> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cbservers.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Play Private Match with Friends

> Connect and play with friends using Discord, Radmin VPN, or port forwarding

## Introduction

Due to the nature of these community clients being separated from Steam's infrastructure, you can't add friends through Steam and join their games directly. The connection method depends on which game you're playing:

* **Discord friends (easiest):** BOIII, IW6x, S1x, H1-Mod, and IW7-Mod can invite Discord friends straight into a private match with no extra software. [Jump to this method](#play-with-discord-friends-easiest).
* **Built-in friends system:** Plutonium clients (T4, IW5, T5, T6) use their own in-game friends list. [Jump to this method](#games-with-built-in-friends).
* **Radmin VPN or port forwarding:** Every other client, and a fallback for the clients above if the Discord method doesn't work. [Jump to this method](#radmin-vpn-or-port-forwarding).
* **External guides:** Modern Warfare 2 SP/Spec Ops (IW4-SP), Modern Warfare 3 SP/Spec Ops (IW5-Mod), and Black Ops 4 (Project BO4) each have their own external guide. [Jump to this method](#external-guides).

## Play with Discord Friends (Easiest)

The following clients let you invite Discord friends straight into your private match. Connections are made automatically through NAT hole punching — no Radmin, Hamachi, or port forwarding required.

| Game                      | Client  |
| ------------------------- | ------- |
| Black Ops 3               | BOIII   |
| Ghosts                    | IW6x    |
| Advanced Warfare          | S1x     |
| Modern Warfare Remastered | H1-Mod  |
| Infinite Warfare          | IW7-Mod |

### Hosting a Match

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a private match">
    Launch the client and start a private match as you normally would.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open to Friends">
    Open the pause menu and click **Open to Friends**. Your Discord status updates to show a joinable game.

    <Tip>
      Don't see the button? Some custom maps and mods (especially on BOIII) override the in-game menus. Open the console (`~`) and run `nat_host` instead — it does the exact same thing.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite friends">
    Click the file attachment (**+**) button in a friend's DM or any text channel to send an invite. Friends can also join directly from your Discord status without an invite.

    <Info>
      Make sure Discord is running and **Activity Status** is enabled so your game shows up.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close match">
    Want to close the match after a friend joins? Open the pause menu and click **Close to Friends** (or run `nat_host` again in the console).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Joining a Friend

<Note>
  Launch the game in the same mode as the host before joining — for example, join in Zombies if they're hosting a Zombies match.
</Note>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="With Discord">
    Click **Join** on your friend's Discord status, or accept their invite. You'll connect automatically — no IP or console commands needed.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manually (console)">
    Use this if you'd rather not use Discord, or your game isn't showing up there.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Host: open the match">
        Open the console (`~`) and run `nat_host`. It prints a match token:

        ```
        [nat] opened private match to friends, token=a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8
        ```

        Share that token with your friend.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Joiner: connect with the token">
        Open the console (`~`) and run `nat_join <token>` (e.g. `nat_join a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8`). You'll connect automatically.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  This works when the host is on a normal home internet connection. Restrictive networks such as mobile hotspots, hotel, or public Wi-Fi can block the connection. If you can't connect, use [Radmin VPN or port forwarding](#radmin-vpn-or-port-forwarding) instead.
</Warning>

## Games with Built-in Friends

Some clients handle private matches through their own friends system rather than direct IP connections. First [add each other to your friend list](https://plutonium.pw/docs/custom-games/#add-a-friend-to-your-friend-list), then use the per-game guide below to join a friend's custom game.

| Game                      | Join Guide                                                                  |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| World at War MP/ZM (T4)   | [Plutonium custom games guide](https://plutonium.pw/docs/custom-games/#t4)  |
| Modern Warfare 3 MP (IW5) | [Plutonium custom games guide](https://plutonium.pw/docs/custom-games/#iw5) |
| Black Ops MP/ZM (T5)      | [Plutonium custom games guide](https://plutonium.pw/docs/custom-games/#t5)  |
| Black Ops 2 MP/ZM (T6)    | [Plutonium custom games guide](https://plutonium.pw/docs/custom-games/#t6)  |

## External Guides

Some clients handle private matches differently enough that they're best covered by their own external guide:

* [Modern Warfare 2 SP / Spec Ops (IW4-SP)](https://forum.alterware.dev/t/iw4-singleplayer-spec-ops-private-match-guide/55)
* [Modern Warfare 3 SP / Spec Ops (IW5-Mod)](https://forum.alterware.dev/t/iw5-singleplayer-spec-ops-mp-private-match-guide/1068)
* [Black Ops 4 (Project BO4)](https://shield-bo4.gitbook.io/document/playing-online/how-to-connect-with-friends)

## Radmin VPN or Port Forwarding

This is the only method for IW4x and HMW, and the fallback for BOIII, IW6x, S1x, H1-Mod, and IW7-Mod when the [Discord method](#play-with-discord-friends-easiest) doesn't work.

### Client Port Numbers

| Client  | Port    |
| ------- | ------- |
| IW4x    | `28960` |
| IW6x    | `27016` |
| S1x     | `27016` |
| BOIII   | `27017` |
| H1-Mod  | `27016` |
| IW7-Mod | `27016` |
| HMW     | `27016` |

***

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Radmin VPN (Easier)">
    ## Method 1: Hosting with Radmin VPN

    This is the easier method and doesn't require router configuration.

