How many players does a Holdfast server support?

Holdfast officially supports over 150 players per server. Standard is 150 for army line battles (75 vs. 75) and 80 for naval (40 vs. 40). The maximum_players parameter has no hard cap; community tests report stability up to about 180 players.

Which dedicated server platform do you use?

We run Anvil's official Holdfast Dedicated Server (Steam AppID 1424230) on our Linux infrastructure. Identical to what Anvil Game Studios documents on the official wiki at wiki.holdfastgame.com.

Can I install Steam Workshop mods?

Yes. Add Workshop IDs to mods_installed, mods_installed_server_only, or load_mod. Holdfast has had an official SDK since May 2020 (currently SDK 5.0) and the Workshop is fully integrated.

Which factions are playable?

Six Napoleonic factions: British Empire, French Empire, Kingdom of Prussia, Russian Empire, Kingdom of Italy, and Austrian Empire. Plus WWI via Frontlines (Central Powers vs. Entente) and, since 11 June 2026, the American Revolution with British Loyalists vs. American Patriots. The separate Age of Sail app adds the British, Spanish, French, and Privateer navies.

Does cross-play work with PS5 and Xbox Series?

Yes, on unmodded servers. With Steam Workshop mods activated, console players are excluded — Unity's IL2CPP AOT compilation does not allow dynamic code loading on console SDKs. The console release with full crossplay was 9 July 2025.

Does the American Revolution expansion run on the server?

Yes. Holdfast: American Revolution has been a free update inside the base game since 11 June 2026 and runs on the existing dedicated server infrastructure with no extra installation. Pick the four new battlefields — Bunker Hill, Boston Harbor, the Delaware, and Saratoga — via the usual map enums in the server config.

Which ports does a Holdfast server use?

Three UDP ports per server instance: 20100 as the game port (server_port), 8700 for Steam communications (steam_communications_port), and 27000 as the Steam query port (steam_query_port). At RespawnHost all three are configured and opened automatically.

How is the server configured?

Via the file from the official documentation (wiki.holdfastgame.com/Server_Configuration). Key fields: server_name, server_admin_password, maximum_players, and the game-mode/map enums from Server_Configuration_Enums.

How does RCON admin work?

Holdfast has a built-in RCON system. Type the rc prefix in-game, then tab autocompletion. Examples: rc kick, rc ban, rc changemap, rc setmaxplayers, rc info. Login via the server_admin_password from the config.

How much RAM do I need for 150 slots?

For vanilla 150-slot army we recommend 8 GB. With moderate Workshop mods, 10 GB. With big mod packs and custom unit sets, more like 16 GB. Anvil does not publish hard minimums — recommendations come from community experience.

Which game modes does the server support?

Army (line battle), naval combat, sieges, and the Frontlines conversion for WWI. Exact enum values for the server config live in the official docs (wiki.holdfastgame.com/Server_Configuration_Enums) because they can change with updates.

Where is the server located?

In Frankfurt am Main, central in the EU. Low latency for DACH and Western EU. Pure UK or FR communities may benefit from a region-specific solution, but for most European regiments Frankfurt is a very strong pick.

Can I upload custom maps?

Yes, either via the Steam Workshop integration (convenient) or via SFTP for own non-Workshop maps. SFTP guide for large maps is in the wiki under sftp-large-files.

How do I install the WWI expansion Frontlines?

Holdfast: Frontlines is a free part of the base game. On the server, it's activated via the corresponding game-mode enums in the server config. Same engine, different era — Central Powers vs. Entente.

How does the Age of Sail expansion get on the server?

Age of Sail has been a standalone free Steam app (AppID 4434720) since 5 March 2026 with its own server infrastructure — it does not run on the Holdfast: NaW dedicated server. Once Anvil releases hosting tooling to third-party providers, we'll offer it. The American Revolution expansion, by contrast, is part of the base game and already runs on your server.

What does a Holdfast server actually cost?

Pay-per-use, the Captain plan (8 GB) is 0.0801 €/h — 12 hours of line battle per week comes to about 4.17 €/month. As a 24/7 fixed plan it's 22.79 €/month, with term discounts up to 20 % on a 360-day term. Entry point: Recruit (2 GB) from 6.00 €/month or 0.0264 €/h.

What happens when my credit runs out?

The server stops. Your world, configs, and mods stay intact. Top up credit and the server resumes — same state, same IP.

Holdfast nations at war

Holdfast: Nations At War Server Hosting

Name: Holdfast: Nations At War Server Hosting
Brand: RespawnHost
SKU: holdfast-nations-at-war-hosting
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (22 reviews)

Online in < 90 seconds
150-slot line-battle-ready
Pay-per-use, billed by the second

Rent a server now View all plans

4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot

Start instantly

<90

Seconds

Your server is online & ready in seconds

Online in 90 seconds

From click to running server — no waiting.

