Configuration

Arma Reforger Server Settings: Complete Configuration Reference

Published: 2025-12-08•18 min read

Arma Reforger Server Settings: Complete Configuration Reference 2025

This comprehensive guide covers every Arma Reforger server settings parameter in the config.json file. Whether you're setting up your first reforger server config or optimizing an existing installation, this reference explains all configuration options with recommended values.

Understanding config.json Structure

The Arma Reforger config file uses JSON format with several main sections:

{
  "dedicatedServerId": "",
  "region": "US",
  "gameHostBindAddress": "",
  "gameHostBindPort": 2001,
  "game": {
    // Game-specific settings
  },
  "operating": {
    // Operating parameters
  }
}

Complete Server Config Parameters

Top-Level Server Settings

dedicatedServerId

Type: String Required: Recommended Description: Unique identifier from Bohemia Interactive account Example: "YOUR-SERVER-ID-HERE"

Get your ID from: https://community.bistudio.com/wikidata/images/1/1a/Arma_Reforger_Server_Hosting.pdf

region

Type: String Required: Yes Options: US, EU, AS, AU, SA, AF Description: Server geographical region for matchmaking Recommended: Choose closest to your server location

"region": "US"

gameHostBindAddress

Type: String Required: No Description: Specific IP address to bind (leave empty for all) Default: "" (all interfaces)

gameHostBindPort

Type: Integer Required: Yes Range: 1024-65535 Default: 2001 Description: UDP port for game traffic

"gameHostBindPort": 2001

Port Requirements:

  • Must be forwarded in router (UDP)
  • Must be allowed in firewall
  • Cannot be used by another application

gameHostRegisterBindAddress

Type: String Required: No Description: Address for server registration

gameHostRegisterPort

Type: Integer Required: Yes Default: 2001 Description: Port for server registration (usually same as gameHostBindPort)

adminPassword

Type: String Required: Highly Recommended Description: Password for admin access via RCON Security: Use strong passwords (12+ characters)

"adminPassword": "YourSecurePassword123!"

Game Section Settings

The game object contains core gameplay configuration:

name

Type: String Required: Yes Max Length: 100 characters Description: Server name displayed in browser

"name": "My Arma Reforger Server - [US] PvP"

Best Practices:

  • Include region tag [US], [EU]
  • Mention game mode (PvP, Co-op, RP)
  • Keep under 50 characters for visibility
  • Avoid special characters that break sorting

password

Type: String Required: No Description: Password required to join server Use Case: Private/community servers

"password": "communitypass123"

Leave empty for public servers.

scenarioId

Type: String Required: Yes Description: Workshop scenario ID or built-in scenario path

Built-in Scenarios:

"scenarioId": "{ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf"

Workshop Scenarios:

"scenarioId": "{WORKSHOP-SCENARIO-ID}"

maxPlayers

Type: Integer Required: Yes Range: 1-64 Recommended: 32 Description: Maximum concurrent players

"maxPlayers": 32

Performance Impact:

  • 1-16 players: Minimal CPU usage
  • 17-32 players: Moderate CPU usage (recommended)
  • 33-64 players: High CPU usage (powerful server required)

visible

Type: Boolean Required: Yes Description: Show server in public browser

"visible": true

Set to false for testing or private servers.

crossPlatform

Type: Boolean Required: No Default: true Description: Allow cross-platform play (PC/Console)

"crossPlatform": true

supportedGameClientTypes

Type: Array Options: ["PC", "CONSOLE"] Description: Allowed platform types

"supportedGameClientTypes": ["PC", "CONSOLE"]

gameProperties

Type: Object Required: No Description: Scenario-specific properties

"gameProperties": {
  "serverMaxViewDistance": 2500,
  "serverMinGrassDistance": 50,
  "networkViewDistance": 1500,
  "disableThirdPerson": false,
  "fastValidation": true,
  "battlEye": true,
  "VONDisableUI": false,
  "VONDisableDirectSpeechUI": false,
  "missionHeader": {
    "m_iPlayerCount": 32,
    "m_eEditableGameFlags": 6,
    "m_eDefaultGameFlags": 6
  }
}

serverMaxViewDistance

Type: Integer Range: 500-10000 Recommended: 2500 Description: Maximum render distance (meters)

Performance vs Quality:

  • 1500-2000: Best performance
  • 2500: Balanced (recommended)
  • 3500+: High quality (powerful server only)

networkViewDistance

Type: Integer Range: 500-5000 Recommended: 1500 Description: Network sync distance for entities

Impact:

  • Lower value: Better performance, less awareness
  • Higher value: More CPU/bandwidth, better awareness

disableThirdPerson

Type: Boolean Default: false Description: Force first-person only

"disableThirdPerson": false

Set to true for realistic/mil-sim servers.

battlEye

Type: Boolean Recommended: true Description: Enable BattlEye anti-cheat

"battlEye": true

Always enable for public servers to prevent cheating.

fastValidation

Type: Boolean Default: true Description: Speed up connection validation

"fastValidation": true

Set to false only if experiencing connection issues.

