As in most Valve games, the console can be used to quickly change settings both on the client and the server.
Alien Swarm shares commands with other of Valve's Source Engine games, such as "sv_cheats", "map", etc. All of the Alien Swarm specific commands use the prefix "asw_".
A full list of console commands common to all Source Engine games can be found here: Console Command List.
Getting Started[]
To enable the console, navigate to the Options -> Keyboard/Mouse menu and check the option labeled "Enable developer console". The keybind to open the console can be changed in this same menu. By default it is bound to tilde (~).
To automatically apply commands whenever the game is started, create an autoexec.cfg file in:
<INSTALLPATH>\Steam\SteamApps\common\alien swarm\swarm\cfg\
However, autoexec.cfg won't work with certain commands that reset everytime a new map is loaded, such as:
mat_disable_bloom 1 r_shadows 0
To have the aforementioned commands work, edit newmapsettings.cfg, which is located in the same folder, instead.
To edit the .cfg file, open the file in a word processing application, such as notepad, and place within any console commands that are to be automatically executed. Save the file and restart Alien Swarm for any changes to take effect.
Client-side Commands[]
Client-side commands will take effect in any game the player joins or hosts. These commands only affect the person whose client they are used on. None of these commands require "sv_cheats" to be enabled.
Performance[]
Disable the film grain effect, which may improve performance on some machines.
mat_grain_enable 0
Disable the third person popup window present while the Adrenaline slow motion effect is running.
asw_spinning_stim_cam 0
Remove the camera shake on melee damage.
asw_camera_shake 0
Customization[]
Turn off the auto-reload feature so that the player must initiate the reload process manually. This can make fast reloading easier, at the cost of a higher chance of being caught with no shot ready.
asw_auto_reload 0
Display a fast-reload bar floating under the marine when reloading.
asw_fast_reload_under_marine 1
Always display other marines health bars.
asw_marine_labels_cursor_maxdist 550
Change the color of light emitted by the Flares. The three following commands correspond respectively to the amount red, blue, and green light emitted.
asw_flare_r # (Replace # with any value 0–255.) asw_flare_b # (Replace # with any value 0–255.) asw_flare_g # (Replace # with any value 0–255.)
Open a menu that will allow the player to chose custom music to be played during Adrenaline slow motion sequences.
asw_pick_stim_music
Emotes[]
Bind a key to display an emote icon over the marine's head. With the exception of the "out of ammo" and "anime smile" emotes, all of these can normally be accessed through the radial communications menu.
bind <key> "cl_emote #" Replace # with one of the following: 0 - Medic! 1 - Out of ammo 2 - Smile 3 - Hold position 4 - Follow me 5 - Be careful 6 - Anime smile 7 - Ready?
Voice Chatter[]
Enable additional automatic conversation between marines.
asw_realistic_death_chatter 1 asw_hear_from_marine 1
Bind a key to a specific voice sample. Some of the following commands cycle through or produce a random voice sample from a preset list of voice samples each time they are activated.
bind <key> "cl_chatter #" Replace # with one of the following: -1 - miscChat1 0 - acknowledge1 1 - miscChat2 2 - acknowledge2 3 - miscChat3 4 - friendlyFire1 5 - incoming1 6 - moveOut1 7 - holdPosition1 8 - requestAmmo1 9 - noAmmo1 10 - requestMedic1 11 - reloading1 12 - sentryReady1 13 - announceAmmo1 14 - announceMedkit1 15 - thanks1 16 - what1 17 - callSarge1 (Cannot be said by Sarge.) 18 - callJaeger1 (Cannot be said by Jaeger.) 19 - callWildcat1 (Cannot be said by Wildcat.) 20 - callWolfe1 (Cannot be said by Wolfe.) 21 - callFaith1 (Cannot be said by Faith.) 22 - callBastille1 (Cannot be said by Bastille.) 23 - callCrash1 (Cannot be said by Crash.) 24 - callFlynn1 25 - callVegas1 (Cannot be said by Vegas.) 26 - announceSupplies1 27 - announceAmmoSupplies1 28 - terminalLocked1 (Cannot be said by Techs.) 29 - requestTechCrash1 (Cannot be said by Crash.) 30 - requestTechFlynn1 31 - requsetTechVegas1 (Cannot be said by Vegas.) 32 - holdingPosition1 33 - northCovered1 34 - southCovered1 35 - eastCovered1 36 - westCovered1 37 - front1 38 - rear1 39 - requestWeld1 40 - requestUnweld1 41 - requestShootDoor1 42 - announceUnweld1 43 - announceWeld1 44 - announceBiomass 45 - objectiveComplete1 46 - warn1 47 - warnShieldbug1 48 - shootBehind1 49 - warnParasite1 50 - requestParasite1 51 - warnEggs1 52 - warnGrenade1 (Cannot be said by Wildcat.) 53 - requestHostile1 54 - tauntSwarm1 55 - doorBreached1 56 - marineDown1 57 - scream1 58 - scream2 59 - scream3 60 - screamFire1 61 - goodJob1 (Cannot be said by Faith, Jaeger, or Wolfe.) 62 - activateStims1 63 - hurry1 (Can only be said by Sarge, Vegas, and Wildcat.) 64 - goodKillJaeger1 (Can only be said by Sarge.) 