📌 [GUIDE] Setting Up a Clean CS 1.6 Server with AMX Mod X, Metamod & dproto (Steam 2025)

🛠️ STEP 1: Install HLDS (Half-Life Dedicated Server)
1. Open Steam → Library → Tools
2. Search for “Half-Life Dedicated Server”
3. Install to default path:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life
4. Launch hlds.exe and configure:
- Game: Counter-Strike
- Map: de_dust2
- Max players: 10–32
- UDP Port: 27015
- RCON Password: set one
5. Click “Start Server” once configured

✅ This creates the cstrike folder and base server files.

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🔧 STEP 2: Install Metamod
1. Download Metamod from: https://www.metamod.org
2. Create folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\addons\metamod\dlls
3. Place metamod.dll inside that folder
4. Edit file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\liblist.gam
5. Replace its contents with:
game "Counter-Strike"
url_info "www.counter-strike.net"
version "1.5"
dll "addons\metamod\dlls\metamod.dll"

✅ Metamod is now active and will load plugins.

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🧩 STEP 3: Install AMX Mod X
1. Download AMX Mod X base package: https://www.amxmodx.org/downloads.php
2. Extract to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\addons\amxmodx
3. Edit file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\addons\metamod\plugins.ini
4. Add this line:
addons/amxmodx/dlls/amxmodx_mm.dll
5. Launch server and verify AMX Mod X loads via console

✅ AMX Mod X provides scripting and plugin support.

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🌐 STEP 4: Install dproto (for Non-Steam Client Support)
1. Download dproto from trusted sources (e.g., GitHub mirrors or community archives)
2. Create folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\addons\dproto\dlls
3. Place dproto.dll inside that folder
4. Edit file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\addons\metamod\plugins.ini
5. Add this line above AMX Mod X:
addons/dproto/dlls/dproto.dll
6. Create config file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\dproto.cfg
7. Example config:
ServerInfoAnswerType = 2
EnableHLTV = 0
HLTVExceptIP = 127.0.0.1
FakeClientDLL = 1
ClientVersionReject = 47

✅ dproto allows both Steam and Non-Steam clients to connect (use responsibly).

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📦 STEP 5: Install Classic Plugins
1. Recommended plugins (included in AMX Mod X):
- admin.amxx
- adminchat.amxx
- mapchooser.amxx
- nextmap.amxx
- timeleft.amxx
2. Place .amxx files into:
addons/amxmodx/plugins/
3. Edit plugins.ini and add plugin names

✅ These plugins restore classic CS 1.6 server behavior.

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🧠 STEP 6: Configure Server Settings
Edit file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life\cstrike\server.cfg
Add:
hostname "CS 1.6 Competitive Server"
rcon_password "your_rcon_password"

sv_lan 0
sv_cheats 0
sv_maxrate 100000
sv_minrate 30000
sv_maxupdaterate 100
sv_minupdaterate 60
sv_timeout 65

mp_autokick 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_buytime 0.25
mp_startmoney 800
mp_roundtime 3
mp_c4timer 35
mp_freezetime 3
mp_friendlyfire 1
mp_timelimit 35
mp_maxrounds 0
mp_winlimit 0
mp_fraglimit 0

decalfrequency 60
edgefriction 2
host_framerate 0
fps_max 0

log on
sv_logbans 1
sv_logecho 1
sv_logfile 1
sv_log_onefile 0

sv_unlag 1
sv_unlagpush 0
sv_unlagsamples 1

sv_clienttrace 3
sv_allowupload 1
sv_allowdownload 1

sv_voiceenable 0
sv_alltalk 0

sv_region 3
sv_contact "admin@email.com"

exec banned.cfg
exec listip.cfg
mapchangecfgfile server.cfg

✅ These are standard competitive settings.

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🧪 STEP 7: Test Your Server
- Launch HLDS
- Connect via CS 1.6 client: connect your.ip.address:27015
- Use RCON to test:
rcon_password your_rcon_password
rcon amx_plugins

✅ If plugins are listed, everything works.

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🎯 Summary:
You now have a clean CS 1.6 server with:
- Metamod
- AMX Mod X
- dproto
- Classic gameplay plugins

Perfect for LAN, competitive play, or controlled public hosting.

💬 Questions or plugin suggestions? Drop them below 👇