How to Install CSDM (Deathmatch) on CS 1.6

CSDM turns a normal round-based CS 1.6 server into instant-respawn deathmatch: players spawn immediately after dying, pick weapons from a menu, and fight continuously. It runs on top of Metamod and AMX Mod X, hooking the engine to override the standard round flow. This walks through a correct install and the config that actually enables respawning.

1. Confirm the prerequisites

CSDM will not load without both Metamod and AMX Mod X already working. Verify from the server console:

meta list
amxx version

meta list must show Metamod running with AMX Mod X loaded beneath it. If either is missing, install them first — CSDM has nothing to attach to otherwise.

2. Extract CSDM into the game folder

CSDM ships as a package of AMX Mod X plugins plus a supporting module and config files. Extract it so the pieces land under cstrike/:

• The plugin binaries (csdm_main.amxx, csdm_equip.amxx, csdm_spawn_preset.amxx, csdm_misc.amxx, csdm_ffa.amxx, csdm_protection.amxx) go in addons/amxmodx/plugins/.
• The CSDM config, csdm.cfg, goes in addons/amxmodx/configs/.

Keep the exact filenames from the package — the plugins reference each other by name.

3. Register the plugins

Add the CSDM plugins to addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini. The main plugin must be present; the others are optional features:

csdm_main.amxx          ; core deathmatch + respawn
csdm_equip.amxx         ; weapon-select menu on spawn
csdm_spawn_preset.amxx  ; preset spawn points per map
csdm_misc.amxx          ; ammo refill, extras
csdm_protection.amxx    ; brief spawn protection
; csdm_ffa.amxx         ; enable for free-for-all (no teams)

Load order is fine as listed. See installing AMXX plugin files for the general procedure.

4. Enable CSDM in csdm.cfg

This is the step people miss: the plugins load but do nothing until CSDM is switched on in its config. Edit addons/amxmodx/configs/csdm.cfg:

// master switch - CSDM is OFF until this is 1
csdm_active 1

// respawn behaviour
csdm_respawn_wait 0     // seconds before respawn (0 = instant)

// spawning mode: use the preset spawn points
spawnmode preset

// give a weapons menu when players spawn
enabled equipment

The csdm_active 1 line is the master switch; leaving it at 0 is the classic "I installed CSDM and nothing respawns" cause. Adjust the respawn delay to taste — 0 for frantic instant deathmatch, a second or two for a calmer feel.

5. Tune the round for deathmatch

Deathmatch feels wrong with the normal buy time and round economy. In server.cfg or a map config:

mp_freezetime 0
mp_roundtime 9
mp_buytime 9999
mp_startmoney 16000

Zero freeze time keeps the action continuous; a long round time stops the map cutting deathmatch short. CSDM's own equip menu usually replaces buying, but generous buy settings avoid awkward money limits.

6. Change the map to load it

plugins.ini and csdm.cfg are read on map load, so restart or change the map after editing:

changelevel de_dust2

For a stronger spawn-protection window or a respawn-on-join style, the standalone CSB Spawn Protection and CSB Respawn on Join plugins complement CSDM. If you want a self-contained respawn system without the full CSDM package, CSB CSDM Respawn is a lighter alternative.

Understanding the spawn modes

The spawnmode setting in csdm.cfg decides where players reappear, and it is the setting most worth understanding. Preset spawns use fixed points defined for each map — the cleanest option, giving predictable, well-spaced spawns, but it only works on maps that have a preset spawn file. Other modes fall back to the map's original spawn entities or spread players around dynamically. On a map without presets, choosing preset lands everyone at the same origin or inside geometry, which is the usual cause of players spawning stuck in a wall. If a map has no presets and you cannot make them, use a non-preset mode for that map, or supply a preset spawn file. Preset spawns are what make deathmatch feel fair on the popular maps, so most CSDM servers ship spawn files for their whole rotation.

Why the equip menu matters

The csdm_equip plugin replaces the normal buy economy with a weapon menu shown on each spawn, which is what makes deathmatch flow — nobody wants to open the buy menu and count money between instant respawns. Configure which weapons the menu offers through the equipment section of csdm.cfg; a tight menu (a few rifles and pistols) keeps the mode focused, while an open one lets players grab an AWP every spawn. This is a deliberate design lever, not a detail: the weapon menu defines the character of your deathmatch server.

Troubleshooting

• Plugins load but nobody respawns — csdm_active is 0 in csdm.cfg. Set it to 1 and change map. Full diagnosis in CSDM not respawning.
• Players spawn stuck inside walls or all in one spot — the map has no preset spawns; switch spawnmode to a non-preset mode or add spawn points for that map.
• No weapon menu on spawn — csdm_equip.amxx is not in plugins.ini or equipment is disabled in csdm.cfg.
• csdm_main.amxx shows bad load in amxx plugins — the CSDM module is missing or AMX Mod X is the wrong version. Reinstall the matching package.

Verification

Join the server, get killed, and confirm you respawn within your configured delay with the weapon menu appearing. Run amxx plugins and check that every csdm_* plugin reads running, not paused or bad load. If respawning works and the equip menu pops on spawn, CSDM is installed correctly.