65 - goodKillConrad1 (Can only be said by Jaeger.) 66 - goodShotWildcat1 (Can only be said by Wolfe.) 67 - niceShotWolfe1 (Can only be said by Wildcat.) 68 - heroCrash1 (Can only be said by Wildcat.) 69 - heal1 (Can only be said by Medics.) 70 - medsLow1 (Can only be said by Bastille.) 71 - medsOut1 (Can only be said by Medics.) 72 - hacking1 (Can only be said by Techs.) 73 - hacking2 (Can only be said by Techs.) 74 - halfHack1 (Can only be said by Techs.) 75 - hackComplete1 (Can only be said by Techs.) 76 - hackComplete2 (Can only be said by Techs.) 77 - movement1 (Can only be said by Crash.) 78 - surrounded1 (Can only be said by Techs.) 79 - mineDeployed1 (Can only be said by Officers.) 80 - synupCola1 (Can only be said by Techs.) 81 - synupCola2 (Can only be said by Medics.) 82 - cantStand1 (Can only be said by Crash.) 83 - nervousBreakdown1 (Can only be said by Bastille.) 84 - harmsWay1 (Can only be said by Medics.) 85 - dontBlameMe1 86 - steadyNow1 (Can only be said by Bastille.) 87 - painkillers1 (Can only be said by Bastille and Crash.) 88 - tequila1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 89 - drinking1 (Cannot be said by Vegas.) 90 - aahhMan1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 91 - screwThatTequila1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 92 - hellYeah1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 93 - youGotItWolfe1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 94 - whoCares1 (Can only be said by Vegas) 95 - (Unused) 96 - doingHere1 (Can only be said by Crash.) 97 - miscChat4 (Can only be said by Bastille, Jaeger, and Sarge.) 98 - takeItEasy1 (Can only be said by Medics.) 99 - reluctantAgreement1 100 - takeItEasy2 (Can only be said by Medics.) 101 - youStillBreathing1 (Can only be said by Jaeger.) 102 - crazy1 (Cannot be said by Sarge and Wolfe.) 103 - swarmDroneClaws1 (Can only be said by Sarge.) 104 - watchYourMouth1 (Can only be said by Crash and Sarge.) 105 - isItDead1 (Can only be said by Crash.) 106 - gettingUgly1 (Can only be said by Crash and Sarge.) 107 - tauntSwarm2 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 108 - shootEmUp1 (Can only be said by Jaeger, Sarge, Wildcat, and Wolfe.) 109 - imYourHeroCat1 (Can only be said by Wolfe.) 110 - wildcatWolfeBanter1 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 111 - takingBets1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 112 - fortuneFavoursVegas1 (Can only be said by Vegas.) 113 - ehJaeger1 (Can only be said by Sarge.) 114 - needADrink1 (Can only be said by Jaeger and Sarge.) 115 - rememberCetiEpsilon1 (Can only be said by Jaeger.) 116 - timeInHell1 (Can only be said by Jaeger and Sarge.) 117 - anotherForMeWolfe1 (Can only be said by Wildcat.) 118 - wildcatWolfeBanter2 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 119 - wildcatWolfeBanter3 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 120 - imUnstoppable (Can only be said by Wolfe.) 121 - wildcatWolfeBanter4 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 122 - wildcatWolfeBanter5 (Can only be said by Wildcat and Wolfe.) 123 - miscChat5 (Can only be said by Bastille, Sarge, and Wolfe.)
Default Loadouts[]
The default weapon and equipment loadout of a particular marine can be changed via the following commands. Default loadouts also apply to any bots added by a player.
For either of the primary or secondary weapon slots use: asw_default_primary_MARINENUMBER # asw_default_secondary_MARINENUMBER # Replace # with one of the following: 0 - Assault Rifle 1 - Prototype Assault Rifle (Tech only) 2 - Autogun (Special Weapons only) 3 - Vindicator (Officer only) 4 - Twin Pistols 5 - Advanced Sentry Gun 6 - Heal Beacon (Medic only) 7 - Ammo Satchel 8 - Pump-action Shotgun 9 - Tesla Cannon 10 - Precision Rail Rifle 11 - Medical Gun (Medic only) 12 - Personal Defence Weapon 13 - Flamer Unit 14 - Freeze Sentry Gun 15 - Minigun (Special Weapons only) 16 - Marksman Rifle 17 - Incendiary Sentry Gun 18 - Chainsaw 19 - High Velocity Sentry Cannon 20 - Grenade Launcher 21 - Desert Eagle 22 - Devastator (Special Weapons only) 23 - Combat Rifle 24 - Medical Amp Gun (Medic only) 25 - Heavy Assault Rifle 26 - Medical SMG (Medic only) For the offhand item slot use: asw_default_extra_MARINENUMBER # Replace # with one of the following: 0 - Personal Heal Kit 1 - Hand Welder 2 - Combat Flares 3 - Laser Trip Mine 4 - Tactical Heavy Armor 5 - Damage Amplifier 6 - Hornet Barrage 7 - Freeze Grenades 8 - Adrenaline 9 - Tesla Sentry Coil 10 - Electric Charged Armor 11 - Proximity Incendiary Mines (Officer only) 12 - Flashlight Attachment 13 - Power Fist Attachment 14 - Hand Grenades 15 - Nightvision Goggles 16 - Smart Bomb 17 - Gas Grenades For all three commands replace MARINENUMBER with one of the following: 0 - Sarge 1 - Wildcat 2 - Faith 3 - Crash 4 - Jaeger 5 - Wolfe 6 - Bastille 7 - Vegas
Server-side Commands[]
These commands are specific to the dedicated server or player hosting the game. They affect all players joining the match.
