---
title: "How to Install CSDM (Deathmatch) on CS 1.6"
excerpt: "Install CSDM on top of Metamod and AMX Mod X, enable respawning and weapon menus through csdm.cfg, and get instant-action deathmatch running cleanly."
category: "installation"
tags: "csdm, deathmatch"
image: ""
read_time: "8 min read"
---
<p>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 <a href="/tutorials/install-metamod-r">Metamod</a> and <a href="/tutorials/install-amx-mod-x-1-9">AMX Mod X</a>, hooking the engine to override the standard round flow. This walks through a correct install and the config that actually enables respawning.</p>
<h2>1. Confirm the prerequisites</h2>
<p>CSDM will not load without both Metamod and AMX Mod X already working. Verify from the server console:</p>
<pre>meta list
amxx version</pre>
<p><code>meta list</code> must show Metamod running with AMX Mod X loaded beneath it. If either is missing, install them first &mdash; CSDM has nothing to attach to otherwise.</p>
<h2>2. Extract CSDM into the game folder</h2>
<p>CSDM ships as a package of AMX Mod X plugins plus a supporting module and config files. Extract it so the pieces land under <code>cstrike/</code>:</p>
<ul>
<li>The plugin binaries (<code>csdm_main.amxx</code>, <code>csdm_equip.amxx</code>, <code>csdm_spawn_preset.amxx</code>, <code>csdm_misc.amxx</code>, <code>csdm_ffa.amxx</code>, <code>csdm_protection.amxx</code>) go in <code>addons/amxmodx/plugins/</code>.</li>
<li>The CSDM config, <code>csdm.cfg</code>, goes in <code>addons/amxmodx/configs/</code>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Keep the exact filenames from the package &mdash; the plugins reference each other by name.</p>
<h2>3. Register the plugins</h2>
<p>Add the CSDM plugins to <code>addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini</code>. The main plugin must be present; the others are optional features:</p>
<pre>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)</pre>
<p>Load order is fine as listed. See <a href="/tutorials/install-amxx-plugin-files">installing AMXX plugin files</a> for the general procedure.</p>
<h2>4. Enable CSDM in csdm.cfg</h2>
<p>This is the step people miss: the plugins load but do nothing until CSDM is switched on in its config. Edit <code>addons/amxmodx/configs/csdm.cfg</code>:</p>
<pre>// 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</pre>
<p>The <code>csdm_active 1</code> line is the master switch; leaving it at <code>0</code> is the classic "I installed CSDM and nothing respawns" cause. Adjust the respawn delay to taste &mdash; <code>0</code> for frantic instant deathmatch, a second or two for a calmer feel.</p>
<h2>5. Tune the round for deathmatch</h2>
<p>Deathmatch feels wrong with the normal buy time and round economy. In <a href="/tutorials/setup-server-cfg-cs16">server.cfg</a> or a map config:</p>
<pre>mp_freezetime 0
mp_roundtime 9
mp_buytime 9999
mp_startmoney 16000</pre>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>6. Change the map to load it</h2>
<p><code>plugins.ini</code> and <code>csdm.cfg</code> are read on map load, so restart or change the map after editing:</p>
<pre>changelevel de_dust2</pre>
<p>For a stronger spawn-protection window or a respawn-on-join style, the standalone <a href="/plugins/csb-spawn-protection">CSB Spawn Protection</a> and <a href="/plugins/csb-respawn-on-join">CSB Respawn on Join</a> plugins complement CSDM. If you want a self-contained respawn system without the full CSDM package, <a href="/plugins/csb-csdm-respawn">CSB CSDM Respawn</a> is a lighter alternative.</p>
<h2>Understanding the spawn modes</h2>
<p>The <code>spawnmode</code> setting in <code>csdm.cfg</code> decides where players reappear, and it is the setting most worth understanding. <strong>Preset</strong> spawns use fixed points defined for each map &mdash; 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 <code>preset</code> 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.</p>
<h2>Why the equip menu matters</h2>
<p>The <code>csdm_equip</code> plugin replaces the normal buy economy with a weapon menu shown on each spawn, which is what makes deathmatch flow &mdash; nobody wants to open the buy menu and count money between instant respawns. Configure which weapons the menu offers through the equipment section of <code>csdm.cfg</code>; 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.</p>
<h2>Troubleshooting</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Plugins load but nobody respawns</strong> &mdash; <code>csdm_active</code> is <code>0</code> in <code>csdm.cfg</code>. Set it to <code>1</code> and change map. Full diagnosis in <a href="/tutorials/fix-csdm-not-respawning">CSDM not respawning</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Players spawn stuck inside walls or all in one spot</strong> &mdash; the map has no preset spawns; switch <code>spawnmode</code> to a non-preset mode or add spawn points for that map.</li>
<li><strong>No weapon menu on spawn</strong> &mdash; <code>csdm_equip.amxx</code> is not in <code>plugins.ini</code> or equipment is disabled in <code>csdm.cfg</code>.</li>
<li><strong><code>csdm_main.amxx</code> shows <code>bad load</code></strong> in <code>amxx plugins</code> &mdash; the CSDM module is missing or AMX Mod X is the wrong version. Reinstall the matching package.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Verification</h2>
<p>Join the server, get killed, and confirm you respawn within your configured delay with the weapon menu appearing. Run <code>amxx plugins</code> and check that every <code>csdm_*</code> plugin reads <code>running</code>, not <code>paused</code> or <code>bad load</code>. If respawning works and the equip menu pops on spawn, CSDM is installed correctly.</p>