Left 4 Dead 2 Game Modes and Mutations
All Left 4 Dead 2 server game modes: co-op, versus, survival, scavenge, realism, and mutations. Set the mode via mp_gamemode in server.cfg and change maps with changelevel.
L4D2 Game Modes
L4D2 supports seven official game modes plus mutations. The active mode is set via the mp_gamemode cvar in server.cfg or via RCON.
Official Game Modes
| Mode | mp_gamemode Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign (Co-op) | coop |
4 survivors fight through maps cooperatively |
| Versus | versus |
4 vs 4 — survivors vs player-controlled Special Infected |
| Team Versus | teamversus |
4v4 Versus with team rotation each map |
| Survival | survival |
Timed challenge — survive as long as possible against endless hordes |
| Scavenge | scavenge |
4v4 — survivors collect gas cans while infected defend |
| Team Scavenge | teamscavenge |
Scavenge with team rotation |
| Realism | realism |
Co-op variant — no survivor outlines, more lethal |
Setting the Game Mode
In server.cfg:
mp_gamemode "coop"
Or via RCON at runtime:
mp_gamemode versus
changelevel c1m1_hotel
Note: The game mode cvar resets when changing maps in some configurations. If this happens on your server, use SourceMod to enforce the mode (see the SourceMod article).
Mutations
Mutations are special game mode variants with unique rule twists. L4D2 includes 20 built-in mutations:
| Mutation | mp_gamemode Value |
|---|---|
| Last Man On Earth | mutation1 |
| Headshot! | mutation2 |
| Bleed Out | mutation3 |
| Hard Eight | mutation4 |
| Four Swordsmen | mutation5 |
| ... | mutation6 – mutation20 |
Set a mutation the same way as any mode:
mp_gamemode "mutation1"
changelevel c1m1_hotel
Custom community mutations can be added via .vpk files in the addons/ directory.
Changing Maps Mid-Game
Via RCON or server console:
changelevel c2m1_highway
Change map and mode simultaneously:
mp_gamemode versus
changelevel c1m1_hotel
Official Campaign Map Names
Dead Center: c1m1_hotel, c1m2_streets, c1m3_mall, c1m4_atrium
Dark Carnival: c2m1_highway, c2m2_fairgrounds, c2m3_coaster, c2m4_barns, c2m5_concert
Swamp Fever: c3m1_plankcountry, c3m2_swamp, c3m3_shantytown, c3m4_plantation
Hard Rain: c4m1_milltown_a, c4m2_sugarmill_a, c4m3_sugarmill_b, c4m4_milltown_b, c4m5_milltown_escape
The Parish: c5m1_waterfront, c5m2_park, c5m3_cemetery, c5m4_quarter, c5m5_bridge
The Passing: c6m1_riverbank, c6m2_bedlam, c6m3_port
Cold Stream: c13m1_alpinecreek, c13m2_southpinestream, c13m3_memorialbridge, c13m4_cutthroatcreek
The Sacrifice / No Mercy / Crash Course / Death Toll / Dead Air / Blood Harvest — available via the Last Stand update.