Vehicle Weapon Balance Init Reference

Vehicle Weapon Balance Init (Common_BalanceInit per-class armament rebalance)

Source-verified 2026-06-21 against master 0139a346. Paths relative to Missions/[55-2hc]warfarev2_073v48co.chernarus/ unless noted. Arma 2 OA 1.64.

BalanceInit is the client-side function that normalizes each vehicle's engine-default armament to a mission-tuned loadout the moment it spawns or rearms. It is a single typeOf-dispatched switch over roughly 35 vehicle classes: each case strips the stock magazines/weapons and adds the rebalanced set, so a Su-34 carries split R-73 packs, an A-10A trades cluster ordnance for FFAR + Mk82, and a few top-tier ground vehicles only keep their best weapon when the side's factory upgrade is high enough. This page documents the dispatch, the per-class strip/reload tables, the isServer skip gate, the upgrade-gated ground cases, and every call site. It is distinct from Vehicle-Equip-And-Rearm-Function-Reference, which only names BalanceInit as one step in the rearm flow and never documents what it changes.

Function summary

Aspect	Value	Source
Global name	BalanceInit	Common/Init/Init_Common.sqf:17
Defined as	BalanceInit = Compile preprocessFileLineNumbers "Common\Functions\Common_BalanceInit.sqf";	Common/Init/Init_Common.sqf:17
Argument (_this)	the vehicle object to rebalance	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:6
Return	none (side-effects only: add/remove magazine/weapon)	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:6-363
Local var	Private["_currentFactoryLevel"]; (used by upgrade-gated cases)	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:1,314,322,344,358
File length	364 lines	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:364

The isServer skip gate

The body's first executable statement bails out on the dedicated server. The comment explains why: adding the Pandur and BTR-90 cases made the script capable of an occasional freeze if run server-side, so it now runs only on clients.

Line	Statement	Effect	Source
3	// After adding Pandur and BTR-90 to this script, it's necessary to exit on the server to prevent an occassional freeze	rationale comment	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:3
4	if (isServer) exitWith {};	function does nothing on a server instance	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:4

Because of this gate, every call site (including the server-side ones) relies on the function being a no-op on the headless/dedicated server and only doing real work on player clients. The upgrade-gated cases below also depend on a local player, so they are inherently client-only.

Dispatch

A single switch (typeOf _this) do { ... } maps the exact vehicle class string to its rebalance case. Unlisted classes fall through silently (there is no default case, so they are left untouched).

Line	Statement	Source
6	switch (typeOf _this) do	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:6

Several cases are present but intentionally empty (no rebalance, but explicitly listed so the engine default is "approved"): Mi24_D_CZ_ACR (:130-131), AH64D_EP1 (:142-143), BAF_Apache_AH1_D (:146-147), Ka52Black (:214-215).

Fixed-wing jets (AF-tagged)

Each case is commented with the in-mission air tier tag [AFn] and a pylon count. The strip/reload swaps the stock launcher+magazine for a rebalanced loadout.

