Holdfast: Nations At War FAQ

This document helps PingPlayers staff and AI agents answer common questions about running, configuring, and managing Holdfast: Nations At War servers — including maps, modes, mods, saves, and best practices.

✅ What version is my Holdfast server running?

By default, your Holdfast server runs the latest stable version available through Steam. Version downgrading or using legacy branches is not officially supported.

If an update is released:

• If Auto Update is enabled, the server will automatically restart and update to the newest version.
• If Update on Boot is enabled, the server will check for updates each time it restarts.

⚙️ How do I configure my Holdfast server?

Server configuration is done through two sections:

1. Basic Settings — This covers the main variables from the serverconfig.txt like server name, passwords, map rotation settings, MOTD, etc. These can be edited directly in your web panel.
2. Config Manager — Use this to create full templates for your configuration files. The system applies these templates automatically, so there’s minimal need for manual file edits. For example, to create multiple map rotations and add mods or extra configurations that aren't found in Basic Settings.

⚠️ All changes require a server restart to apply.

🗺️ How do map rotations work in Holdfast?

Holdfast’s serverconfig.txt controls everything, but we have special custom-made map rotations config templates. These are set by !map_rotation blocks. Each block represents one map, one mode, and its specific settings.

Example block:

!map_rotation start
map_name Sharpton
game_mode ArmyBattlefield
round_time_minutes 2
faction_balancing false
allow_faction_switching true
allow_spectating true
minimum_players -1
maximum_players 11
time_hour 15
time_dynamic false
weather_preset calm
weather_dynamic false
load_mod 2531692643 # eLF’s AutoAdmin
!map_rotation end

• Anything outside !map_rotation blocks applies globally.
• Each !map_rotation block is one entry in your map cycle.

There are example rotation files available in /Server/example_map_rotations/ for different game modes and DLCs. The default templates have a functional map rotation for each game mode and map style so they can always be used to change the experience without any hassle.

📌 What maps are available?

Holdfast offers dozens of maps for different battle scenarios. Some popular examples include:

Army Front

• Al Kimar Pyramids: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Al Uddin Ruins: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Arendan River: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Aspern: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Aunby Valley: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Autumn Watch: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Avignon: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Black Forest: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Camp Salamanca: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Canyon: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Causeways: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Cross Hills: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Desert Ruins: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Dutch Canals: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Ernest Ridge: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Fort Christina: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Fort Darial: Army Siege
• Fort Pierre: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Fort Salettes: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Fort Schwarz: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Fort Winston: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Glacier: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Army Siege
• Heartmound: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Highlands: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Hudree Marsh: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• King George: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Lamarsh Fen: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Linburg: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Marquette: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Monte Pillerone Pass: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Port Nile: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Sacred Valley: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Sharpton: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Spanish Farm: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Vanoise Heights: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest

Frontlines WW1

• Berkton Green: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Countryside: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Fort Imraan: Army Siege, Invasion
• Foxhole: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Freurlund: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Heroes Landing: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Mansion: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Marre: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Sacrifice: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• St. Peter's: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Wasteland: Offensive, Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest

Plains - Linebattle

• Ancient Plains: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Desert Plains: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Desert Plains (Small): Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Grassy Plains 1–5: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Snowy Plains (Small): Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Snowy Plains 1–5: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest
• Tahir Desert: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest

Naval Warfront - Naval & Coastal

• Balamor Bay: Coastal Siege
• Caribbean: Naval Assault, Naval Battlefield
• Fort Imperial: Coastal Siege
• Harouti Islands: Naval Assault, Naval Battlefield
• Martello Tower: Naval Assault, Naval Battlefield, Coastal Siege
• Open Waters: Naval Assault, Naval Battlefield
• South Sea Castle: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Coastal Siege

Melee Arena

• Castle Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Fort Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Garrison Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Palisade Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Sacred Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Melee Arena
• Watchtower Arena: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest, Coastal Siege

Miscellaneous

• Custom Map: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Siege, Army Conquest
• Naval Custom Map: Naval Assault, Naval Battlefield
• Training Grounds: Army Assault, Army Battlefield, Army Deathmatch, Army Conquest

❌ Removed Maps: Some maps like Dutch Canals, Freurlund, and Marre have been removed from the official list.

