This guide covers how to set up your Arma Reforger dedicated server on Legion Hosting, configure startup variables, edit the server config, select scenarios, connect to your server, and manage network settings. For admin setup, RCON access, and mod installation, see Arma Reforger Admin and Mod Installation.
config.json file. Familiarity with JSON formatting is helpful but not required -- this guide provides examples you can copy and modify.
1. First Start
- Log in to GPanel and select your Arma Reforger server.
- Go to the Startup tab and review the configurable variables (see the table in Section 2).
- Set SERVER_NAME to a name for your server.
- Set SERVER_PASSWORD if you want to restrict access. Leave it blank for a public server.
- Set MAX_PLAYERS to the desired player count for your server.
- Return to the Console tab and click Start.
- Wait for the console to display that the server has finished loading. The first start may take several minutes as the server downloads required game data and generates its initial configuration.
config.json, start the server once, let it finish loading, then stop it before editing. The configuration file will not exist until after the first run.
2. GPanel Startup Variables
The following variables are available in the GPanel Startup tab. These are passed to the server on each start.
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
SERVER_NAME |
Yes | The name displayed in the in-game server browser. |
SERVER_PASS |
No | Optional password players must enter to join. Leave blank for a public server. |
MAX_PLAYERS |
No | Maximum number of players. Default is 64. Higher player counts require more server resources. |
ADMIN_PASS |
No | Password for RCON (remote console) access. Required if you want to use RCON commands. |
SCENARIO_ID |
No | The scenario (game mode) to load. See Section 4 for available scenarios and their IDs. |
3. Server Configuration (config.json)
The main server configuration file is config.json, located in the server's root directory. This file controls all server behaviour including game settings, scenario selection, admin access, and network configuration.
File Location
config.json
Open this file using the Files tab in GPanel or connect via SFTP. If the file does not exist, start and stop the server once to generate it.
Key Settings
| Setting | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
name |
String | Server name displayed in the browser. Overridden by the SERVER_NAME startup variable if set. |
password |
String | Join password. Empty string for a public server. |
passwordAdmin |
String | Admin/RCON password. Required for remote console access. |
scenarioId |
String | The scenario resource ID to load. See Section 4 for values. |
maxPlayers |
Integer | Maximum concurrent players. Default 64. |
visible |
Boolean | Whether the server appears in the public server browser. Set to true for public, false for private (direct connect only). |
crossPlatform |
Boolean | Enable or disable crossplay between PC and console players. Default true. |
supportedPlatforms |
Array | Platforms allowed to connect. Options: "PLATFORM_PC", "PLATFORM_XBL". Include both for cross-platform play. |
disableThirdPerson |
Boolean | Force first-person view only. Default false. |
fastValidation |
Boolean | Speeds up player connection validation. Recommended to keep true. |
battlEye |
Boolean | Enable BattlEye anti-cheat. Default true. See Arma Reforger Admin and Mod Installation for details. |
Example config.json
{
"bindAddress": "0.0.0.0",
"bindPort": 2001,
"publicAddress": "",
"publicPort": 2001,
"game": {
"name": "My Legion Reforger Server",
"password": "",
"passwordAdmin": "YourAdminPassword",
"scenarioId": "{ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf",
"maxPlayers": 64,
"visible": true,
"crossPlatform": true,
"supportedPlatforms": ["PLATFORM_PC", "PLATFORM_XBL"],
"gameProperties": {
"serverMaxViewDistance": 2500,
"serverMinGrassDistance": 50,
"networkViewDistance": 1500,
"disableThirdPerson": false,
"fastValidation": true,
"battlEye": true
},
"mods": []
},
"a2sQueryEnabled": true
}
4. Scenario Selection
Arma Reforger uses scenarios to define the game mode and map. Set the scenarioId in your config to one of the following:
| Scenario | Scenario ID | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conflict | {ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf |
Large-scale military conflict between US and Soviet factions on Everon. Teams capture bases and fight for control of the island. This is the primary PvP game mode. |
| Game Master | {2BBBE828037C6F4B}Missions/22_GM_Everon.conf |
A Game Master (Zeus-like) creates scenarios in real-time for players. One player acts as GM, placing objectives, enemies, and events. Ideal for structured co-op experiences. |
| Combat Ops | {59AD59368755F41A}Missions/21_GM_Eden.conf |
PvE co-operative missions against AI enemies. Players work together to complete objectives on smaller, focused maps. |
| Free Roam | {90F086877C27B6F6}Missions/24_FreeRoam.conf |
Open sandbox mode with no specific objectives. Players can explore, practice, and experiment freely. Good for training or casual play. |
5. How to Connect
Option A -- In-Game Server Browser
- Launch Arma Reforger.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer and then Server Browser.
- Use the search bar or filters to find your server by name.
- Select your server and click Join. Enter the server password if prompted.
visible set to false in config.json, it will not appear in the browser -- use direct connect instead.
Option B -- Direct Connect
- Launch Arma Reforger.
- From the main menu, select Multiplayer and then Direct Join.
- Enter your server's IP address and port from GPanel's Network tab:
<your-server-ip>:<port> - Enter the server password if one is set, then click Join.
6. Network Settings
The network section of config.json controls how the server communicates with players and the master server list.
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
bindAddress |
0.0.0.0 |
The IP address the server binds to. Leave as 0.0.0.0 to bind to all interfaces (recommended). |
bindPort |
2001 |
The UDP port the server listens on. This is managed by GPanel -- do not change it unless instructed. |
publicAddress |
(empty) | Public IP address reported to the master server. Leave empty to auto-detect. |
publicPort |
2001 |
Public port reported to the master server. Should match bindPort. |
a2sQueryEnabled |
true |
Enable A2S query protocol for server browser listing and third-party monitoring tools. |
serverMaxViewDistance |
2500 |
Maximum view distance in metres. Lower values reduce server load but limit how far players can see other entities. |
networkViewDistance |
1500 |
Maximum distance at which the server sends entity data to clients. Reducing this can improve performance on busy servers. |
7. Troubleshooting
Server Not Appearing in the Browser
- Confirm the server is fully started in GPanel. Check the console for errors.
- Verify that
visibleis set totrueinconfig.json. - Ensure
a2sQueryEnabledistrue. - The server browser can take a few minutes to list a newly started server. Try direct connect while waiting.
Server Crashes on Startup
- Check the console log for error messages. The most common cause is invalid JSON syntax in
config.json. - Validate your
config.jsonwith a JSON validator such as jsonlint.com. - Verify the
scenarioIdis a valid scenario identifier. An incorrect ID will prevent the server from loading. - Try deleting
config.jsonand restarting to generate a fresh configuration. - If the crash persists, open a support ticket with your server IP and any error messages from the console.
Players Cannot Connect
- Verify the server is running and check GPanel's Network tab for the correct IP and port.
- Check that the server password is correct (case-sensitive).
- If the server uses mods, players must have all required mods installed. Missing mods will prevent connection.
- Ensure both the server and client are running the same game version.
- If BattlEye is enabled, players must have BattlEye installed and running on their client.
Related Articles
- Arma Reforger Admin and Mod Installation
- How to Find Your Server IP and Port
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
- Server Startup Guide
Need Help?
If you run into issues with your Arma Reforger 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.