
Mods have been a big part of military simulation games, especially in the Arma series. Popular mods have even become the foundation for some of today’s most well-known video games, such as DayZ and battle royale modes — all of which started as mods in Arma.
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Some mods allow you to transform the game into a different era. While Arma Reforger is set during the Cold War, mods can shift the setting to modern warfare or the Vietnam War. Most importantly, some mods — like the ones on this list — help new players get a better start with the Arma series and the MilSim experience overall.
Realism is one of the most prominent elements in MilSim games, and Arma Reforger is no exception. Many players are surprised to find that they need to learn how to read a map to determine their location.
While Reforger offers tutorials to help you learn the navigation system, installing the Where am I mod will show your exact location on the map. However, mods only work on servers that allow them, so it’s important to learn the basics to avoid getting lost on official servers.
An important element of realism in Arma Reforger is the historical setting. Since the game takes place during the Cold War era and you play as infantry soldiers, your only tool for seeing in the dark is a flashlight.
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However, flashlights can easily reveal your position to the enemy. With the Night Vision System mod, you’ll not only be able to see more clearly in the dark, but you’ll also stay hidden. This mod is especially useful for modern combat servers or Game Master-led night operations.
A common feature in MilSim games—and a key part of their realism—is the absence of crosshairs. Most shooter games include a crosshair, so it can be surprising for new players in the Arma series to find that there isn’t one.
It takes time to get used to shooting from the hip without a crosshair, but the RIS Laser Attachment mod can help. The laser’s straight line provides a visual aid, making hip-firing more accurate. This mod is also compatible with many modded weapons. Once downloaded, you can find it in the arsenal.
The Arma series is known for its large sandbox maps, most of which are expansive islands surrounded by water. Reforger is no different, featuring two island maps. Since Reforger is also considered a testbed for the developers’ new game engine, some core vehicles—like boats—are still missing from the base game.
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However, thanks to the RHIB mod, that’s no longer a problem. This mod adds a playable boat, allowing for faster navigation along the island coastlines. It’s also a valuable addition to your arsenal for operations in Game Master mode.
Communication is a vital element in MilSim games. It’s the foundation of effective teamwork and strategy. Arma Reforger includes both voice and text chat, but that kind of communication isn’t always accessible to everyone.
The Bon Action Animations mod introduces a new way to communicate with your squad and teammates through military gestures. These animations can help you point out enemy locations or signal when it’s time to rest and recover stamina. The mod even includes some dance animations—perfect for celebrating a hard-earned victory.
Military simulation games are notorious for offering a hardcore gaming experience. One of the most challenging features is not knowing whether you’ve eliminated an enemy. In Arma Reforger, there are no hit markers or HUD notifications for kills.
On night maps or when engaging at long distances, it becomes even harder to tell if your shots are landing near the target. The BetterTracers mod helps solve this by making bullet tracers more visible, allowing you to better track where you’re aiming. Not only does this improve accuracy, but it also adds to the game’s visual immersion.
Creating missions, operations, and even full game modes has always been a core feature of the Arma series. Arma 3 introduced tools like the Editor and Zeus mode, where a player essentially acts as a god—controlling the battlefield, AI, and even the weather.
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In Reforger, this feature is called Game Master. In this mode, you truly become the master of the battlefield. The Game Master FX mod expands your creative options by adding more explosions, smoke effects, flares, and artillery. It’s an excellent tool for creating immersive and dynamic scenarios, helping you deliver the ultimate MilSim experience.
Modded servers have always been a major part of the Arma series. They add replayability and extend the life of the base game by introducing new content and gameplay elements. Most modded servers transform Arma Reforger into a modern combat shooter, and it’s very likely that the server you join will require the RHS Status Quo mod.
The RHS mod includes a wide variety of assets such as weapons, objects, uniforms, gear, and more. These are mostly based on real-world military equipment from the early 2000s to the present day, making it a must-have for modern MilSim scenarios.