How to Make a CS2 Deathmatch Server (Configs, Bots, Maps)

To make a CS2 deathmatch server, start the dedicated server with +game_type 1 +game_mode 2 (or +game_alias deathmatch). Valve's built in gamemode_deathmatch.cfg then sets free for all deathmatch with respawns, buy anywhere and 10 bots. Put your own changes, like time limit, headshot only or team deathmatch, in game/csgo/cfg/gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg, and load aim or DM maps from the Workshop with host_workshop_map.

How do I switch a CS2 server to deathmatch?

CS2 picks its mode from two values, game type and game mode:

Self hosting, put them on the launch line. A typical deathmatch start line looks like this:

cs2 -dedicated -port 27015 -maxplayers 16 +game_type 1 +game_mode 2 +map de_mirage +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT

The server needs a Game Server Login Token (GSLT) for app 730 to be reachable over the internet. If you see token errors, our CS2 GSLT error guide has the fixes. To change mode on a running server, set game_type 1 and game_mode 2 in the console, then changelevel to a map so the mode loads.

What does Valve's default deathmatch config do?

When the mode loads, CS2 runs gamemode_deathmatch.cfg from game/csgo/cfg. You can read the current file in the SteamDatabase CS2 game tracking repo. The important defaults:

Do not edit gamemode_deathmatch.cfg itself. Game updates replace it, and your changes vanish.

Where do I put custom deathmatch settings?

Create gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg in the same folder, game/csgo/cfg/. CS2 runs it after Valve's mode config on every map load, so anything you put there wins and survives updates. Settings in server.cfg can be overwritten by the mode config, so mode rules belong in the _server file.

A good starting point for a friend or community DM server:

// game/csgo/cfg/gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg
mp_timelimit 10                // minutes per map
mp_roundtime 10                // match the time limit
mp_respawn_immunitytime 3      // shorter spawn protection
mp_randomspawn 1
mp_teammates_are_enemies 1     // free for all
mp_free_armor 2
bot_quota 6
bot_quota_mode fill            // bots fill to 6, leave as humans join
bot_difficulty 2
sv_allow_votes 0
mp_autokick 0
hostname "Friday Night DM"

Restart the map with changelevel after saving so it runs. On our servers, edit the file in the Files tab and restart from the panel.

How do I make team deathmatch, headshot only or pistol DM?

Each variant is a few lines in the same _server.cfg:

Team deathmatch (Ts against CTs, no friendly kills):

mp_teammates_are_enemies 0
mp_friendlyfire 0

Headshot only:

mp_damage_headshot_only 1

Pistols only (no primary weapons for sale, everyone spawns with the default pistol):

mp_ct_default_primary ""
mp_t_default_primary ""
mp_buy_anywhere 0
mp_buytime 0

Keep mp_buy_anywhere 0 here, otherwise players can still buy rifles from the buy menu. For random or fixed loadouts per round, the clean way is a CounterStrikeSharp deathmatch plugin, since vanilla cvars cannot enforce a weapon list.

Endless deathmatch (no map change, for a warm up server):

mp_timelimit 0
mp_roundtime 60
mp_ignore_round_win_conditions 1

mp_roundtime tops out at 60 minutes. With round win conditions ignored, the round just keeps going.

How do I set up bots on a CS2 deathmatch server?

Bots are the easiest way to keep a DM server busy when only two or three friends are on. The cvars that matter:

Set bot_quota 0 before bot_kick, or the server adds them straight back. For pure human DM, put bot_quota 0 in the config. More bot setups are in how to play CS2 with friends and bots.

How do I add Workshop deathmatch and aim maps?

Workshop maps load by ID. Copy the number after ?id= in the map's Workshop URL and run:

host_workshop_map 1234567890

The server downloads the map, and players download it when they connect. For a rotation, add your DM and aim maps to a Steam Workshop collection and start the server with +host_workshop_collection <collection id>. When mp_timelimit runs out, the server moves to the next map. Deathmatch works on the standard maps too, and Mirage, Dust2 and Inferno are popular choices because they spread players out. Collections and common errors are covered in how to play CS2 Workshop maps on a server.

How many players and how much RAM for CS2 deathmatch?

DM is busier than a 5v5: more players, constant respawns and gunfire every tick. CS2 runs each tick on one main thread, so CPU clock speed matters more than RAM. As a rough guide, 4 GB is plenty for a 10 player DM, 6 GB suits 16 players with a plugin or two, and 8 GB gives a full 32 player lobby with plugins room to breathe.

FAQ

What is the game mode for deathmatch in CS2?

Game type 1 with game mode 2. You can also use +game_alias deathmatch on the launch line.

Why do my deathmatch settings reset on map change?

The mode config runs on every map load and overwrites values set in the console or server.cfg. Put them in gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg, which runs after it.

Is CS2 deathmatch free for all by default?

Yes. Valve's deathmatch config sets mp_teammates_are_enemies 1. Set it to 0 for team deathmatch.

How do I remove bots from a CS2 deathmatch server?

Run bot_quota 0 and then bot_kick, and put bot_quota 0 in your deathmatch config so they do not come back on the next map.

Can I run a CS2 deathmatch server for free?

Yes, the dedicated server is free through SteamCMD, but it needs a PC that stays on and port 27015 forwarded. See how to host a CS2 server for free.

The easy option

On our CS2 server hosting, deathmatch is a setting: choose game type 1 and game mode 2 in the panel and restart. The GSLT is created for you, and you can drop your gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg in through the file manager or SFTP. Plans start at 9.99 USD a month for 10 slots, with DDoS protection and 24/7 support from real people.