⚔️ What game modes can I run?

Army (Land) Modes

• ArmyBattlefield: Classic battlefield — last team standing.
• ArmySiege: Attackers try to capture a fort or position.
• ArmyConquest: Control points to drain enemy tickets.
• ArmyDeathmatch: Team Deathmatch.
• ArmyAssault: Variant with aggressive capture mechanics.
• ArmyBattlefront: Frontlines & push mechanics.
• ArmyTrenchBattle: WW1-style trench warfare.

Naval & Coastal Modes

• NavalBattle: Ship vs. ship combat.
• CoastalSiege: Ships attack coastal fortifications.
• NavalAssault: Amphibious attacks with ships landing troops.

Special Modes

• Sandbox: Open, RP or building.
• Training: Drills & practice.
• Custom: Scripted scenarios or modded content.

Each map has a possible set of game modes compatible with it. It can be found on the official wiki if the map isn't on the map list here. 

Tip: The #AutoAdmin mod can also help by checking what game modes the map shows as possible rotations.

🧩 Can I add mods to my Holdfast server?

Yes! Mods are added through the modlist.txt:

• Global mods: Use mods_installed and mods_installed_server_only here, which go outside of map rotations.
• Map-specific mods: Create a new template with the corresponding map rotation config file (frontlines:rotation)Use load_mod, load_mod_client_only, or load_mod_server_only within a !map_rotation block.
   

PS5 or Xbox players can't join servers with mods.

Example

Outside map rotation:

mods_installed 2531692643 # AutoAdmin

Inside a map rotation:

load_mod 2531692643 # eLF’s AutoAdmin

✅ Always follow the mod creator’s instructions — some mods need to be installed on both client and server; others do not.

🔑 How do I set the Message of the Day (MOTD)?

In serverconfig.txt or Basic Settings, use:

server_intro_title Welcome to my Pingplayers Holdfast Server!
server_intro_body Enjoy your stay at Pingplayers — visit our website or DIscord for info.

🌐 How do I join my Holdfast server?

Players can connect via:

1. Direct Connect: Enter your server’s IP and port in-game.
2. Server Browser: Search for your server name in the public list.

✅ Ensure your server is set to “Public” in your Basic Settings if you want it to appear in the list.

🔑 How do I become an admin in Holdfast?

Holdfast has built-in in-game admin commands like some other titles. Admin commands are called remote console commands and admin permissions are given through the console (F1) by using the command rc login ADMINPASSWORD set in the Basic Settings or serverconfig.txt. 

There's also a popular  auto-admin mod, AutoAdmin, with an UI in-game.

🛠️ Where are my saves and backups?

Holdfast does not use persistent world saves like survival games. Your key data is your serverconfig.txt and map rotations.

✅ Back up your configuration files regularly:

• serverconfig.txt, map rotation templates and modlist.txt hold the entire server configuration.
• Any custom rotation templates and modlist.txt can be combined on a serverconfig.txt entirely.

📦 Can I migrate my server from another host?

Yes! Just copy your:

• serverconfig.txt (however, this will invalidate basic settings so if you want granular editing, you'll need to import settings from the serverconfig.txt in parts to each corresponding config template)
• Any custom map rotations to the map rotations template of your choice.
• Mod configuration lines into modlist.txt

Upload them via the Config Manager, then restart.

⚠️ Known issues

• Incorrect !map_rotation syntax can break your server startup.
• Mods require correct placement: global vs. map-specific.
• Restart the server for any changes to take effect.
• Use example rotation templates if unsure.