Class	Tag (comment)	Removed	Added	Source
Su34	[AF5] 10 pylons	mag 4Rnd_R73; wpn R73Launcher	mag 2Rnd_R73 x2; wpn R73Launcher_2	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:9-15
Su25_Ins	[AF3] 6 pylons	mags 2Rnd_R73, 80Rnd_S8T; wpns R73Launcher_2, S8Launcher	mag 64Rnd_57mm; wpn 57mmLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:18-25
Su25_TK_EP1	[AF4] 8 pylons	mags 4Rnd_FAB_250, 80Rnd_S8T; wpns AirBombLauncher, 80mmLauncher	mags 4Rnd_AT9_Mi24P x2, 40Rnd_S8T; wpns AT9Launcher, S8Launcher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:28-38
Su39	[AF5] 10 pylons	mags 4Rnd_FAB_250, 80Rnd_S8T, 4Rnd_Ch29; wpns AirBombLauncher, 80mmLauncher, Ch29Launcher	mags 12Rnd_Vikhr_KA50, 40Rnd_S8T x2; wpns VikhrLauncher, S8Launcher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:41-53
L39_TK_EP1	[AF3] 4 pylons	(none)	mags 2Rnd_R73, 60Rnd_CMFlareMagazine; wpns R73Launcher_2, CMFlareLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:56-61
F35B	[AF5] 6 pylons	(none)	mag 2Rnd_Maverick_A10; wpn MaverickLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:64-67
L159_ACR	[AF3] 6 pylons	mag 4Rnd_Maverick_L159; wpn MaverickLauncher_ACR	mags 2Rnd_Maverick_A10, 38Rnd_FFAR; wpns MaverickLauncher, FFARLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:70-77
A10	[AF3] 4 pylons	mags 14Rnd_FFAR, 4Rnd_GBU12, 2Rnd_Sidewinder_AH1Z, 2Rnd_Maverick_A10; wpns FFARLauncher_14, BombLauncherA10, SidewinderLaucher_AH1Z, MaverickLauncher	mags 38Rnd_FFAR, 6Rnd_Mk82; wpns FFARLauncher, Mk82BombLauncher_6	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:80-93
A10_US_EP1	[AF4] 8 pylons	mags 14Rnd_FFAR, 4Rnd_GBU12; wpns FFARLauncher_14, BombLauncherA10	mags 38Rnd_FFAR, 6Rnd_Mk82; wpns FFARLauncher, Mk82BombLauncher_6	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:96-105
AV8B	[AF4] 8 pylons	mag 6Rnd_GBU12_AV8B; wpn BombLauncher	mag 2Rnd_GBU12 x3; wpn BombLauncherF35	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:108-115
AV8B2	[AF5] 8 pylons	mags 14Rnd_FFAR, 6Rnd_Mk82; wpns FFARLauncher_14, Mk82BombLauncher_6	mag 2Rnd_Maverick_A10 x3; wpn MaverickLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:118-127
An2_TK_EP1	[AF1] 10 pylons	(none)	mags 60Rnd_CMFlareMagazine, 500Rnd_TwinVickers x2, 4Rnd_FAB_250; wpns CMFlareLauncher, TwinVickers, AirBombLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:228-236

Rotary-wing (AF-tagged, turret/pylon path)

Helicopter armament lives on turret paths, so these cases use the ...MagazineTurret/...WeaponTurret commands. Most use the special turret index [-1], which Arma 2 OA resolves to "all turrets" for add/remove operations (see Turret index notes below). Some helos use plain (hull) addMagazine/addWeapon for their pylon-mounted ordnance, mirroring the jet pattern, plus a [-1] turret swap for the nose/wing gun.

Class	Tag (comment)	Removed	Added	Source
AH64D	[AF3] 4 pylons	mag 8Rnd_Hellfire; wpn HellfireLauncher	mag 6Rnd_TOW2; wpn TOWLauncherSingle	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:134-139
AH1Z	[AF5] 4 pylons	mags 8Rnd_Hellfire, 2Rnd_Sidewinder_AH1Z; wpn SidewinderLaucher_AH1Z	mag 8Rnd_Hellfire x2	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:150-156
AW159_Lynx_BAF	[AF3] 4 pylons	turret [-1] mags 12Rnd_CRV7, 1200Rnd_20mm_M621; turret wpns CRV7_PG, BAF_M621	turret [-1] mags 200Rnd_40mmHE_FV510, 200Rnd_40mmSABOT_FV510, 6Rnd_CRV7_HEPD, 2Rnd_Spike_ACR x2; turret wpns CTWS, CRV7_HEPD, SpikeLauncher_ACR	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:159-172
Mi24_V	[AF3] 4 pylons	mag 4Rnd_AT6_Mi24V; wpn AT6Launcher	mag 4Rnd_AT9_Mi24P; wpn AT9Launcher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:175-180
Mi24_P	[AF3] 4 pylons	hull mag 4Rnd_AT9_Mi24P x2; turret [-1] mags 2Rnd_FAB_250, 80Rnd_S8T; turret wpns HeliBombLauncher, 80mmLauncher	hull mag 4Rnd_AT9_Mi24P; turret [-1] mags 750Rnd_30mm_GSh301 x2, 64Rnd_57mm; turret wpn 57mmLauncher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:183-195
Mi24_D_TK_EP1	[AF3] 2 pylons	turret [-1] mag 128Rnd_57mm	turret [-1] mag 64Rnd_57mm	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:198-201
Ka52	[AF4] 8 pylons	mag 12Rnd_Vikhr_KA50; wpn VikhrLauncher	mag 4Rnd_AT9_Mi24P x3; wpn AT9Launcher	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:204-211
UH1Y	[AF2] 0 pylons	turret [-1] mag 14Rnd_FFAR (one)	turret [-1] mag 14Rnd_FFAR x4	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:287-293
AH6J_EP1	[AF2] 0 pylons	(none)	mag 14Rnd_FFAR	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:308-310