Simple & flexible

Easy setup, flexible terms, full control.

Safe & protected

DDoS protection, backups and modern hosting.

Billed by the second

Pay-per-use – only pay while your server runs.

Our most popular plans

Choose your plan

Save up to 20%with a longer term

Slots

2GBRAM

6.00 €/ mo

Recommended for 32 players

Naval private server or drill map (20-30 slots)
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 20 more games included

Slots

4GBRAM

12.00 €/ mo

Recommended for 60 players

Vanilla army 50-80 slots or naval public
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 43 more games included

Slots

6GBRAM

17.09 €/ mo

Recommended for 90 players

Army 80-120 slots with moderate Workshop mods
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 51 more games included

Slots

8GBRAM

22.79 €/ mo

Recommended for 120 players

Full 120-150 slot army standard
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 59 more games included

Slots

10GBRAM

27.00 €/ mo

Recommended for 150 players

150-slot line battle with 5-10 Workshop mods
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 59 more games included

Slots

16GBRAM

40.79 €/ mo

Recommended for 200 players

Mod-heavy events, tournament setups, clusters
Premium server hardware
Premium DDoS protection
Game switching to 59 more games included

No slot limits – player counts are recommendations, tested on our hardware.

4.7/5 on Trustpilot · "CoC Modded" runs 50+ players stable on modern AMD Ryzen hardware

Fixed plans are 100% prepaid – paid once in advance from your balance. No subscription contract, no debt collection: without balance nothing renews.

What is a Holdfast server?

A Holdfast server is a dedicated server for Holdfast: Nations At War, Anvil Game Studios' 150-player Napoleonic-era battle game. It runs Anvil's official dedicated server (Steam app 1424230) independently of your PC and is configured via a plain-text config with fields like server_name, maximum_players, and mods_installed. Since the free American Revolution update on 11 June 2026, the base game covers three eras: Napoleonic, WWI (Frontlines), and the Revolutionary War. At RespawnHost you rent one pay-per-use from 0.0264 €/h (billed by the second) or as a fixed plan from 6.00 €/month — online in under 90 seconds.

150 players per server 3 eras: Napoleonic, WWI, American Revolution Steam Workshop mods & RCON Pay-per-use from 0.0264 €/h

Everything you need

These features come with every Holdfast plan.

Instant setup

Your Holdfast server is up in under 90 seconds.

Up to 150 players

Officially supported slot count for line battles and sieges.

Steam Workshop mods

Enter Workshop IDs, restart server — mods are live.

Per-second billing

Pay per second of server uptime. Server off = nothing billed.

DDoS protection

Line battle events attract attacks. Premium Gaming DDoS Protection protection included.

Gaming support

Our support knows Holdfast — we play it ourselves.

Gaming Infrastructure

Premium hardware for your Holdfast: Nations At War server

Kostenrechner

Calculate your real costs for Holdfast: Nations At War

Play time per day3h

1h24h

Your typical day

0:0024:00

Fixed plan

6.00 €

runs around the clock

RespawnHost

~2.37 €

3h/day billed

Your savings

versus the fixed plan, at 90 h/month

60 %

~3.63 €

The fixed plan only pays off from around 7.6 hours a day. Below that, Pay-per-Use is cheaper.

Based on the 2 GB package. Actual costs may vary depending on usage.

Hardware & Infrastruktur

Optimized for Holdfast: Nations At War

Processor

AMD Ryzen

RAM

DDR5

Storage

NVMe SSD

DDoS protection

Premium Gaming DDoS Protection

Uplink

10 Gbit/s

Uptime

100.00 %

All systems operational

Live status on Instatus

Transparent pricing

You only pay for what you actually use. Full transparency, no setup fees.

You only pay when the server is online

No cost between line battle events.

Per-second billing

Credit is deducted live while the server runs.

No hidden fees

No setup fees, no minimum term, no contract lock-in.

Holdfast price example

Captain (8 GB RAM) as a fixed plan18.98 € / Month

Pay-per-use hourly rate≈ 0.0264 € / Hour

(0.0264 € × 720 Hours = 18.98 €)

Live billing

Credit is only deducted while the server runs. Stop it after the event to save.

Example: 2 GB Package

2 hours online≈ 0.05 €

Server turned off0.00 €

Total costOnly what you play!

The difference vs. classic Holdfast hosts

Compare our Holdfast server features.

Feature	RespawnHost.com	Provider A	Provider B	Provider C	Provider D
Pay only when server is online
Server ready in under 90 seconds
150-slot line battle ready
Unlimited NVMe SSD
One-click Steam Workshop
Custom control panel
Full SFTP access
AMD Ryzen Performance
Premium Gaming DDoS protection

*1 Sample of four major providers, surveyed in July 2026 based on their public pricing and feature pages. The providers are not named because plans can change at any time — what counts is the state as of the survey date.

