Movie Battles II Server Configuration: server.cfg and RCON Commands

You've got your Movie Battles II server running (if not, check the setup guide). Now it's time to make it yours. Server configuration and remote console (RCON) commands give you complete control over your server's behaviour, appearance, and player management.

Understanding server.cfg

The server.cfg file is your server's main configuration. It contains console variables (cvars) that define everything from your server's name to gameplay rules.

This file lives in your GameData folder and is executed when the server starts. Any console command can go in here.

Basic Server Identity

// Server name as it appears in the browser
seta sv_hostname "^1My ^7MBII ^2Server"

// Message of the day (shown when players connect)
seta g_motd "Welcome!\nRules: No laming, have fun"

// Server password (leave empty for public server)
seta g_password ""

// RCON password for remote administration
seta rconpassword "your_secure_password_here"

Tips:

Use ^ followed by a number for colours in server names (e.g., ^1 = red, ^2 = green, ^7 = white)
Use \\n for line breaks in MOTD
Choose a strong RCON password - it gives full server control

Network Settings

// Port your server runs on (default: 29070)
seta net_port 29070

// Maximum players allowed
seta sv_maxclients 32

// Maximum rate (bandwidth) per player
seta sv_maxRate 25000

Game Type and Mode

// Game type (7 = Siege, which MBII uses)
set g_gametype 7

// Time limit per round (minutes, 0 = unlimited)
seta timelimit 5

// Fraglimit (0 = unlimited, not typically used in MBII)
seta fraglimit 0

// Force powers (0 = off for MBII, classes control powers)
seta g_forcePowerDisable 0

// Friendly fire
seta g_friendlyFire 1

// Auto-join (1 = players auto-join a team on connect)
seta g_teamAutoJoin 0

Map Rotation

// Starting map
map mb2_dotf

// Simple rotation (cycles through these maps)
set d1 "map mb2_dotf; set nextmap vstr d2"
set d2 "map mb2_deathstar; set nextmap vstr d3"
set d3 "map mb2_cloudcity; set nextmap vstr d1"
vstr d1

For more sophisticated voting systems, see the RTVRTM guide.

Applying Configuration Changes

After editing server.cfg, you have two options:

Restart the server: Ensures all settings are fresh
Reload via RCON: /rcon exec server.cfg (faster, but some settings might require restart)

Troubleshooting server.cfg

Syntax errors: Missing quotes or semicolons will cause settings to be ignored
Changes not applying: Some cvars need seta (permanent) vs set (temporary)
Server won't start: Check for invalid map names or game type settings

What is RCON?

RCON (Remote Console) allows you to execute server commands remotely without direct access to the server machine. This is essential for managing your server while in-game or from anywhere in the world.

Setting Up RCON Access

First, set your RCON password in server.cfg:

seta rconpassword "Choose_A_Strong_Password123"

Important: Anyone with your RCON password has complete control over your server. Never share it publicly.

How to Send RCON Commands

Method 1: In-Game Console

Connect to your server in MBII
Open the console (usually ~ key, sometimes Shift + ~)
Authenticate: /rconpassword your_password
Send commands: /rcon <command>

// Example session
/rconpassword Choose_A_Strong_Password123
/rcon status
/rcon map mb2_cloudcity

Method 2: External RCON Tool

For better management, use a dedicated RCON tool like JAControl Desktop.

Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Clean interface for sending commands
Real-time server console output
No need to be in-game

Essential RCON Commands

Server Management

// View connected players and their IDs
/rcon status

// Change map
/rcon map mb2_dotf

// Restart current map
/rcon map_restart

// Reload server.cfg
/rcon exec server.cfg

// Shut down server (careful!)
/rcon quit

Player Management

// Kick a player (get ID from /rcon status)
/rcon clientkick <clientID>

// Ban a player's IP
/rcon banip <IP address>

// Ban by client ID
/rcon banid <clientID>

// Remove an IP ban
/rcon unbanip <IP address>

// Send a message to everyone
/rcon say "Server restart in 5 minutes"

// Send a private message to a player
/rcon tell <clientID> "Message here"

Cheat and Development Commands

Useful for testing, practice, or private servers. Requires cheat mode enabled.

// Enable cheats (use devmap instead of map)
/rcon devmap mb2_dotf

// Common cheat commands (only work when cheats are enabled):
/noclip              // Fly through walls
/god                 // Invincibility
/give all            // All weapons and items
/give ammo           // Refill ammunition
/notarget            // Enemies ignore you
/kill                // Suicide (respawn)

// Change your class mid-game (requires cheats)
/playermodel <classname>

// Set time scale (slow motion / fast forward)
/timescale 0.5       // Half speed
/timescale 2.0       // Double speed

Note: Cheat commands only work on servers started with devmap instead of map. This is typically only for private testing servers, as most players won't join servers with cheats enabled.

Advanced Admin Commands

// Force a player to spectator
/rcon forceteam <clientID> spectator

// Force a player to a team (Rebels/Imperials)
/rcon forceteam <clientID> red
/rcon forceteam <clientID> blue

// Change a server setting on-the-fly
/rcon set g_friendlyFire 0

// List all current server variables
/rcon cvarlist

// View server information
/rcon serverinfo

Common Configuration Scenarios

Running a Duel Server

seta sv_hostname "^1Duel ^7Server"
seta g_gametype 3        // Duel mode
seta fraglimit 10
seta duel_fraglimit 10
seta g_forcePowerDisable 0
seta g_weaponDisable 0
map mb2_duel_room

Running a Private Server for Friends

seta sv_hostname "Friends Only"
seta g_password "friendsonly123"
seta sv_maxclients 8
seta g_friendlyFire 0    // More forgiving
map mb2_dotf

Running a Competitive Public Server

seta sv_hostname "^2Competitive ^7MBII"
seta sv_maxclients 32
seta g_friendlyFire 1
seta timelimit 5
seta g_teamAutoJoin 0    // Players choose teams
seta g_teamForceBalance 1
map mb2_dotf

Troubleshooting Common Issues

RCON Commands Not Working

1. Verify you authenticated with correct password
2. Check rconpassword is set in server.cfg
3. Ensure you're prefixing commands with /rcon
4. Restart server if you just set the password

Server Settings Reverting

1. Use seta instead of set for permanent changes
2. Save changes to server.cfg file
3. Some settings require server restart to persist

Map Changes Failing

1. Verify map name is correct (case sensitive)
2. Ensure map files exist in MBII folder
3. Check console for specific error messages

Next Steps

You now have a configured MBII server with remote management capabilities. Continue enhancing your server:

Set up RTVRTM map voting - Let players choose maps democratically
Explore advanced features - Discord integration, anti-cheat, automated moderation
Review the setup guide - If you haven't installed your server yet

Managed Configuration

Ilyssa Hosting servers come pre-configured with sensible defaults and include advanced RCON commands for player management, impostor detection, and automated moderation. Plus Discord integration for remote server monitoring.

View MBII Hosting Plans

Need help with server configuration? We're here to assist.

MBII Server Configuration and RCON Commands