Some of these commands require sv_cheats enabled. Playing in offline mode will bypass this requirement and allow any of these commands to be used. To create an online game with cheats enabled, the host must follow these steps:
- Create a game.
- Quit to main menu.
- In the console, type "map lobby".
- In the console, type "sv_cheats 1".
Gameplay[]
Enter the following command into the console before other players connect to enable Alien Swarm 2K4-style skill point distribution. It is not well balanced or supported though, so be careful!
asw_custom_skill_points 1
Ignore the usual two player requirement to start an online game. Experienced players may do this if they want to try completing a mission by themselves, either for a personal challenge, or as part of the unofficial Rambo Challenge.
asw_ignore_need_two_player_requirement 1
Enable first person view. The first command enables first person mode, the second hides the marine from view, and the third changes the camera controls to be more FPS-like.
firstperson asw_hide_marine 1 asw_controls 0
Force hordes to spawn using a Left 4 Dead-esque director. Excellent for adding an additional level of difficulty.
asw_horde_override 1 asw_wanderer_override 1 The following commands can be used to further tweak horde spawns: asw_horde_interval_max # (Replace # with any number. This sets the maximum time between each horde spawn.) asw_horde_interval_min # (Replace # with any number. This sets the minimum time between each horde spawn.) asw_horde_size_max # (Replace # with any number. This sets the maximum amount of enemies in the horde.) asw_horde_size_min # (Replace # with any number. This sets the minimum amount of enemies in the horde.) asw_horde_class asw_ALIENTYPE (Replace ALIENTYPE with an alien type such as parasite, shieldbug, etc. This sets the alien type that the horde will spawn.)
Hosting Tools[]
Restart a mission without a vote.
asw_restart_mission
Kick a player without a vote.
users (Use this command to generate a list of user IDs.) kickid # (Replace # with the ID of the user to be kicked.) kick # (Replace # with the name of the user to be kicked.)
Change the hosted game type from public to friends-only or vice versa.
make_game_public make_game_friends_only
Bots[]
Bots are computer controlled marines that function exactly like those found in the singleplayer offline mode. Bots can be added by any player while in the lobby. They cannot be added to a game in progress. Bots will not prevent additional players from joining a game; they do not take up a real player slot. Bots will automatically be kicked to make room for real players as they join the game. A bot added to a game with only one live player will bypass the usual two player requirement to start a game.
Bots may be ordered to "Follow me" or "Hold position" by any player in a game, however only the player that added the bot can control their equipment usage and/or swap to directly controlling them.
Bots are added or removed with the following commands:
cl_selectm # -1 (-1 will add a bot to the first open marine slot. Replace -1 with either 0, 1, 2 or 3 to fill that specific slot, slots must be filled progressively.) cl_dselectm # (Remove a bot from the game.) In either case, replace # with one of the following: 0 - Sarge 1 - Wildcat 2 - Faith 3 - Crash 4 - Jaeger 5 - Wolfe 6 - Bastille 7 - Vegas
To quickly remove all bots from a game, bind the following command:
bind <key> "cl_dselectm 0; cl_dselectm 1; cl_dselectm 2; cl_dselectm 3; cl_dselectm 4; cl_dselectm 5; cl_dselectm 6; cl_dselectm 7; cl_dselectm 8"
Adding Comments[]
It is possible to add comments to a .cfg file by placing text to the right of a two forward-slashes. This can be useful for things such as: organizing a large number of command, including an index of values, or for explaining what commands do when sharing files.
Camera Hacks[]
- Main article: Camera Hacks
Go to the camera hacks page to see visual demonstrations of alternate camera views enabled via the console.
Cheat codes[]
- Main article: Cheat codes
Go to the cheat codes page to see visual demonstrations of unfair gameplay enhancements enabled via the console.
See also[]
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Campaigns • Characters • Enemies • Equipment • Promotions • Skills • Weapons Background • Challenges • Console • Difficulty • Experience • Server setup • Speedrunning • Steam achievements • Strategy |
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