Team Fortress 2 Server Hosting

Team Fortress 2 on Game Lords

Team Fortress 2 is Valve’s iconic team-based FPS featuring unique classes and objective-based gameplay. Our TF2 servers support custom maps, SourceMod plugins, and various game modes for endless entertainment.

Server Setup

Initial Configuration

1. Select “Team Fortress 2” from game list
2. Choose server type:
   • Valve Official: Standard TF2 gameplay
   • Community: Custom maps and modifications
   • Trade/Idle: Trading and achievement servers
   • MvM (Mann vs Machine): Co-op against robots
3. Configure basic settings:
   • Server Name: Displayed in server browser
   • Map: Starting map (cp_dustbowl, pl_badwater, etc.)
   • Max Players: 24-32 for most game modes
   • Password: Optional for private servers

Recommended Specifications

Server Type	Players	RAM	CPU	Storage
Standard TF2	24	2GB	2 cores	15GB
Modded/Custom	32	4GB	4 cores	25GB
Trade/Idle	32	2GB	2 cores	20GB
MvM Co-op	6-32	3GB	3 cores	30GB

Server Configuration

server.cfg

Essential TF2 server configuration:

// Server Information
hostname "My TF2 Server"
sv_contact "admin@example.com"
sv_password ""
sv_region 255

// Network Settings
sv_lan 0
rate 60000
sv_maxrate 60000
sv_minrate 5000
sv_maxcmdrate 66
sv_mincmdrate 10
sv_maxupdaterate 66
sv_minupdaterate 10

// Game Settings
mp_teamplay 1
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_teams_unbalance_limit 2
mp_scrambleteams_auto 1
mp_scrambleteams_auto_windifference 2

// Round and Time Settings
mp_timelimit 30
mp_winlimit 0
mp_maxrounds 0
mp_stalemate_timelimit 240

// Respawn Settings
mp_respawnwavetime 10.0
mp_disable_respawn_times 0

// Class Limits (optional)
tf_tournament_classlimit_scout 3
tf_tournament_classlimit_sniper 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_soldier 3
tf_tournament_classlimit_demoman 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_medic 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_heavy 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_pyro 3
tf_tournament_classlimit_spy 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_engineer 2

// Admin Settings
rcon_password "your_rcon_password"
sv_rcon_banpenalty 0
sv_rcon_maxfailures 10

// Logging
log on
sv_logbans 1
sv_logecho 1
sv_logfile 1
sv_log_onefile 0

Game Mode Specific Settings

Payload Configuration

// Payload maps (pl_)
mp_respawnwavetime 10.0
tf_avoidteammates_pushaway 0
tf_damage_disablespread 1
tf_use_fixed_weaponspreads 1
tf_weapon_criticals 1

Control Point Settings

// Control Point maps (cp_)
mp_respawnwavetime 10.0
tf_flag_caps_per_round 5
mp_maxrounds 0
mp_winlimit 0

King of the Hill

// KOTH maps (koth_)
mp_respawnwavetime 10.0
tf_flag_caps_per_round 3
mp_winlimit 3

Arena Mode

// Arena maps (arena_)
tf_arena_use_queue 1
tf_arena_max_streak 3
mp_respawnwavetime 0
tf_arena_first_blood 1

SourceMod and MetaMod

Installation

SourceMod comes pre-installed on Game Lords TF2 servers:

1. MetaMod:Source: Plugin framework
2. SourceMod: Admin and plugin system
3. TF2 Extensions: Game-specific functionality

Essential TF2 Plugins

Administration

• Admin File Reader: Manage admin permissions
• Basic Commands: Core admin functionality
• Basic Chat: Chat management and colors
• Anti-Flood: Prevent chat and voice spam

Gameplay Enhancement

• TF2Items: Modify weapon attributes
• Friendly Fire Plugin: Custom FF rules
• Class Restrictions: Limit certain classes
• Map Configs: Per-map configuration files

Statistics and Rankings

• HLstatsX: Comprehensive player statistics
• RankMe: Simple ranking system
• Achievement Manager: Custom achievements
• Player Statistics: Track individual performance

