Beginners Guide

Main SWAT 3/4 web resources

 * '''Mod DB
 * Currently this is the most significant community hub for SWAT 4 content.


 * '''Tactical Ape
 * Lots of general info on the SWAT 3/4 franchise.


 * 10-David
 * Unfortunately this website has been taken down, so the Internet Archive link has been provided.


 * SWAT Einsatz Team
 * DSK Multi-Gaming-Clan
 * Two German clans that seem to offer lots of game content for download.


 * Not to forget, this website also hosts a Custom Map Pack for SWAT 4.

Installing custom maps

 * 1) Download the maps you like. If they have installers (that is, .exe file extension) just click them and follow the on-screen instructions. Sometimes you need to supply the SWAT 4 installation directory if the installer doesn't detect it. If the files are compressed (.rar or .zip), then read below.
 * 2) Open the file with a file archiver, such as 7-Zip.
 * 3) Extract files that have the same extension separately according to the following:
 * 4) *If you know the map is for TSS ONLY, then replace "Content" with "ContentExpansion" below.
 * 5) * * .s4m => SWAT 4\Content\Maps
 * 6) * * .utx => SWAT 4\Content\Textures
 * 7) * * .usm => SWAT 4\Content\StaticMeshes
 * 8) Installing all the maps under Content does not prevent the game from running, but it may cause a crash if you try to play TSS only maps from vanilla SWAT 4.

Playing custom maps
First thing to know is that not all custom maps support all gamemodes. The maps have a naming convention in which SP or COOP only maps are given SP- prefix, and adversarial mode (BS, VIP, RD, Smash & Grab in TSS) maps have MP-. You can open maps that are for multiplayer only also in single player, but there'll be no AI teammates and also no enemies or civies. So how to play a map in single player? Unfortunately custom maps don't show up in the Career Menu and also not in the Quick Mission Maker, so you have to start them via console:

Opening maps

 * 1) Open the console (usually the key left to "1" or "~") and type in  without the quotes, whereas XYZ is the filename of the map without the extension. For example, if the mapname is "sp-dark_scarlet.s4m", type in  . See also other console commands.
 * 2) Now the map will start directly, so if you want to adjust your loadout you have to restart the map. To do that DO NOT use the restart button in the debrief screen, but open the console again and enter.

Alternatively you can use a mission loader tool that allows you to start SWAT 4 with a selected custom map.

Custom maps in multiplayer
If you are hosting a server, you'll see the custom maps show up in the same menu than the official maps – no extra effort required. But if you join a server that uses custom maps you don't have, you'll drop from the server as soon as one of these maps is being loaded. So basically you need to know which maps are on the server. Check the welcome messages, and go to the clan's website and have a look if they provide links to the maps, or even a map pack.

Major mods for SWAT 4
You've played every map a 100 times, you know each like the back of your hand and you're actually able to get 100% score standing on your head, and if that wasn't enough, you're also the ultimate multiplayer über-pwner?!? And now you are bored?!? Well, then the following modifications are for you, because they offer you new gameplay experiences, weapons and kit items, maps and other enhancements.

All of these mods will install themselves into seperate subfolders of the main SWAT 4 directory, so they don't overwrite any original files and thus you're still able to play the original, unmodified game.

11-99 Enhancement Mod v1.35
 * Author: Jaster Mereel
 * http://www.moddb.com/mods/11-99-enhancement-mod
 * Size: 249 MB (v1.3) + 12 MB (v1.35 patch)
 * Focus: General Gameplay

CODE 11 - Authentic SWAT Mod v1.12
 * Author: .338LapuaMagnum
 * Download
 * Size: 9 MB
 * Focus: Realism, Single Player
 * See the readme for changelog.

SWAT4 - The New York City Finest v1.0
 * Author: OfficerIgor
 * Download
 * Size: 37.7 MB
 * Focus: Realism, NYPD graphics

Major mods for SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate
Canadian Forces: Direct Action v4.1
 * Author: Canadian Army + many modders
 * Download
 * Size: 743 MB
 * Focus: Realism, Army Training
 * Description: Clearly the largest, most comprehensive mod. Lots of new maps and many other new features. The official website has disappeared, so it has to be downloaded elsewhere.

H.S.M. Enhancements Mod v3.0: Reloaded
 * Author: [ATL]Zeus_CST & [ATL]kAz
 * Download
 * Size: 66 MB
 * Focus: Gameplay
 * Description: Suspect AI is extremely fast in this one. Prepare to get instaripped.

SSF Realism Mod v3.2 FOR TSS
 * Author: SSF
 * Download
 * http://www.moddb.com/mods/ssf-realism-mod-32/downloads/ssf-realism-mod-v32
 * Size: 196 MB
 * Focus: Realism, Single Player & CO-OP

SAS Mod v1.0
 * Author: Franciswat & Jokeller
 * http://www.moddb.com/mods/sas-mod-v10-for-swat-4-expansion-tss
 * Size: 93 MB
 * Focus: Realism & Special Air Service (SAS) themed gameplay
 * Note: Version 1.0 contains a file 'SAS Mod.exe' which appears suspicous on virus scans. It is recommended to delete this exe, and run the mod from the bat shortcut provided.

Announced but unreleased mods
SWAT 4: Take Down 
 * Author: Hellbringer Entertainment & Co.
 * http://mods.moddb.com/8016/swat-4-take-down/