Custom lobby game tweaks using !bset, where they work, and common mistakes that cause them to fail silently.
Tags: bar modding, !bset, lobby tweaks, Base64, custom game mods
The !bset command lets lobby hosts apply custom tweaks to a game unit without writing a full mod. You type it into lobby chat, provide the tweak slot name, and Base64-encoded Lua code. The game applies it when the match starts.
The two main slots are tweakunits and tweakdefs. If you send Lua meant for tweakdefs through the tweakunits slot, or vice versa, the command silently fails. A common example people run into is trying to modify unit health with a loop that should iterate over UnitDefs. If it does not work, check that you used !bset tweakdefs, not !bset tweakunits.
Another frequent issue: the Lua code must be properly Base64-encoded. A malformed encoding string gives no warning message in the lobby. The game simply ignores it.
One practical use case is giving a commander or builder access to units they normally cannot build. The pattern looks like this:
buildOptionsAdd: list of unit IDs to add under a specific builder.buildOptionsRemove: list of unit IDs to take away from that builder.For example, giving an ARM commander access to a Peewee and a Flea while removing the tidal generator and laser turret from its build menu. The template for edits like this is maintained in the BAR-Tweaks repository on GitHub, and following its structure avoids most formatting errors.
All unit definitions in BAR are public. The unit source directory on the official GitHub repo lists every unit file by name. The filename gives you the unit ID you need to reference inside a !bset command. For instance, the basic ARM veh constructor is armcv.
Some players ask about resizing existing unit models. The game engine technically supports rescaling, but it requires deeper knowledge of the gadget system. The current modding layer in BAR does not support dropping in custom 3D models for multiplayer use. For simple stat or build menu changes, !bset handles the job cleanly. Model-level changes require a standalone mod project instead.
Creed of Champions members sometimes run custom lobby events with balanced tweaks for variety. The group maintains a clean, communicative atmosphere regardless of game mode. It is a place where experimental lobbies stay friendly instead of tipping into blame.
[Crd] Gaming actually fulfills a human purpose here: cooperation, mutual upbuilding, fun and striving for greatness together. Instead of random anonymity, you meet, learn from, and enjoy real people.