Fun and Social

• TF2 Jukebox: Music system for players
• Hat Plugins: Cosmetic item management
• Vote Menu: Player-initiated votes
• AFK Manager: Handle idle players

Plugin Installation

1. Upload plugin files to “addons/sourcemod/plugins/”
2. Place data files in “addons/sourcemod/data/”
3. Add configuration files to “addons/sourcemod/configs/”
4. Restart server or reload plugins with sm plugins reload

Admin Commands

Setting Up Admins

Edit “addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini”:

"STEAM_0:1:12345678"    "99:z"    // Full admin access
"STEAM_0:1:87654321"    "bc:z"    // Kick/ban permissions

Basic Admin Commands

sm_kick <player> [reason]          # Kick player from server
sm_ban <player> <minutes> [reason] # Ban player
sm_unban <steamid>                 # Remove ban
sm_gag <player> [minutes]          # Prevent text chat
sm_mute <player> [minutes]         # Prevent voice chat
sm_silence <player> [minutes]      # Both gag and mute

Server Management

sm_map <mapname>                   # Change map
sm_cvar <cvar> [value]            # Change server setting
sm_rcon <command>                  # Execute console command
sm_reloadadmins                    # Reload admin permissions
changelevel <mapname>              # Change map (console)

TF2 Specific Commands

sm_slay <player>                   # Kill player
sm_slap <player> [damage]          # Slap player
sm_noclip <player>                 # Toggle noclip
sm_god <player>                    # Toggle godmode
sm_regen <player>                  # Regenerate player health/ammo
sm_addcond <player> <condition>    # Add TF2 condition (uber, kritz, etc.)

Map Management

Official Maps

TF2 includes many official maps:

Payload Maps

• pl_badwater: Classic payload map
• pl_upward: Mountain-themed payload
• pl_thundermountain: Multi-stage payload
• pl_goldrush: Original 3-stage payload

Control Point Maps

• cp_dustbowl: Attack/defend classic
• cp_granary: 5-point control map
• cp_badlands: Competitive favorite
• cp_steel: Unique domination-style map

King of the Hill

• koth_harvest: Halloween-themed KOTH
• koth_viaduct: Alpine setting
• koth_nucleus: Symmetrical indoor map

Capture the Flag

• ctf_2fort: Iconic TF2 map
• ctf_turbine: Indoor CTF map
• ctf_doublecross: Bridge-themed CTF

Custom Maps

Add community maps:

1. Download maps from TF2Maps.net or GameBanana
2. Upload to maps folder: Place .bsp files in “tf/maps/”
3. Add to rotation: Include in mapcycle.txt
4. FastDL setup: Provide downloads for clients

Map Rotation

Configure in “tf/cfg/mapcycle.txt”:

cp_badlands
cp_granary
cp_well
pl_badwater
pl_upward
koth_viaduct
ctf_2fort

Mann vs Machine (MvM)

MvM Server Setup

Configure for co-op gameplay:

// MvM specific settings
tf_mvm_min_players_to_start 1
tf_mvm_respec_enabled 1
tf_mvm_respec_limit 0
tf_mm_servermode 2

// Population files
tf_mvm_popfile mvm_decoy_advanced.pop

Popular MvM Maps

• mvm_decoy: Beginner-friendly
• mvm_mannworks: Industrial setting
• mvm_coaltown: Mining town theme
• mvm_bigrock: Large outdoor map

Custom MvM Content

• Custom Population Files: Modify robot waves
• Custom Maps: Community-created MvM maps
• Enhanced Plugins: Advanced MvM features
• Economy Plugins: Custom upgrade systems

Competitive Configuration

6v6 Competitive

Standard competitive TF2 format:

mp_tournament 1
mp_tournament_readymode 1
mp_tournament_readymode_min 12
mp_tournament_readymode_team_size 6

// Class limits for 6v6
tf_tournament_classlimit_scout 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_soldier 2
tf_tournament_classlimit_pyro 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_demoman 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_heavy 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_engineer 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_medic 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_sniper 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_spy 1

