Fistful of Frags Server Game Modes and Bots (fof_sv_currentmode)

A Fistful of Frags server's game mode is set with fof_sv_currentmode in fof/cfg/server.cfg: 1 is Shootout, 2 Teamplay and objectives, 3 Break Bad, 4 Elimination, 5 Versus and 6 Course. Bots are controlled with fof_sv_bot_slotpct, where 0 turns them off and 1 lets them fill free slots, including on custom maps that do not set up bot slots themselves. Change either, then load a map that suits the mode, and the server switches over.

How modes work on a FoF server

Fistful of Frags has a handful of official modes, and the server runs one at a time. The mode cvar decides the rules, and the map has to support that mode, so the two go together: a duel map in Versus, an objective map in Teamplay, an open town in Shootout. Picking a mode is therefore two steps, setting the cvar and building a map rotation for it.

The modes, one by one

Shootout is the default for most public servers. Everyone fights everyone, or in team variants, up to four teams. It suits a server where people come and go.

Teamplay is for groups that show up together. Objectives keep teams moving instead of camping corners.

Elimination makes every life count, which is why it is popular for competitive events like The Saloon's Team Elimination cup.

Versus pairs players for duels. A small server with Versus and a tight map list makes a good practice room for a clan.

Setting the mode

Add or change the line in fof/cfg/server.cfg:

fof_sv_currentmode 4

Then load a map that supports it. From the server console:

changelevel fof_revenge

Or let the next map in the rotation load. A mode change without a suitable map gives you broken spawns or no objectives, so set the rotation at the same time.

Building a rotation per mode

The map cycle file lists maps one per line. Point the server at it in server.cfg:

mapcyclefile "mapcycle.txt"

Then in fof/cfg/mapcycle.txt:

fof_revenge
fof_cripplecreek

Keep each rotation to maps built for the mode you set. If you run SourceMod's map voting, it uses the same list, so a clean rotation also keeps votes sensible. Our guide to installing SourceMod on a Fistful of Frags server covers map voting.

On a GamezServers server, the Default Map in the panel is the map the server boots into. Set it to a map from your rotation so the first map after a restart matches your mode.

Ghost Town for Halloween

Ghost Town is the community's seasonal mode: Four Team Shootout on spooky versions of favorite maps, with TnT bows that respawn for each team. The game's own news posts explain how server owners enable it:

1. Add the Ghost Town maps, which use the gt_ prefix, to your map cycle.
2. Add these lines to server.cfg:

fof_sv_ghost_town 1
fof_sv_ghost_town_xbow 1

The first turns on the mode, the second the TnT bow spawning and highlighting. Turn both back to 0 and swap the rotation when the season ends.

Bots

Bots keep a small server lively. With a few regulars on, an empty town is no fun; with bots filling gaps there is always someone to shoot.

fof_sv_bot_slotpct 1

The value controls how much of the free space bots may use, so values between 0 and 1 leave more room empty. Restart or change the map after editing.

Bots will not spawn on a custom map? Many community maps do not set up bot slots. Setting fof_sv_bot_slotpct 1 in the server config gives bots slots on those maps too.

Bots too much for your hardware? Each bot costs some CPU. Use bots to fill gaps, not entire teams, and lower the value on a busy server.

Testing a map? With cheats on for a private test, fof_bot_stop 1 freezes bots in place so you can walk the map. Set it back to 0 and turn cheats off before players join.

Community modes

Beyond the official modes, community servers run custom ones such as Knife Fight Club and Fistful of Zombies 2.0, usually built with SourceMod plugins and special map setups. If your group wants one, look for the mode's thread on the Fistful of Frags forums, follow its install notes and test it on a private copy of your server first.

Quick recipes

Public drop in server: Shootout with bots.

fof_sv_currentmode 1
fof_sv_bot_slotpct 1

Clan scrims: Elimination, no bots, a password.

fof_sv_currentmode 4
fof_sv_bot_slotpct 0
sv_password "scrim-night"

Duel room: Versus with a short duel map list and no bots.

fof_sv_currentmode 5
fof_sv_bot_slotpct 0

Set it up without the router work

A Fistful of Frags server from GamezServers has the Default Map and auto update in the panel, server.cfg and mapcycle.txt in the file manager, and a live console for changelevel and cvar changes. Backups are one click, so switching your server to Ghost Town for October and back again is painless. For the full first time setup, see how to host a Fistful of Frags server.

FAQ

How do I change the game mode on a Fistful of Frags server?

Set fof_sv_currentmode in server.cfg (1 Shootout, 2 Teamplay, 3 Break Bad, 4 Elimination, 5 Versus, 6 Course) and load a map built for that mode.

How do I add bots to my FoF server?

Set fof_sv_bot_slotpct 1 in server.cfg and change the map. Set it to 0 to remove them.

Why don't bots spawn on my custom map?

The map does not set up bot slots. fof_sv_bot_slotpct 1 in the server config gives bots slots on such maps.

How do I run Ghost Town?

Put gt_ maps in your rotation and set fof_sv_ghost_town 1 and fof_sv_ghost_town_xbow 1 in server.cfg.

Does changing the mode need a restart?

No. A map change is enough, as long as the next map supports the new mode.