Installing Mods on Your Arma Reforger Server

Installing Mods on Your Arma Reforger Server

Arma Reforger has a thriving modding community on Steam Workshop. Mods can add new weapons, vehicles, factions, terrains, game mechanics, and entirely new gameplay experiences. This guide covers how to install, configure, and manage mods on your RespawnHost Arma Reforger server.

How Modding Works

Arma Reforger uses the Enfusion engine’s modding system. Mods are distributed through Steam Workshop. Each mod has a unique Workshop ID (a number). When you add a mod to your server, the server downloads it from Steam Workshop and loads it during startup.

Important: Players connecting to a modded server must also have the same mods installed. The game will prompt them to download missing mods automatically when they attempt to join.

Adding Mods to Your Server

Mods are configured in the mods array in your server.json file. Each mod entry requires the mod’s Workshop ID:

{
  "mods": [
    {
      "modId": "2780991826",
      "name": "Example Mod"
    },
    {
      "modId": "2847993214",
      "name": "Another Mod"
    }
  ]
}

To find a mod’s Workshop ID:

1. Open the mod’s page on Steam Workshop in your browser.
2. Look at the URL. The number after ?id= is the Workshop ID. Example: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2780991826
3. The Workshop ID is 2780991826.

Mod Load Order

Mods are loaded in the order they appear in the mods array. This matters when mods depend on each other or modify the same game systems. Load order rules:

• Core or framework mods should be listed first.
• Content mods (weapons, vehicles, factions) should be listed after their dependencies.
• Override mods that modify other mods should be listed last.

Example with dependency ordering:

{
  "mods": [
    {
      "modId": "2780991826",
      "name": "ACE Core Framework"
    },
    {
      "modId": "2847993214",
      "name": "ACE Weapons Pack"
    },
    {
      "modId": "2901234567",
      "name": "Custom Weapons Override"
    }
  ]
}

Popular Mod Categories

Category	Examples	Purpose
Realism	ACE, enhanced damage models	More realistic combat mechanics
Weapons	Custom weapon packs, RHS, CUP	Additional firearms and equipment
Vehicles	Custom vehicle packs	New vehicles and transport options
Factions	New faction mods	Additional playable factions
Terrains	Custom maps	New environments and battlefields
Quality of Life	HUD improvements, map tools	Improved user interface and tools
Game Modes	New scenario frameworks	Alternative gameplay modes

Custom Scenarios via Workshop

Some mods provide custom scenarios rather than standard content. These scenarios have their own scenario ID and can be set as the active mission in server.json:

{
  "scenarioId": "{A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8}Scenarios/CustomMission.conf"
}

The scenario ID is typically provided by the mod author in the Workshop description. See the Missions Guide for more details on scenario configuration.

Troubleshooting Mod Conflicts

Mod conflicts are a common source of server issues. Follow these steps to diagnose and resolve them:

Server crashes on startup with mods:

1. Check the console output for specific error messages.
2. Remove all mods and add them back one at a time to identify the problematic mod.
3. Verify that all mods are updated to the latest version.

Players cannot connect:

1. Ensure the server has finished downloading all mods before players join.
2. Check that fastValidation is set to true in gameProperties for quicker mod checks.
3. Players may need to manually subscribe to the mods on Steam Workshop if auto-download fails.

Missing content in-game:

1. Verify the mod load order. Dependencies must load before the mods that require them.
2. Check the mod’s Workshop page for known compatibility issues with other mods.
3. Ensure the mod supports the current version of Arma Reforger.

Mod download fails:

1. Restart the server to retry the download.
2. Check that the Workshop ID is correct.
3. The Steam Workshop may be experiencing temporary issues. Try again later.

Keeping Mods Updated

When mod authors update their mods on Steam Workshop, your server needs to download the new version. RespawnHost checks for mod updates on server startup. To update:

1. Stop the server.
2. Start the server again. Updated mods will be downloaded automatically.
3. Inform your players that mods have been updated, as they may need to update their local copies.

Consider scheduling regular restarts to keep mods current without manual intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many mods can I install on my server?

There is no hard limit, but each mod adds to memory usage and load time. For performance reasons, keep your mod list focused on what you need. Servers with 20+ mods may experience longer startup times and increased RAM usage.

Do all players need to install the mods manually?

No. When a player connects to a modded server, Arma Reforger will prompt them to download any missing mods automatically from Steam Workshop. However, the player must have Steam running and be subscribed to the mods.

Can I use mods that are not on Steam Workshop?

Arma Reforger’s official modding system uses Steam Workshop for distribution. Custom or private mods can be uploaded to Workshop as unlisted items and then referenced by their Workshop ID.

Why does my server take long to start with mods?

The server downloads each mod from Steam Workshop during startup. The more mods you have, and the larger they are, the longer the startup process. This is normal behavior.

What happens if I remove a mod that a scenario depends on?

The scenario will fail to load, and the server may crash or fall back to the default mission. Always verify that your active scenario does not depend on removed mods.

Can I run different mod sets for different missions?

The mods array in server.json applies globally to the server. To run different mod sets, you would need to change the mod configuration and restart the server before switching missions.

How do I find good mods for my server?

Browse the Arma Reforger Steam Workshop page, filter by category and rating, and read the descriptions carefully. Pay attention to compatibility notes and required dependencies listed by the mod author.