// Weapon restrictions
tf_tournament_hide_domination_icons 1
tf_weapon_criticals 0
tf_use_fixed_weaponspreads 1
tf_damage_disablespread 1

Highlander (9v9)

mp_tournament 1
mp_tournament_readymode 1
mp_tournament_readymode_min 18
mp_tournament_readymode_team_size 9

// One of each class
tf_tournament_classlimit_scout 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_soldier 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_pyro 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_demoman 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_heavy 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_engineer 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_medic 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_sniper 1
tf_tournament_classlimit_spy 1

Performance Optimization

Server Performance

// FPS settings
fps_max 300

// Network optimization
rate 100000
sv_maxrate 100000
sv_minrate 80000

// CPU optimization
host_thread_mode 0
sv_parallel_sendsound 1

// Physics settings
phys_pushscale 1
phys_timescale 1

TF2 Specific Optimizations

// Reduce visual effects for performance
tf_damage_disablespread 1
tf_use_fixed_weaponspreads 1
tf_avoidteammates_pushaway 0

// Optimize respawn waves
mp_respawnwavetime 10.0
mp_disable_respawn_times 0

// Entity limits
tf_max_voice_speak_delay 1.5
sv_maxusrcmdprocessticks 24

Custom Content and Modifications

TF2Items Plugin

Modify weapon attributes:

// Example TF2Items configuration
"weapons"
{
    "tf_weapon_scattergun"
    {
        "attributes"
        {
            "damage bonus"      "1.25"
            "fire rate bonus"   "0.8"
        }
    }
}

Custom Weapons

Add community weapons:

1. Install TF2Items or similar plugin
2. Configure weapon attributes
3. Test balance thoroughly
4. Monitor player feedback

Cosmetic Modifications

• Custom HUDs: Client-side interface changes
• Sound Modifications: Replace game sounds
• Particle Effects: Custom visual effects
• Model Replacements: Alternative character models

Events and Special Modes

Halloween Events

Enable Halloween content:

tf_forced_holiday 2               # Enable Halloween mode
tf_halloween_allow_truce_during_boss_event 0

Randomizer Mode

Popular community modification:

• Weapon Randomizer: Random weapons each spawn
• Class Randomizer: Random class assignments
• Attribute Randomizer: Random weapon modifications

Trading Servers

Configure for item trading:

mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0
tf_damage_disablespread 1
tf_weapon_criticals 0
mp_respawnwavetime 0.1

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Players Can’t Connect

• Steam authentication: Check Steam servers status
• Version mismatch: Verify server is updated
• Password protection: Ensure correct password
• Firewall issues: Check port 27015 accessibility

Performance Problems

• High CPU usage: Reduce max players or optimize plugins
• Memory leaks: Regular map restarts help
• Network lag: Check server bandwidth and location
• Plugin conflicts: Disable problematic plugins

Map Loading Issues

• Missing maps: Ensure all maps are present
• FastDL problems: Verify download server configuration
• Corrupted files: Re-download and verify map files
• Client cache: Players may need to clear TF2 cache

Debug Commands

developer 1                       # Enable developer console
net_graph 3                       # Show network statistics
tf_show_fps 1                     # Display server FPS
sv_cheats 1                       # Enable cheat commands (testing only)

Community Features

Server Communities

Build an active community:

• Regular events: Scheduled game nights
• Tournaments: Organized competitive play
• Social features: Chat integration, forums
• VIP systems: Rewards for loyal players

Integration Options

• Discord bots: Server status and notifications
• Web statistics: Player stats websites
• Donation systems: Support server costs
• Steam group: Official community presence

Getting Help

TF2 Resources

• TeamFortress.tv: Competitive TF2 community
• Reddit: r/tf2 and r/truetf2
• Steam Community: Official TF2 guides and discussions
• AlliedModders: SourceMod plugin development
• TF2Maps.net: Custom map community

Game Lords Support

Specialized TF2 support includes:

• SourceMod plugin configuration
• Competitive server setup
• Custom content installation
• Performance optimization

When seeking help, provide:

• Server configuration files
• Plugin list and versions
• Console logs with errors
• Description of the issue

Enjoy your Team Fortress 2 server!