class CustomDifficulty in the server profile server.Arma3Profile (in .local/share/Arma 3 - Other Profiles/server/), then set forcedDifficulty = "Custom"; in server.cfg and restart. AI skill uses aiLevelPreset (0 Low, 1 Normal, 2 High, 3 Custom) and, for Custom, skillAI and precisionAI from 0 to 1.
Before you start
- Start the server once. Arma 3 creates the server profile on the first start. The profile name is
server, because the server starts with-name=server. - Make a backup or note your current settings.
How to set a custom difficulty
1
Stop the server
Stop the server before you edit the profile.
2
Open the server profile
Click Files and open
.local, then share, then Arma 3 - Other Profiles, then server. Open server.Arma3Profile.3
Edit CustomDifficulty
Change the values inside
class CustomDifficulty and class CustomAILevel (see the example below). If the classes are missing, add them. Click Save Content.4
Force the Custom preset
Open
server.cfg and change forcedDifficulty = "regular"; to forcedDifficulty = "Custom";. Click Save Content.5
Start the server
Start the server and join. The difficulty shows as Custom.
difficulty set for a mission in class Missions overrides forcedDifficulty. Set it to "Custom" there too, or remove it.
Example server profile
Difficulty options and values
How to set AI skill
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn off third person on my Arma 3 server?
SetthirdPersonView = 0; in CustomDifficulty, or 2 to allow it only in vehicles, and force "Custom". The built-in Veteran preset also has third person off: set forcedDifficulty = "veteran";.
Why did my difficulty changes not apply?
Check thatforcedDifficulty is "Custom", that the mission entry in class Missions doesn’t set another difficulty, and that you edited the profile while the server was stopped and restarted afterwards.
Can I just use Veteran instead?
Yes. SetforcedDifficulty = "veteran"; in server.cfg. Recruit, Regular and Veteran don’t need the profile at all.
Related guides
Arma 3 server guide
Every Arma 3 page in one place.
server.cfg explained
forcedDifficulty and other lines.
Add missions
Difficulty per mission.
Admin commands
#mission with a difficulty, #restart.
File Manager
Open hidden folders and edit files.
Checked against the official Bohemia Interactive difficulty settings and server profile pages on 31 October 2026; file locations checked on our Game Panel (Arma 3 dedicated server 2.22). Settings may change with game updates.
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Last Updated: October 2026