"The modern stack" is the combination most competitive and feature-rich CS 1.6 servers run today: ReHLDS (a faster, maintained engine), ReGameDLL_CS (an open reimplementation of the game logic), Metamod-r, AMX Mod X, and ReAPI (an AMXX module exposing ReHLDS/ReGameDLL hooks). Each replaces or extends a stock component, and they must go on in the right order because each depends on the one below it. This guide is the map of the whole stack; each layer links to its detailed install.
1. The layers, bottom to top
| Layer | Replaces / adds | Depends on |
|---|---|---|
| ReHLDS | the engine (engine_i486.so / swds.dll) | — |
| ReGameDLL_CS | game logic (cs.so / mp.dll) | ReHLDS (recommended) |
| Metamod-r | plugin loader between engine and game DLL | engine + game DLL |
| AMX Mod X | admin + Pawn plugin system | Metamod |
| ReAPI | AMXX module exposing Re* hooks | ReGameDLL + AMXX |
Install in that order. Skipping a layer or reversing the order is the root of most "it half-works" problems — ReAPI in particular does nothing without ReGameDLL underneath it.
2. ReHLDS — the engine
Replace the stock GoldSrc engine with ReHLDS first. It is a drop-in binary swap and everything else assumes it is present. Follow install ReHLDS on Linux (or the Windows guide). Verify the server still boots on the new engine before moving on — a broken engine swap is far easier to spot now than after four more layers are on top.
3. ReGameDLL_CS — the game logic
ReGameDLL replaces cs.so / mp.dll, the DLL that implements rounds, buying, bomb logic and the cvars stock CS lacks (mp_maxrounds, mp_winlimit and many more). Install it per the ReGameDLL guide. Two things make ReGameDLL worth it: it fixes long-standing gameplay bugs, and it is the component ReAPI hooks into. Without ReGameDLL, ReAPI has no game to talk to.
4. Metamod-r — the loader
Metamod sits between the engine and the game DLL and loads plugins. Point liblist.gam's gamedll line at Metamod and it loads the real game DLL plus its plugin list. Use Metamod-r rather than the legacy build on this stack — the reasoning is in Metamod-r vs Metamod-P. Metamod-r is compatible with ReHLDS and the Re* components in a way older Metamod builds are not always.
5. AMX Mod X — the plugin system
AMXX loads as a Metamod plugin (its line in addons/metamod/plugins.ini points at amxmodx_mm_i386.so on Linux). It gives you admin commands, menus and the whole Pawn plugin ecosystem. Install AMX Mod X 1.9, the safe default version. AMXX's own plugins are then listed in a separate addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini — do not confuse it with Metamod's file of the same name; the difference is explained in metamod/plugins.ini explained.
6. ReAPI — the hooks
ReAPI is an AMXX module (not a standalone plugin) that exposes ReHLDS and ReGameDLL functions to Pawn plugins through RegisterHookChain. Enable it as covered in install ReAPI by adding it to addons/amxmodx/configs/modules.ini. Any plugin that #include <reapi> now works — but only because ReGameDLL is underneath providing the functions ReAPI wraps. This is why the whole stack is a chain: ReAPI at the top is only meaningful because of ReGameDLL near the bottom.
Troubleshooting
- ReAPI natives error / plugins using reapi fail — ReGameDLL is not installed or not loaded. ReAPI requires it; confirm the game DLL is ReGameDLL, not stock.
- Server boots stock despite the swaps — a layer's files went to the wrong path. Verify each replacement individually, bottom-up, before stacking the next.
- Metamod loads but AMXX does not — AMXX's line is missing from Metamod's
plugins.ini; see meta list has no AMXX. - Crashes after adding ReGameDLL — a version mismatch between ReHLDS and ReGameDLL, or you kept the stock engine. Match compatible builds and confirm ReHLDS is active.
- Everything loads but old plugins misbehave — some very old plugins assume stock game behaviour ReGameDLL changed. Update them or check their ReGameDLL compatibility.
Verification
Verify the chain from the console after a map load:
meta list amxx modules amxx plugins
meta list should show AMXX running; amxx modules should list reapi as running; amxx plugins should show your plugins loaded, including any that use ReAPI. Confirm a ReGameDLL-only cvar such as mp_maxrounds is recognised (it returns a value rather than "unknown command"). When all of those pass, the modern stack is fully wired.
