How to make an Arma 3 dedicated server

An Arma 3 dedicated server runs your group’s missions on its own, without anyone’s PC hosting them. It needs a few config files, the missions you want to play, and a fast CPU core for the AI.

What you need

• Your own copy of Arma 3, on PC. Every player needs one too. We never ship game files.
• Missions. Arma 3 runs scenarios, called missions, packed as .pbo files. Use ones from the Steam Workshop, from your group, or ones you make in the Eden editor.
• A plan with enough RAM. Arma 3 leans on one fast core more than on memory. Big mod sets are what push memory up.

Create your server

1. Choose Arma 3 in the game list.
2. Pick Arma 3, or Arma 3 with Creator DLC if your group plays Creator DLC such as S.O.G. Prairie Fire or Global Mobilization.
3. Pick a plan from the table above.
4. Choose the region closest to your players. US East and Europe are open now.
5. Pick a name. It becomes your address, like ridgeline.tosk.gg.
6. Pay. The server installs Arma 3 and starts.

The first start downloads about 10 GB, so it takes a few minutes. Later starts take from half a minute to a few minutes, longer with big mods.

Load a mission

1. Upload the mission’s .pbo file to mpmissions in Files. Its name looks like MyOperation.Altis.pbo.
2. Open server.cfg and name it in the missions list, without .pbo:

class Missions
{
    class Mission1
    {
        template = "MyOperation.Altis";
        difficulty = "Regular";
    };
};

3. Restart. The server loads the first mission in the list by itself.

You can also pick missions from inside the game once you’re admin, with #missions.

Become admin

Wilderack makes an admin password for your server. Copy it from Settings.

1. Join your server.
2. Open the chat and type #login followed by a space and the password.
3. You’re admin until you leave. Try #missions to pick a mission, or #kick to remove a player.

The config reference lists the commands.

Pick the basics

Under Settings you can change the server name, password, player limit, difficulty, voice chat, signed mods and BattlEye without opening a file. Each one writes a line in server.cfg for you.

Charging players

If you take money from players, even as donations, Bohemia’s server monetization rules apply. Your server must be registered and approved by Bohemia. Read Bohemia’s monetization page before you set up a store.

Why Arma 3 servers stay on

Players find Arma 3 servers in the Launcher and the in-game browser. A server that sleeps drops out of both, so Arma 3 servers stay on all the time and are sold on always-on plans.

What to read next

• How to connect
• Config reference
• Mods
• Performance