Ground vehicles (HF/LF-tagged, some upgrade-gated)

Ground cases carry a heavy-factory [HFn] or light-factory [LFn] tag. The upgrade-gated ones read the side's factory level and strip the top-tier weapon if the level is too low (see next section). Plain ground cases simply swap magazines/weapons.

Class	Tag (comment)	Removed	Added	Gate	Source
M6_EP1	[HF4]	mag 4Rnd_Stinger x3; wpn StingerLaucher_4x	mag 8Rnd_9M311; wpn 9M311Laucher	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:218-225
T34_TK_EP1	[HF1]	(none)	hull mags 60Rnd_762x54_DT x7, 10Rnd_85mmAP; turret [1] mag 60Rnd_762x54_DT x5	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:239-253
T34_TK_GUE_EP1	[HF1]	(none)	hull mags 60Rnd_762x54_DT x7, 10Rnd_85mmAP; turret [1] mag 60Rnd_762x54_DT x5	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:256-270
M2A2_EP1	[HF1]	mag 2Rnd_TOW2 x5, 210Rnd_25mm_M242_HEI, 210Rnd_25mm_M242_APDS; wpns TOWLauncher, M242BC	wpn M242	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:273-284
BMP2_INS	[HF1]	(gated) wpn AT5LauncherSingle	(none)	WFBE_UP_HEAVY < 2 strips ATGM	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:313-318
BMP2_TK_EP1	[HF1]	(gated) wpn AT5LauncherSingle	(none)	WFBE_UP_HEAVY < 2 strips ATGM	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:321-326
M1128_MGS_EP1	[LF4]	(none)	turret [0] mag 6RND_105mm_APDS	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:329-331
BRDM2_ATGM_INS	[LF4]	turret [0] mag 5Rnd_AT5_BRDM2; turret wpn AT5Launcher	turret [0] mag 2Rnd_Igla x2; turret wpn Igla_twice	none	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:334-340
BTR90	[LF3]	(gated) wpn AT5LauncherSingle	(none)	WFBE_UP_LIGHT < 4 strips ATGM	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:343-348
Pandur2_ACR	[LF3]	turret [0] mags 140Rnd_30mm_ATKMK44_HE_ACR, 60Rnd_30mm_ATKMK44_AP_ACR; turret wpn ATKMK44_ACR; (gated) turret wpn SpikeLauncher_ACR	turret [0] mags 210Rnd_25mm_M242_APDS, 210Rnd_25mm_M242_HEI; turret wpn M242	WFBE_UP_LIGHT < 4 strips the Spike ATGM	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:351-362

Upgrade-gated cases (factory-level dependent)

Four cases read the calling player's side factory upgrade level and conditionally remove the vehicle's best weapon, so the strongest ordnance is locked behind research. They all use the same idiom: query WFBE_CO_FNC_GetSideUpgrades for side group player, index it by an upgrade constant, and strip the weapon below a threshold.