Frequently asked questions about Holdfast: Nations At War servers

Holdfast: Nations At War Server Hosting — Discipline, Black Powder, and 150 Men per Line

Holdfast: Nations At War is the biggest Napoleonic-era multiplayer battle game on Steam: up to 150 players per server in line battles, naval combat, and sieges. Developed by Malta-based Anvil Game Studios, at version 1.0 since 5 March 2020, and on PS5 and Xbox Series with full crossplay since 9 July 2025. In 2026 the game is more alive than ever: March brought the free naval expansion Age of Sail as its own Steam app, and on 11 June 2026 the free American Revolution expansion landed directly in the base game — running on every dedicated server with zero extra setup.

Why rent a Holdfast server at RespawnHost?

Holdfast simulates the battle on a single main thread. What counts is CPU single-core performance — and modern AMD Ryzen hardware with over 5 GHz boost is among the fastest consumer silicon currently available. That's exactly what our servers run on. For a 150-slot event with two firing lines, that's the difference between clean tick rate and lag.

Mods work out of the box via the official Steam Workshop. Our server software is Anvil's official dedicated server (Steam AppID 1424230) — no custom forks. Enter Workshop IDs in `mods_installed`, restart the server, done. Premium Gaming DDoS protection guards every event from targeted attacks — and line battles are a popular target.

Features for regiments, leagues, and captains

Steam Workshop mods in panel: enter IDs, restart server
Built-in RCON: `rc` commands in-game with tab autocompletion
Cross-play support: PS5 / Xbox Series players join unmodded servers
Server config per official Anvil wiki, no custom schema
Line battle tooling: setteamcount, setmaxplayers, changemap live
SFTP access: upload custom maps and mods outside Workshop
DDoS protection: line battle events attract attacks — protection included
Frankfurt location: low latency for DACH and Western EU regiments

With pay-per-use you only pay for event hours: a weekly 4-hour event on the Captain plan (8 GB) costs about 1.39 €/month — the same plan as a 24/7 fixed package is 22.79 €/month.

Pay-per-use — particularly sensible for Holdfast

Holdfast is played 90% during event evenings: line battles on the weekend, naval sessions once per week per regiment, league matches once per month. At flat-rate hosts you pay the full price every month — and the server sits empty most of the time.

With us, billing is by the second. If your regiment runs Fri+Sat+Sun line battles, 5 hours each, that's about 60 hours per month — roughly 4.81 € on the Captain plan (8 GB, 0.0801 €/h). If your server runs 24/7 instead, the fixed plan is cheaper: 22.79 €/month, up to 20 % less on a 360-day term.

Tip: enable the auto-stop feature in the panel. The server shuts itself down after X minutes without players — you don't have to remember.

Holdfast dedicated server: ports, config, and Workshop mods

The official Holdfast dedicated server (Steam app 1424230, Windows and Linux) needs three UDP ports per instance and is driven by a plain-text config — global settings on top, map rotation below. All values per Anvil's official docs (wiki.holdfastgame.com):

At RespawnHost, ports and base config come preconfigured — edit the config right in the panel or via SFTP. Step-by-step guide including mod examples and RCON commands: Holdfast setup guide in our wiki.

Ports: UDP 20100 (game port, server_port), UDP 8700 (steam_communications_port), UDP 27000 (steam_query_port)
Core fields: server_name, server_admin_password (doubles as RCON password), server_password, maximum_players
Map rotation: map_name, game_mode, and round_time_minutes per entry
Workshop mods: mods_installed , — IDs comma-separated, no spaces; mods_installed_server_only for server-only mods
In-game RCON: rc kick, rc ban, rc changemap, rc setmaxplayers — with tab autocompletion
Frontlines (WWI) and American Revolution: free parts of the base game, run on the same server with no extra installation

Holdfast in 2026: console crossplay, Age of Sail, and the American Revolution

Since the console release on 9 July 2025, PS5 and Xbox Series players fight on the same servers as PC via crossplay — unmodded public servers fill up noticeably faster. Player numbers have been climbing ever since, and Anvil keeps shipping free content at a high pace in 2026.

On 5 March 2026, Holdfast: Age of Sail launched as a standalone free Steam app (AppID 4434720): pure naval warfare with around 100 players per server, 7 ship classes from the Rocketboat to the 50-Gun Frigate, and the British, Spanish, French, and Privateer navies.

The American Revolution expansion from 11 June 2026, by contrast, is a free update inside the base game — timed for the 250th anniversary of American independence. Four historical battlefields (Bunker Hill, Boston Harbor, the Delaware, Saratoga), over 15 new classes, and Patriots vs. Loyalists in 150-player battles. Key for server owners: it runs on the existing dedicated server infrastructure — no extra setup, no separate server app.

Last updated: July 2026