Welcome to the Swarm Mapping page. Below is decriptions of the unique features of Swarm, and examples of each of the types of gameplay that can be created. I do assume a few things, and that is your using Worldcraft 3.3, you know how to put a basic map together (in HL or any mod for that matter), and you know the difference between a brush and an entity. This information was created for Swarm Version 3, so some features will not work in previous Swarm versions, but will work in any versions afterwards.

The horizontal menu above is your navigational key to jumping from one Step to another.

Step 1 - Intro to Swarm Mapping

Swarm mapping is very simple, yet endless in possibilities. Swarm is a Half-Life MOD that allows users to play either Xen or Human classes. One destinct feature that sets Swarm apart from other MODS is that the mapper can use any monster entity in there Swarm maps. This includes scripting and all. So you have the option of creating a battlefield of AI Human's and Xen's with no 'real' players present. The sight of a 'empty server' can now be reserved for the other mods. :)

Swarm also has added some new options to the existing entities. By de-selecting the 'Smart-Edit' button, you can click the 'Add' button and type in "teamname" in the 'Key' field, and whatever team you want this entity to only effect, type it in the 'Value' input text box. This is great for making doors, turrets, trigger_hurt, etc... only effect one team. This is also how you can set AI too love or hate thou enemy.

Setting up Worldcraft 3.3 for Swarm mapping is no different than setting it up for HL or other mods like CounterStrike and TFC. Only thing you must remember is that you only load the swarm.fgd, and not the half-life.fgd. (or any others for that matter). Note that all Swarm maps must start with " sw_ ", for example, "sw_killermap".

According to Valve, you are allowed to use any textures from any of Valve's MODS. This includes CounterStrike, Team Fortress Classic, and Half-Life. There are also many other talented artists who have made custom .wad files, you just need to look around.

Step 2 - Swarm's Custom Entities

Below are the custom entities for Swarm located in the 'swarm.fgd' file. There are in order of what you would see in Worldcraft 3.3, and are as followed:

Every Swarm map must have the following entities:

Step 3 - Making a Capture the Crystal map (2 crystals, 1 destination zone)

I'll assume you already have Worldcraft 3.3 loaded, know how to use it at a novice level, and have a basic map already created (without swarm entites). This tutorial will describe step by step how to setup a simple "Capture the Crystal" type of gameplay, with 2 crystals, and 1 destination zone. If you don't have a basic map made, download mine here.

A) The following entities are invisible to the player, so place them somewhere away from any brushes and close together, I usually pick the area of the map with the biggest room.

swarm_team_human
swarm_team_xen
swarm_map_data
swarm_scenario

To keep things simple, we'll only edit the properties of the swarm_scenario. Click the "swarm_scenario" entity, and type [ALT]+[ENTER] to bring up the Properties window. Click the "Flags" tab and check the box that states "Allow Respawn". If you do not check this box, the gameplay will be like Counter-Strike where everyone has to wait until the round ends or everyone is dead.

B) Now add the info_start_player entity where-ever you want the user to "see" from when they join the game. (menu screen). Nothing gets edited here.

C) Now add the "swarm_spawn_point" entites where you want each team to start. To keep things simple, just add 3 swarm_spawn_points on each side of the map, and make sure they are not overlapping any brushes.

- Select one side and highlight all 3 swarm_spawn_point entities (hold [CTRL]+Mouse click).
- Type [ALT]+[ENTER] to bring up the properties window.
- Click the "Team Name" menu option.
- In the text box type "Human". (This is case sensitive, and must match whatever your "swarm_team_human" team name is).

Note that if you click the "Flags" tab, you have the option of making the team's allied (Friendly Fire OFF; by default this is set to Friendly fire ON).

Now go to your other 3 "swarm_spawn_point" entites and do the same thing, but make the "Team Name" say "Xen".

D) Now add the swarm_capture_mission entity to each side, this is what the player will see and steal. Place it on the ground. Open the properties window for this entity and edit the following:

- Click the "Team Name" menu option, and type in either "Xen" or "Human". Make sure the side with the Xen spawn points has the Human swarm_capture_mission entity, and vice-versa.
- Click the "Flags" tab, and select only the "Auto Return" and "Drop to Ground" checkboxes.

Take some time to look at the over options in the properties window. You can select everything here like points awarded, stolen voice/text msg, etc...

E) Now we need add the destination area, aka dropoff zone for the crystal carrier. Unlike other entites, this is a brush based one.

- Make a 64x64 square brush using the default texture (AAATRIGGER), place it in the middle of the hallway that seperates the two rooms.
- Click the "toEntity" button located on the right menu (you SHOULD know where this is). From the dropdown menu choose the entity "swarm_mission_destination".

Now this example map is semi-original because there are two crystals, and only one destination point. So whomever steal the others crystal, must also dominate the area around the destination zone to collect the point. Makes for great bloodshed and gameplay. :)

YEAH ALL DONE!. Easy eh? Test it out, enjoy. Come back and fiddle with some of the other settings and see what happens. If your still lost, download my completed example map here.

Step 4 - Making a Destroy map

Coming soon...