# How to Change the Game Mode on Your Holdfast: Nations At War Server (/docs/holdfast/change-game-mode)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Holdfast: Nations At War offers several game modes that provide very different gameplay experiences — from large-scale land battles to naval engagements. You can change the active game mode through the config file or with admin commands in-game.

Available Game Modes [#available-game-modes]

| Value | Game Mode             | Description                                                                                                                                                    |
| ----- | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `0`   | **Army Battlefield**  | Large-scale land battle. Two armies fight to capture and hold objectives across the map. The most popular mode for line battles and public servers.            |
| `1`   | **Army Deathmatch**   | Free-for-all or team deathmatch on land. Players fight for kills with no objectives — pure combat. Faster-paced than Battlefield.                              |
| `2`   | **Army Siege**        | One team defends a fortified position while the other attacks. Attackers must capture objectives within a time limit. Great for asymmetric gameplay.           |
| `3`   | **Naval Battlefield** | Ship-to-ship combat on the open sea. Players crew warships, man cannons, and attempt to sink enemy vessels. A completely different experience from land modes. |

Changing Game Mode via Config [#changing-game-mode-via-config]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop your Holdfast server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the config file [#2-open-the-config-file]

    In the sidebar, go to `Files` and open `serverconfig_default.cfg` in the server root.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the game mode [#3-set-the-game-mode]

    Find the `game_mode` setting and change it to your desired mode:

    ```
    game_mode 0
    ```

    Use the values from the table above (0-3).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#4-save-and-restart]

    Click **Save** and start your server.
  </div>
</div>

Changing Game Mode In-Game [#changing-game-mode-in-game]

If you have [admin access](/docs/holdfast/adding-admins), you can switch game modes without restarting:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open chat [#1-open-chat]

    Press **T** or **Y** to open the chat.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Run the command [#2-run-the-command]

    ```
    /admin changegamemode 2
    ```

    The server will switch to the specified game mode on the next round or map change.
  </div>
</div>

Game Mode Details [#game-mode-details]

Army Battlefield [#army-battlefield]

Army Battlefield is the core Holdfast experience and the most popular mode:

* Two teams fight over capture points on the map
* Points are captured by having more team members in the zone than the enemy
* Teams earn points for holding objectives and getting kills
* The team with the most points at the end of the round, or the first to reach the score limit, wins
* Supports all infantry classes: Line Infantry, Light Infantry, Officer, Musician, Surgeon, Cavalry, Sapper, and more

**Best for:** Public servers, line battles, regiment events, and large-scale organized play.

Army Deathmatch [#army-deathmatch]

A simpler mode focused purely on combat:

* No objectives — the goal is to get kills
* Individual or team-based scoring depending on configuration
* Faster respawns and more chaotic gameplay
* Good for warming up or casual play

**Best for:** Small servers, casual sessions, and combat practice.

Army Siege [#army-siege]

An asymmetric mode with attackers and defenders:

* Defenders start in a fortified position (castle, fort, or town)
* Attackers must capture a series of objectives within the time limit
* If attackers capture all objectives, they win — if time runs out, defenders win
* Sappers and cannons play a crucial role for the attacking team
* Teams switch sides between rounds

**Best for:** Tactical gameplay, regiment events, and players who enjoy asymmetric combat.

Naval Battlefield [#naval-battlefield]

Ship-based combat on the open seas:

* Teams crew warships and engage in naval combat
* Players can man cannons, steer the ship, repair damage, and board enemy vessels
* Ships have multiple deck levels and require teamwork to operate effectively
* Includes ship types from small brigs to large ships of the line
* Completely different from land-based modes — requires different tactics and coordination

**Best for:** Players who want a change from land combat, naval enthusiasts, and organized crew events.

Round Settings [#round-settings]

Regardless of game mode, you can adjust round behavior in the config:

| Setting              | Description                                | Default |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------- |
| `round_time_minutes` | Duration of each round in minutes          | `15`    |
| `auto_balance_teams` | Automatically balance teams between rounds | `true`  |
| `friendly_fire`      | Whether players can damage teammates       | `false` |
| `allow_spectators`   | Allow players to watch without playing     | `true`  |

> 💡 **Tip:** For organized line battle events, set `round_time_minutes` to `20` or `25` to give both sides enough time for proper formations and engagements. For casual public servers, `10`-`15` minutes keeps rounds moving at a good pace.

Choosing the Right Game Mode [#choosing-the-right-game-mode]

| Audience           | Recommended Mode      | Notes                                    |
| ------------------ | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Public casual play | Army Battlefield (0)  | Most popular, easy to understand         |
| Line battle events | Army Battlefield (0)  | The standard for organized regiment play |
| Quick sessions     | Army Deathmatch (1)   | Fast-paced, no objectives                |
| Tactical players   | Army Siege (2)        | Requires strategy and coordination       |
| Variety seekers    | Naval Battlefield (3) | Unique experience unlike other modes     |

> 📝 **Note:** Some maps are designed for specific game modes. Make sure the maps in your rotation are compatible with your selected game mode. Using a land map in Naval Battlefield mode, for example, won't work correctly.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).