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To set a custom difficulty on a FREAKHOSTING Arma 3 server, edit 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.
A difficulty set for a mission in class Missions overrides forcedDifficulty. Set it to "Custom" there too, or remove it.

Example server profile

This example is close to Veteran with no third person view and no crosshair.

Difficulty options and values

How to set AI skill

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn off third person on my Arma 3 server?

Set thirdPersonView = 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 that forcedDifficulty 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. Set forcedDifficulty = "veteran"; in server.cfg. Recruit, Regular and Veteran don’t need the profile at all.

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