Setting Up a Custom Faction System on an Arma 3 Server

Custom factions allow you to create unique teams with specific loadouts, vehicles, and objectives, making your MILSIM, PvE, or RP experience more immersive. By modifying the mission file and configuration settings, you can assign players to custom factions with their own gear and roles.

This guide will walk you through creating a custom faction, assigning units, and applying it to your server using VolticHost Game Panel.

📌 Prerequisites

• An Arma 3 server purchased at VolticHost.com

• Access to VolticHost Game Panel

• Basic knowledge of Arma 3 scripting (.sqf files)

1️⃣ Creating a Custom Faction in Description.ext

1. Log in to VolticHost Game Panel.

2. Navigate to File Manager.

3. Open or create description.ext inside your mission folder:

   /mpmissions/your_mission.Altis/description.ext
   

4. Add the following faction definitions:

   class CfgFactionClasses
   {
       class CustomFaction_BLUFOR
       {
           displayName = "Task Force Falcon"; 
           priority = 3;
           side = 1; // 0 = OPFOR, 1 = BLUFOR, 2 = Independent
       };
   
       class CustomFaction_OPFOR
       {
           displayName = "Insurgents";
           priority = 3;
           side = 0;
       };
   };
   

5. Save the file.

✅ Your custom factions are now defined in the mission!

2️⃣ Assigning Units to a Custom Faction

To assign units, vehicles, and gear to the new faction:

1. Open or create init.sqf inside the mission folder:

   /mpmissions/your_mission.Altis/init.sqf
   

2. Add this script to assign a unit to a custom faction:

   if (side player == west) then {
       player setVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_BLUFOR"];
   } else {
       player setVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_OPFOR"];
   };
   

3. Save the file and restart the server.

✅ Players now spawn as members of their assigned faction!

3️⃣ Adding Custom Faction Loadouts

To ensure each faction spawns with unique gear, modify loadouts.sqf:

1. Open or create loadouts.sqf inside:

   /mpmissions/your_mission.Altis/loadouts.sqf
   

2. Define faction-based loadouts:

   if (player getVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_BLUFOR"]) then {
       removeAllWeapons player;
       player addWeapon "arifle_MX_F";
       player addVest "V_PlateCarrier1_rgr";
       player addBackpack "B_AssaultPack_rgr";
       player addItem "FirstAidKit";
   };
   
   if (player getVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_OPFOR"]) then {
       removeAllWeapons player;
       player addWeapon "arifle_AKM_F";
       player addVest "V_TacVest_blk";
       player addBackpack "B_FieldPack_blk";
       player addItem "FirstAidKit";
   };
   

3. Save the file and restart the server.

✅ Players now receive faction-specific gear on spawn!

4️⃣ Assigning Custom Faction Vehicles

To give each faction their own vehicles, modify init.sqf:

1. Open init.sqf inside:

   /mpmissions/your_mission.Altis/init.sqf
   

2. Add vehicle assignments:

   if (player getVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_BLUFOR"]) then {
       _veh = createVehicle ["B_MRAP_01_F", getMarkerPos "blufor_spawn", [], 0, "NONE"];
       _veh setVehicleVarName "BLUFOR_MRAP";
   };
   
   if (player getVariable ["faction", "CustomFaction_OPFOR"]) then {
       _veh = createVehicle ["O_MRAP_02_F", getMarkerPos "opfor_spawn", [], 0, "NONE"];
       _veh setVehicleVarName "OPFOR_MRAP";
   };
   

3. Save the file and restart the server.

✅ Each faction now has its own dedicated vehicles!

5️⃣ Restarting the Server to Apply Changes

1. Navigate to the Console tab in VolticHost Game Panel.

2. Click Stop to shut down the server.

3. Wait a few seconds, then click Start to relaunch with the new faction system.

✅ Your Arma 3 server now runs with custom factions and role-based kits!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully created custom factions, assigned units, added faction-specific gear, and configured faction-based vehicles using VolticHost Game Panel! Players now experience a fully customized military operation with role-based teams. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.