Arma Reforger Game Master Server: Setup, Roles and Budgets
Game Master is the Arma Reforger mode where one player builds and runs the mission live: placing AI, vehicles and objects, setting time and weather, and steering the scenario. To host it, set the server's scenario ID to a Game Master scenario, such as the Everon or Arland ones, then restart. The Game Master is a player, not a server setting, so you also need to know who gets the role.
This guide covers the scenario IDs, who can become Game Master, what the role can do, and the budgets that limit it. It was checked on 2026-11-15 against the Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki's Game Master page, which does not say how Game Master is enabled through the server config, so the setup steps come from our own scenario guide. Bohemia's pages lag the game, so confirm details in the game after an update.
- Set Scenario ID on the Startup tab to a Game Master scenario, click Save startup and Restart. Everon is
{59AD59368755F41A}Missions/21_GM_Eden.confand Arland is{2BBBE828037C6F4B}Missions/22_GM_Arland.conf. - The wiki says a server host or declared server admin always has access to the Game Master interface, and that if no Game Master is present, the first player to connect obtains the role.
- The Game Master can create, edit, move and remove AI units, vehicles and prefabs, give group waypoints, and set time, weather, respawn and factions. Changing the base terrain is not possible.
- Four budgets (Object, AI, Vehicle and System) cap what can exist. At 100% you cannot add more of that type until you remove some.
- Large Game Master sessions cost server performance. See the scenarios and performance guide.
On this page
Set up a Game Master scenario
- Open the Startup tab
Sign in at panel.chicagoservers.co, open your Arma Reforger server and go to the Startup tab.
- Enter the scenario ID
Paste the full ID, braces included, into Scenario ID. Pick the map you want:
{59AD59368755F41A}Missions/21_GM_Eden.conf - Save and restart
Click Save startup, then Restart. Join once the server finishes loading.
| Map | scenarioId |
|---|---|
| Everon | {59AD59368755F41A}Missions/21_GM_Eden.conf |
| Arland | {2BBBE828037C6F4B}Missions/22_GM_Arland.conf |
Scenario IDs can change between game versions, so if a server will not load the scenario, run -listScenarios (ask support, since launch options are staff-only) or check the scenario ID list. The startup parameters guide explains that option.
Who becomes Game Master
- The wiki says the server host or a declared server admin always has access to the Game Master interface.
- If no Game Master is present, the first player to connect obtains the role.
- The role cannot be handed over unless the current Game Master disconnects.
On a dedicated server, admins are set with the admin password or the game.admins list. See the admin commands guide for #login and game.admins. Because the first player in can take the role when nobody holds it, log in as soon as the server is up if you want to be the Game Master, and tell your community who it should be.
What a Game Master can do
| Area | What the wiki says |
|---|---|
| Entities | Create, edit, move and kill AI units and vehicles. Create, move and delete prefabs. |
| Orders | Give group waypoints. |
| Playing | The Game Master can spawn into the game. |
| Scenario settings | Playable factions, respawn (including respawn time and spawning near radio operators), server-wide ambient music, and objectives. The AI ignores faction objectives. |
| Time and weather | Time of day, date, and time progression with a multiplier from 0.1x to 12.0x. Weather and wind can be automated or set by hand. |
| Not possible | Modifying the base terrain. |
Scenario properties are opened by holding V in game. Removing a playable faction kills any players assigned to it, so warn people first. The wiki's table on editing players is garbled, so test what you can do to players before you rely on it.
The four budgets
Game Master sessions are limited by four budgets: Object, AI, Vehicle and System. They appear at the bottom right of the Entity Browser. When one reaches 100%, you cannot add more of that type until you remove existing entities.
- Use Clear Destroyed Entities to delete killed soldiers and destroyed vehicles and free up budget.
- Plan big set pieces in stages and remove what players have passed.
- Budgets protect performance. A session near its limits is also the one most likely to lag.
Keep the server healthy
- Watch server FPS with
-logStatsand cap it with-maxFPS. Both are launch options, so ask support to set them. - Limit AI with
aiLimitin theoperatingblock of the server config. See the server config guide. - Take a backup on the Backups tab before big changes.
- Mods change what the Game Master can place and add load. See the mods guide.
Time and weather defaults can also be set in the config with the mission header. See the mission header guide.
Game Master problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| The wrong person is Game Master | The first player to connect took the role when nobody held it. Have the current Game Master disconnect and the right person join. |
| No Game Master interface | You are not on a Game Master scenario, you are not the Game Master, or you are not logged in as admin. |
| Cannot add more entities | A budget is at 100%. Clear destroyed entities or remove some. |
| The server lags | Too many AI or vehicles. Lower them and check FPS. |
| The scenario does not load | The scenario ID is wrong or changed. Copy it exactly, braces included. |
| Players died after a faction change | Removing a playable faction kills players assigned to it. |
Ready to host? See Arma Reforger server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I host an Arma Reforger Game Master server?
Set Scenario ID on the Startup tab to a Game Master scenario, such as {59AD59368755F41A}Missions/21_GM_Eden.conf for Everon or {2BBBE828037C6F4B}Missions/22_GM_Arland.conf for Arland, then Save startup and Restart.
Who becomes Game Master on an Arma Reforger server?
The wiki says a server host or declared server admin always has access, and that if no Game Master is present the first player to connect obtains the role. Test it on your own server.
What can an Arma Reforger Game Master do?
Create, edit, move and kill AI units and vehicles, create and delete prefabs, give group waypoints, set time, weather and respawn, and manage factions. Modifying the base terrain is not possible.
What are Game Master budgets in Arma Reforger?
There are four: Object, AI, Vehicle and System. At 100% of a budget you cannot add more of that type until you remove entities. Clear Destroyed Entities frees budget.
Can I change the Game Master during a session?
The wiki says the role cannot be transferred unless the current Game Master disconnects.