PASSWORD.
- Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Wait for the console to display
[DedicatedServerManager] Waiting for Players before loading next mapto confirm the server is ready.
ChangeMe. Update the SERVER_PASSWORD startup variable or edit DedicatedServerConfig.json before making the server public.
2. GPanel Startup Variables
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
SERVER_NAME | Pterodactyl-server | Server name shown in the server browser (max 30 characters). |
MAX_PLAYERS | 20 | Maximum number of players. |
SERVER_PASSWORD | ChangeMe | Password required to join the server. Leave empty for no password. |
MODDED_SERVER | false | Mark as a modded server. Set to true or false. |
QUERY_PORT | 7777 | Steam query port for the server browser. |
AUTO_UPDATE | 1 | Automatically update the server on startup. |
3. Server Configuration (DedicatedServerConfig.json)
The main configuration file is located at:
DedicatedServerConfig.jsonThis JSON file is automatically managed by GPanel for settings mapped to startup variables (ServerName, Password, MaxPlayers, ModdedServer, Port, QueryPort). You can also edit it directly for advanced settings.
ServerName, Password, MaxPlayers, and ports are overwritten from startup variables on each start. Edit non-mapped settings (like MissionRotation) directly in the file.
Full Configuration Reference
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
ServerName | Pterodactyl-server | Server display name (managed by startup variable). |
Password | ChangeMe | Join password (managed by startup variable). |
MaxPlayers | 20 | Max player count (managed by startup variable). |
ModdedServer | false | Modded server flag (managed by startup variable). |
Port | (auto) | Game port. Object with IsOverride and Value fields. |
QueryPort | (auto) | Query port. Object with IsOverride and Value fields. |
BanListPaths | ["ban_list.txt"] | Paths to ban list files. |
MissionDirectory | (auto) | Path to custom mission files. |
MissionRotation | (see below) | Array of missions in the rotation. |
RotationType | 0 | Mission rotation type. |
NoPlayerStopTime | 30 | Seconds to wait before stopping when no players are connected. |
4. Mission Rotation
Configure the mission rotation in DedicatedServerConfig.json. Each entry specifies a mission and time limit:
"MissionRotation": [
{
"Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Escalation" },
"MaxTime": 7200
},
{
"Key": { "Group": "BuiltIn", "Name": "Terminal Control" },
"MaxTime": 7200
}
]Built-in missions include Escalation and Terminal Control. MaxTime is the time limit in seconds (7200 = 2 hours).
Custom Missions
Place custom mission files in the NuclearOption-Missions/ directory. Reference them in the rotation with the appropriate group and name.
5. How to Connect
- Launch Nuclear Option on Steam.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- Find your server by name in the server browser.
- Enter the server password if prompted.
- Select your server and click Join.
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Need Help?
If you run into issues with your Nuclear Option server that are not covered here, open a support ticket and include your server IP, a description of the problem, and any relevant error messages from the GPanel console.