Class	Read	Constant value	Threshold / action	Source
BMP2_INS	((side group player) Call WFBE_CO_FNC_GetSideUpgrades) select WFBE_UP_HEAVY	WFBE_UP_HEAVY = 2	< 2 -> remove AT5LauncherSingle	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:314-317
BMP2_TK_EP1	... select WFBE_UP_HEAVY	WFBE_UP_HEAVY = 2	< 2 -> remove AT5LauncherSingle	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:322-325
BTR90	... select WFBE_UP_LIGHT	WFBE_UP_LIGHT = 1	< 4 -> remove AT5LauncherSingle	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:344-347
Pandur2_ACR	... select WFBE_UP_LIGHT	WFBE_UP_LIGHT = 1	< 4 -> remove turret [0] SpikeLauncher_ACR	Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:358-361

The upgrade index constants are defined in Common/Init/Init_CommonConstants.sqf:37-41: WFBE_UP_BARRACKS = 0, WFBE_UP_LIGHT = 1, WFBE_UP_HEAVY = 2, WFBE_UP_AIR = 3, WFBE_UP_PARATROOPERS = 4 (Init_CommonConstants.sqf:36-42). WFBE_CO_FNC_GetSideUpgrades is a switch (_this) over side that returns the side HQ's "wfbe_upgrades" array, with a 30-zero fallback for resistance/GUER (Common/Functions/Common_GetSideUpgrades.sqf:7-17; defined at Common/Init/Init_Common.sqf:143). The select WFBE_UP_* index therefore reads one element of that per-side upgrade array.

Turret index [-1]

The rotary cases and several others pass [-1] as the turret path to addMagazineTurret/removeWeaponTurret etc. In Arma 2 OA this special index targets all of the vehicle's turrets at once for the add/remove operation, which is why a single [-1] call rearms the whole turret set without enumerating each path. Ground cases that target a specific turret instead pass a concrete index such as [0] (e.g. Pandur2_ACR turret swaps, Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:352-357) or [1] (e.g. T34_TK_EP1 coax DT mags, Common/Functions/Common_BalanceInit.sqf:248-252).

Call sites

BalanceInit is invoked at vehicle creation (build/buy/start) and on rearm. Every call is gated on the mission parameter WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0; the two rearm paths additionally exclude M6_EP1 (its Stinger->9M311 swap should not re-run on every rearm). All real work happens client-side because of the isServer gate.

Caller	Line	Guard	Source
Client build (player-built unit)	(_vehicle) Call BalanceInit	WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0	Client/Functions/Client_BuildUnit.sqf:443
Server buy (purchased unit)	(_vehicle) Call BalanceInit	WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0	Server/Functions/Server_BuyUnit.sqf:178
Server init start vehicles (per side)	(_vehicle) Call BalanceInit	WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0	Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:678, :695
Rearm (base game)	(_vehicle) Call BalanceInit	WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0 && typeOf _vehicle != 'M6_EP1'	Common/Functions/Common_RearmVehicle.sqf:50
Rearm (OA)	(_vehicle) Call BalanceInit	WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING > 0 && typeOf _vehicle != 'M6_EP1'	Common/Functions/Common_RearmVehicleOA.sqf:37

The WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING parameter defaults to 1 (enabled) when nil — if (isNil "WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING") then {WFBE_C_UNITS_BALANCING = 1}; (Common/Init/Init_CommonConstants.sqf:928) — and is also exposed as a mission parameter (Rsc/Parameters.hpp:352).

Continue Reading

• Vehicle-Equip-And-Rearm-Function-Reference — the rearm flow that calls BalanceInit as one step
• Faction-Unit-And-Vehicle-Roster-Catalog — which factions field the classes rebalanced here
• Upgrades-And-Research-Atlas — the wfbe_upgrades array and WFBE_UP_* indices the gated cases read
• Upgrade-Research-Cross-Faction-Reference — LIGHT/HEAVY factory levels that gate BTR-90, Pandur, and BMP-2 ordnance
• Vehicle-Cargo-Equip-Loop-Bounds — related vehicle cargo/equip handling at spawn