    ### Additional Prerequisites

    * [Radmin VPN](https://www.radmin-vpn.com/) installed on all players' computers

    ### Initial Setup (All Players)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install Radmin VPN">
        Download and install [Radmin VPN](https://www.radmin-vpn.com/).

        <Note>
          Steps 2 & 3 may not be necessary if you already allowed the client through Windows Firewall when you first launched it.
        </Note>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Allow client through Windows Firewall">
        1. Go to Windows Firewall settings
        2. Click **Change Settings** > **Allow another app**
        3. Browse to your client executable
        4. Ensure all boxes are ticked, then click **OK**

        [Video guide for firewall settings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxy36eKoYNk)
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create firewall rules for your client port">
        1. Open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
        2. Create both **Inbound** and **Outbound** rules for your client's port (see port numbers above)
        3. **Important:** Set protocol to **UDP**, not TCP

        [Video guide for firewall rules](https://youtu.be/cRZ26576d1g?t=79)
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Network Setup (Host)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create a Radmin VPN network">
        1. Open Radmin VPN
        2. Click **Network > Create Network**
        3. Set a network name and password
      </Step>

      <Step title="Share credentials">
        Give the network name and password to your friends.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Network Setup (Friends)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Join the network">
        1. Open Radmin VPN
        2. Click **Network > Join Network**
        3. Enter the network name and password provided by the host
        4. Click **Join**
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Starting the Match (Host)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Start a match">
        1. Launch the client via the CB Launcher, or open the client executable directly (e.g., `boiii.exe`)
        2. Navigate to your desired mode, choose a map and start the match
      </Step>

      <Step title="Find your Radmin IP">
        1. Open Radmin VPN
        2. Your IP will be displayed in the network list (e.g., `26.118.191.42`)
        3. Share this IP with your friends

        ![Radmin VPN IP](https://i.imgur.com/LCOFHby.png)
      </Step>

      <Step title="Limit player count (optional)">
        1. Open the console (`` ` `` or `~` key, under ESC)
        2. Type: `com_maxclients X` or `sv_maxclients X` (replace X with desired player count)
        3. Example: `com_maxclients 2` for 2 players total
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Joining the Match (Friends)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Wait for host">
        Wait for the host to be IN the actual game/match, NOT in the lobby.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect via console">
        1. Open the in-game console (`` ` `` or `~` key)
           * On 60% keyboards: `Fn+ESC`
        2. Type: `connect RadminIP:PORT`
        3. Example: `connect 26.118.191.42:27017`
        4. Use the Radmin IP provided by the host and the appropriate port for your client
      </Step>

      <Step title="Play">
        Wait for the game to load and have fun!
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Port Forwarding (Advanced)">
    ## Method 2: Hosting with Public IP and Port Forwarding

    This method requires access to your router settings and is recommended only if you have a static public IP.

    ### Host Setup

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Port forward on your router">
        Forward the UDP port for your specific client (see port numbers above) to the device you're playing on.

        Consult your router's documentation for port forwarding instructions or follow this [port forward guide](https://portforward.com/how-to-port-forward/).

        <Warning>
          Only recommended if your public IP is static.
        </Warning>

        <Note>
          Steps 2 & 3 may not be necessary if you already allowed the client through Windows Firewall when you first launched it.
        </Note>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create Windows Firewall inbound rule">
        1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
        2. Create an inbound rule to permit UDP traffic on your client's port

        [Video guide for firewall configuration](https://youtu.be/cRZ26576d1g?t=79)
      </Step>

      <Step title="Allow client through Windows Firewall">
        1. Go to Windows Firewall settings
        2. Click **Change Settings** > **Allow another app**
        3. Browse to your client executable (e.g., `boiii.exe`, `s1x.exe`, etc.)
        4. Ensure all boxes are ticked, then click **OK**

        [Video guide for firewall settings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxy36eKoYNk)
      </Step>

      <Step title="Find your public IP">
        Visit [whatismyipaddress.com](https://whatismyipaddress.com/) and note down your IPv4 address.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Starting the Match (Host)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Start a match">
        1. Launch the client via the CB Launcher, or open the client executable directly (e.g., `boiii.exe`)
        2. Navigate to your desired mode, choose a map and start the match
      </Step>

      <Step title="Limit player count (optional)">
        1. Open the console (`` ` `` or `~` key, under ESC)
        2. Type: `com_maxclients X` or `sv_maxclients X` (replace X with desired player count)
        3. Example: `com_maxclients 2` for 2 players total
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    ### Joining the Match (Friends)

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Wait for host">
        Wait for the host to be IN the actual game/match, NOT in the lobby.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect via console">
        1. Open the in-game console (`` ` `` or `~` key)
           * On 60% keyboards: `Fn+ESC`
        2. Type: `connect IP:PORT`
        3. Example: `connect 192.168.1.100:27017`
        4. Use the host's public IP and the appropriate port for your client
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Need Help?

If you need more help or support, please join our [Discord](https://cbservers.xyz/discord).