Rent a Garry's Mod Server – TTT, DarkRP, and PropHunt

Your own Garry's Mod server is worth it if you want to run TTT, DarkRP, PropHunt, or Sandbox with fixed rules, controlled addons, and stable management. A clearly chosen game mode, a clean server.cfg, a maintained Steam Workshop collection, and a test run before opening the server to your community are important. For the TTT game mode there is a separate step-by-step guide: Set up a Garry's Mod TTT server.

Requirements

For a small Garry's Mod server, you should plan for at least 2 GB RAM. That is more suitable for manageable groups and light addon sets; DarkRP servers with many jobs, maps, vehicles, or extensive Workshop content need more reserves depending on the setup. Also decide in advance which mode you want to run. A server prepared for TTT, DarkRP, and PropHunt at the same time quickly becomes confusing.

You need access to the server files, the server.cfg, the startup parameters, and the server console. For addons, use the official Steam Workshop for Garry's Mod. This source is the primary place for Workshop content, collections, and addon IDs. Always check there whether an addon is currently maintained and which dependencies the author lists.

If you are also planning voice communication for your team, your own TeamSpeak 3 server for management and co-op coordination fits well with GMod sessions. For other co-op servers, you can also find the guide to Terraria multiplayer servers.

Order a Server and Define Basic Data

1. Go to game-serverhosting
2. Choose at least 2 GB RAM
3. Choose the game mode during ordering

At game-serverhosting, paid operation is the focus: you rent a server, manage configuration and addons deliberately, and can use support and transparent operating procedures instead of hosting locally. Enter a clear server name early, decide on a password, and initially start with a small player count. For public servers, an empty password is common; for test phases or private rounds, set a password until addons, maps, and permissions work cleanly.

Popular Game Modes

These player counts are practical guide values, not a performance guarantee. Map size, tick rate, addons, Lua scripts, entity count, and player behavior are decisive. Start conservatively, watch the server console and player feedback, and increase slots only once the server remains stable.

Set Up server.cfg

The server.cfg is the central base file for name, password, slots, and game mode. Use only one active gamemode line. The other lines remain as comments so you can switch more easily later.

hostname "My GMod Server"
sv_password ""
maxplayers 24
gamemode terrortown          // TTT
// gamemode darkrp           // DarkRP
// gamemode prop_hunt         // PropHunt

After every change, you should restart the server and check in the console whether the mode was loaded. If the server starts in the wrong mode, the cause is usually a second active gamemode line, an incorrect startup parameter, or a missing gamemode folder.

Set Up a Workshop Collection

Workshop collections are the cleanest way to provide addons to players automatically. Put only content in them that is actually needed: gamemode, maps, models, sounds, weapons, HUDs, and required dependencies. The larger the collection, the longer the first join takes and the higher the risk of conflicts.

1. Create a Steam Workshop Collection
2. Add all desired addons
3. Add the collection ID to the startup line:

+host_workshop_collection <collection_id>

You can find the collection ID in the URL of your Steam collection. After entering it, restart the server and connect with a client that does not yet have the addons installed locally. This lets you check whether the download path works and whether missing content appears as error models or pink-and-black textures.

Set Up DarkRP

DarkRP depends on cleanly maintained roles, rules, and economy values. Do not change everything at once; test jobs and entities step by step.

1. DarkRP Gamemode is often preinstalled
2. Define jobs in darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua
3. Define entities in darkrp_customthings/entities.lua
4. Test the F4 menu for job switching

After every change, check the server console for Lua errors. If the F4 menu does not open or jobs are missing, it is often due to syntax errors, missing commas, or addons that override DarkRP functions. Keep a working version of your configuration ready before adding larger job packages.

Set Up TTT

TTT needs clear round lengths, sensible traitor and detective shares, and maps that fit the player count. These example values are a solid starting point for small to medium groups:

ttt_round_limit 6
ttt_time_limit_minutes 15
ttt_traitor_pct 0.25
ttt_detective_pct 0.13
ttt_haste 1
ttt_haste_starting_minutes 5

Then test at least one full round with multiple players. Make sure roles are assigned correctly, rounds end cleanly, and map changes work. For very small groups, the detective share can feel unsuitable; for larger groups, you should evaluate balance with real play sessions.

Check PropHunt and Sandbox

For PropHunt, map selection is especially important. Not every map offers enough props, hiding spots, or fair search routes. Therefore, test every map with both teams. Sandbox, on the other hand, needs clear permission management because players can spawn many objects. Limit problematic tools if the server is publicly reachable.

Check the Result

After setup, the server should appear in the server list with the correct name, load the selected gamemode, and offer the Workshop content when joining. Connect once as a normal player, not just as an admin. Check password, slots, map, addons, console errors, download time, and a map change. Only then should you share the address with your community.

Troubleshooting

If addons are missing, first check the collection ID and whether the collection is publicly visible. If the server does not start, temporarily remove new addons and start with a minimal server.cfg. For Lua errors, the first error message in the console is usually more important than all follow-up errors. If players get stuck while joining, reduce large content packs and test a smaller Workshop collection.

Checks, Limits, and a Safe Way Back

The guide “Rent a Garry's Mod Server – TTT, DarkRP, and PropHunt” applies to the server type described in the article and the version status visible at the time of review. Menu names, available versions, mod or plugin compatibility, and required resources may differ after updates. Therefore, do not transfer any values unchecked to another game, loader, or server version.

Before making changes to the world, savegame, configuration, or extensions, create a backup of the affected files. Then change only one related step and check it with the same client and server version you want to play with later.

A successful individual test is not a performance or availability guarantee. World size, mods, plugins, player count, network path, and simultaneous load can change the result. Document the version, change, and test result so you can understand later deviations.

FAQ

How much RAM do I need for a Garry's Mod server?

For small setups, you should choose at least 2 GB RAM. More players, DarkRP, large maps, and many Workshop addons increase the requirement. Plan step by step and observe the server under real load.

Which game mode is suitable for starting out?

TTT and PropHunt are usually faster to set up because they have clear round structures. DarkRP offers more depth, but needs significantly more maintenance for jobs, rules, addons, and moderation.

Do I have to use a Steam Workshop collection?

For addon servers, it is strongly recommended. Without a collection, players have to install content manually or will see missing models, sounds, and textures. Use the official Steam Workshop page as the source for the collection and addons.

Why does my server start in the wrong gamemode?

Check the server.cfg, startup parameters, and installed gamemode files. Only one gamemode line should be active. Commented examples may remain, but they must not accidentally be loaded without //.

How do I properly test DarkRP after changes?

Restart the server, open the F4 menu, switch multiple jobs, and spawn defined entities. Then read the server console. Small syntax errors in jobs.lua or entities.lua can hide entire areas.