How to Change the Game Mode on Your Holdfast: Nations At War Server
Learn how to switch between game modes on your Holdfast: Nations At War server, including Army Battlefield, Army Siege, and Naval Battlefield.
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
| 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
Open the XGamingServer panel
Log in to the XGamingServer panel and stop your Holdfast server.
Open the config file
In the sidebar, go to Files and open serverconfig_default.cfg in the server root.
Set the game mode
Find the game_mode setting and change it to your desired mode:
game_mode 0Use the values from the table above (0-3).
Save and restart
Click Save and start your server.
Changing Game Mode In-Game
If you have admin access, you can switch game modes without restarting:
Open chat
Press T or Y to open the chat.
Run the command
/admin changegamemode 2The server will switch to the specified game mode on the next round or map change.
Game Mode Details
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
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
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
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
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_minutesto20or25to give both sides enough time for proper formations and engagements. For casual public servers,10-15minutes keeps rounds moving at a good pace.
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.
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