Walls
Every map gets a compact 3D copy of its solid walls. CS2FOW uses it to check, for each pair of players, whether anything of the enemy’s body can be seen.
Server-side anti-wallhack
CS2FOW
Wallhacks draw enemies from the position data your server sends. CS2FOW checks walls and smoke on the server, and when an enemy is fully hidden from a player it stops sending that player the enemy’s real live position. Players install nothing.
What it protects against
Wallhacks can’t draw what the server never sends.
A wallhack reads enemy positions from network updates. CS2FOW keeps a hidden enemy’s real live position out of those updates for the players who cannot see them.
Smoke
Live smoke blocks sight too, including its changing edges. An HE grenade inside an existing smoke briefly opens a gap, but a wall still wins.
Radar position leaks
It also helps against radar cheats that read live enemy positions, because a hidden enemy’s real position is not sent.
How it works
Plainly, in four steps.
Everything runs on your server. Players join as usual and install nothing.
Prepare the map
CS2FOW turns the map’s solid collision geometry into a fast search index. Installed maps are prepared automatically on the server; Workshop maps can also go through the online Map Baker.
Check the whole body
A background worker tests each enemy’s full hitbox shape against walls and smoke, with short forgiving checks for fast movement and ping.
Send only what can be seen
Before each network update, hidden enemies are either withheld or sent with a decoy position, depending on the mode. When the check is uncertain or runs out of time, the enemy stays visible.
Gameplay stays the same
The player is not moved on the server. Movement, collisions, hits, wallbangs and damage all work exactly as before.
Modes
Pick protection or performance.
Set with cs2fow_mode. Strict is the default.
cs2fow_mode 1
Strict (default)
Hidden enemies stay networked, but each player who can’t see them receives a decoy position instead of the real one. Needs a supported CS2 build and prepared map data.
cs2fow_mode 0
Exact hide
Uses the same wall and smoke checks but stops sending hidden enemies entirely. A hidden enemy can take a tick or two to redraw when they come into view.
cs2fow_mode 2
Performance
Only uses CS2’s own coarse visibility set (PVS). Cheaper and smoother, but weaker: wallhacks can still see some players behind walls or smoke. CS2FOW switches to this mode automatically if Strict is not available for your CS2 build or map.
Live release check
Checking…Compatibility
Recorded demos
Watch CS2FOW against a wallhack.
Short clips recorded on test servers. Videos load only when you open one.
Platform support
What you need.
- Windows x64 and Linux x64 CS2 dedicated servers
- Metamod 2.0.0.1469 (API 18) for current packages
- CPU with AVX support
- Official, custom and Workshop maps with usable physics data
Honest limits
What CS2FOW does not do.
- It limits what wallhacks can see. It does not stop every cheat, and it does not detect or ban anyone (that is CS2AC’s job).
- Sounds, bomb information, teammate callouts and last-known positions are still available to a cheat.
- Doors, breakable objects and moving props do not block sight yet.
- Fast-movement prediction is capped, so a fast mover can occasionally be revealed slightly early.
- If CS2FOW does not recognise your CS2 server build, or the map data is missing or does not match, it leaves players visible instead of guessing.
- I have not published a performance benchmark for a current supported version. Cost depends on the server, map, player count and mode.
FAQ
Questions about CS2FOW
Does it completely stop wallhacks?
No. It stops the server from sending a fully hidden enemy’s real live position when a wall or smoke blocks the view. Cheats can still use sounds, teammate information and an enemy’s last known position. In Performance mode, some hidden positions are still sent.
Will enemies appear late around corners?
CS2FOW checks extra points around the viewer’s shoulders and adds forgiveness for ping and fast movement to avoid late reveals. I have not confirmed its timing on a current live server, so check the compatibility status. If you see a problem, send me a clip on Discord.
Can players still wallbang?
Yes. The player is not moved on the server, so hits are still checked against the real position.
Does CS2FOW detect or ban wallhack users?
No. It limits the information sent to opponents. CS2AC is the plugin that checks for signs of cheating.
Do I need to prepare each map by hand?
Usually not. CS2FOW prepares installed maps on the server. If your host blocks that, use the online Map Baker and upload the prepared files yourself.
One key covers both plugins.
Plans start at $10/month for one server, with a 7-day free trial.