Mods Configuration

mods

Type: Array Description: Workshop mod IDs to load

"mods": [
  {
    "modId": "59BD4AB5843D608F",
    "name": "Enhanced Movement"
  },
  {
    "modId": "591AF5BDA9F7CE8B",
    "name": "Advanced Vehicles"
  }
]

Important Notes:

  • Load order matters - Dependencies first
  • modId: Workshop mod ID (from mod URL)
  • name: Optional, for readability only
  • Test mods in local server before deploying

Operating Section

Advanced operating parameters:

"operating": {
  "lobbyPlayerSynchronise": true,
  "playerSaveTime": 60,
  "AILimit": 100
}

lobbyPlayerSynchronise

Type: Boolean Default: true Description: Sync players before mission start

playerSaveTime

Type: Integer Range: 10-300 Default: 60 Unit: Seconds Description: How often to save player data

Considerations:

  • Lower value: Less data loss risk, more I/O
  • Higher value: Better performance, more loss risk
  • Recommended: 60-120 seconds

AILimit

Type: Integer Range: 0-500 Default: 100 Description: Maximum AI entities

Performance Impact:

  • 0-50: Minimal impact
  • 50-100: Moderate (recommended)
  • 100+: High CPU usage

Recommended Config Presets

Public PvP Server

{
  "dedicatedServerId": "YOUR-ID",
  "region": "US",
  "gameHostBindPort": 2001,
  "adminPassword": "SecurePass123!",
  "game": {
    "name": "[US] Public PvP Server",
    "password": "",
    "maxPlayers": 32,
    "visible": true,
    "crossPlatform": true,
    "gameProperties": {
      "serverMaxViewDistance": 2500,
      "networkViewDistance": 1500,
      "disableThirdPerson": false,
      "battlEye": true
    }
  }
}

Private Mil-Sim Server

{
  "dedicatedServerId": "YOUR-ID",
  "region": "EU",
  "gameHostBindPort": 2001,
  "adminPassword": "SecurePass123!",
  "game": {
    "name": "[EU] Mil-Sim Community",
    "password": "communitypass",
    "maxPlayers": 20,
    "visible": false,
    "gameProperties": {
      "serverMaxViewDistance": 3500,
      "networkViewDistance": 2000,
      "disableThirdPerson": true,
      "battlEye": true
    }
  }
}

Co-op PvE Server

{
  "dedicatedServerId": "YOUR-ID",
  "region": "AS",
  "gameHostBindPort": 2001,
  "adminPassword": "SecurePass123!",
  "game": {
    "name": "[AS] Co-op Campaign",
    "maxPlayers": 16,
    "visible": true,
    "gameProperties": {
      "serverMaxViewDistance": 2000,
      "networkViewDistance": 1500,
      "battlEye": true
    }
  },
  "operating": {
    "AILimit": 150
  }
}

Performance Optimization Settings

For Low-End Servers (2-4 cores)

"gameProperties": {
  "serverMaxViewDistance": 1500,
  "networkViewDistance": 1000,
  "serverMinGrassDistance": 0
},
"operating": {
  "AILimit": 50
}

For High-End Servers (8+ cores)

"gameProperties": {
  "serverMaxViewDistance": 3500,
  "networkViewDistance": 2500,
  "serverMinGrassDistance": 100
},
"operating": {
  "AILimit": 200
}

Common Configuration Mistakes

❌ Incorrect Port Forwarding

"gameHostBindPort": 2001,
"gameHostRegisterPort": 2002  // Wrong! Should match

Fix: Use same port for both.

❌ Missing Admin Password

"adminPassword": ""  // Don't leave empty!

Fix: Always set a strong admin password.

❌ Too Many Players for Server

"maxPlayers": 64  // Too high for most servers

Fix: Start with 32, increase if performance allows.

❌ Conflicting Mods

"mods": [
  {"modId": "MOD-A"},
  {"modId": "MOD-B"}  // Conflicts with MOD-A
]

Fix: Test mod compatibility before adding.

Monitoring & Maintenance

Config Validation

Always validate config.json before deployment:

Performance Monitoring

Monitor these metrics:

  • CPU usage: Should stay below 80%
  • RAM usage: Monitor for memory leaks
  • Network: Check bandwidth usage
  • Player count: Track concurrent players

Regular Updates

Keep your server config updated:

  • Review settings monthly
  • Test new Arma Reforger updates
  • Update mod IDs when mods update
  • Adjust based on player feedback

Troubleshooting Config Issues

Server Won't Start

Check:

  1. JSON syntax (use validator)
  2. Port not in use by another app
  3. Invalid mod IDs
  4. File permissions (Linux)

Poor Performance

Optimize:

  1. Reduce maxPlayers
  2. Lower serverMaxViewDistance
  3. Decrease AI Limit
  4. Remove unnecessary mods

Players Can't Join

Verify:

  1. Ports forwarded correctly
  2. visible: true if public
  3. No password typos
  4. Compatible client version

Conclusion

This Arma Reforger server settings reference covers all essential config.json parameters. Use our free config generator to create optimized configurations without JSON errors.

Need help? Check our other guides:

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