Squad Creation Blocker

The Squad Creation Blocker plugin prevents squads with custom names from being created within a specified time after a new game starts and at the end of a round. It includes anti-spam rate limiting with configurable warnings, cooldowns, and kick functionality to prevent players from overwhelming the system.

Features

• Timed Blocking: Prevents custom squad creation for a configurable period after new games
• Round End Blocking: Blocks custom squads during round transitions
• Default Squad Names: Optionally allows default squad names (e.g., "Squad 1") during blocking periods
• Anti-Spam Rate Limiting: Tracks and penalizes repeated squad creation attempts
• Cooldown System: Temporarily blocks players who spam squad creation
• Progressive Warnings: Escalating warnings before applying penalties
• Auto-Kick: Optional automatic kick for excessive spamming
• Flexible Scope: Apply rate limiting only during blocking periods or throughout entire matches
• Countdown Broadcasts: Optional public countdown announcements
• Polling System: Detects and disbands squads created outside the event system

Configuration Options

Core Settings

Rate Limiting

Advanced Settings

How It Works

Blocking Periods

1. New Game Start: When a new game starts, custom squad creation is blocked for block_duration seconds
2. Round End: When a round ends, all custom squad creation is blocked until the next game starts
3. Default Names: If allow_default_squad_names is true, players can still create squads with names like "Squad 1", "Squad 2", etc.

Rate Limiting System

The plugin tracks each player's squad creation attempts and applies progressive penalties:

1. Attempts 1-3 (default): Squad disbanded, warning sent
2. Attempts 4+: Player enters cooldown
3. During Cooldown: All squad creation blocked, periodic reminders sent
4. After Threshold: Player kicked if kick threshold reached

Cooldown Behavior

Two cooldown modes are available via reset_on_attempt:

• False (default): Cooldown must fully expire before new attempts trigger rate limiting
• True: Each new attempt resets the cooldown timer (more aggressive)

Rate Limiting Scope

• blocking_period_only (default): Rate limiting only applies during new game blocking periods
• entire_match: Rate limiting active throughout the entire match

Example Configurations

Default Configuration (Recommended)

{
  "block_duration": 15,
  "broadcast_mode": false,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true,
  "rate_limiting_scope": "blocking_period_only",
  "warning_threshold": 3,
  "cooldown_duration": 10,
  "kick_threshold": 20,
  "poll_interval": 1,
  "cooldown_warning_interval": 3,
  "reset_on_attempt": false
}

Strict Configuration (Aggressive Anti-Spam)

For servers with persistent spam issues:

{
  "block_duration": 20,
  "broadcast_mode": true,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true,
  "rate_limiting_scope": "entire_match",
  "warning_threshold": 2,
  "cooldown_duration": 15,
  "kick_threshold": 10,
  "poll_interval": 1,
  "cooldown_warning_interval": 5,
  "reset_on_attempt": true
}

Lenient Configuration (Minimal Blocking)

For servers that want minimal interference:

{
  "block_duration": 10,
  "broadcast_mode": false,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": false,
  "rate_limiting_scope": "blocking_period_only",
  "warning_threshold": 5,
  "cooldown_duration": 5,
  "kick_threshold": 0,
  "poll_interval": 2,
  "cooldown_warning_interval": 3,
  "reset_on_attempt": false
}

Broadcast Mode Configuration

For servers that want public announcements:

{
  "block_duration": 30,
  "broadcast_mode": true,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true,
  "rate_limiting_scope": "blocking_period_only",
  "warning_threshold": 3,
  "cooldown_duration": 10,
  "kick_threshold": 15,
  "poll_interval": 1,
  "cooldown_warning_interval": 3,
  "reset_on_attempt": false
}

Player Experience

Normal Player

1. New game starts
2. Player tries to create "Alpha Squad"
3. Squad is disbanded immediately
4. Player receives warning: "Please wait for 12 seconds before creating a custom squad. Default names (e.g. 'Squad 1') are allowed."
5. Player creates "Squad 1" - allowed
6. After 15 seconds, blocking period ends
7. Player can now create custom named squads

Spamming Player

1. Player repeatedly tries to create custom squads during blocking period
2. Attempt 1-3: Warnings about approaching cooldown
   • "Warning: Stop spamming squad creation! 2 more attempts before cooldown."
3. Attempt 4: Cooldown applied
   • "You are on cooldown for 10s due to squad creation spam. Stop spamming or you will be kicked!"
4. During cooldown: Periodic reminders
   • "Squad creation cooldown: 7 seconds remaining."
5. After cooldown expires: Can create squads again
6. If spamming continues: Player kicked at attempt 20 (if configured)

Broadcast Mode Experience

When broadcast_mode is enabled, all players see countdown messages:

[At 30s] Custom squad names unlock in 30s. Default names (e.g. "Squad 1") are allowed. Spammers get 10s cooldown.
[At 20s] Custom squad names unlock in 20s. Default names (e.g. "Squad 1") are allowed. Spammers get 10s cooldown.
[At 10s] Custom squad names unlock in 10s. Default names (e.g. "Squad 1") are allowed. Spammers get 10s cooldown.
[At 0s] Custom squad creation is now unlocked!

Use Cases

Prevent Early Game Chaos

Long block duration at game start gives players time to assess the map and plan properly:

{
  "block_duration": 30,
  "broadcast_mode": true
}

Stop Troll Names

Prevent inappropriate squad names during vulnerable periods:

{
  "block_duration": 15,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true
}

Enforce Naming Standards

Combined with other plugins, encourage proper squad naming:

{
  "rate_limiting_scope": "entire_match",
  "warning_threshold": 2,
  "cooldown_duration": 30
}

Important Notes

Squad Name Detection

• Default Names: Matched using regex pattern ^[Ss]quad \d+$
• Case Insensitive: "Squad 1", "squad 1", "SQUAD 1" all count as default
• Number Required: "Squad Alpha" is NOT a default name
• Spacing Matters: "Squad1" (no space) is NOT a default name

Event System + Polling

The plugin uses a dual detection system:

1. RCON Events: Catches most squad creations immediately
2. Polling System: Backup detection for squads that slip through
3. Known Squads: Tracks existing squads to avoid re-processing

Rate Limiting Persistence

• Per-Match: Rate limiting data resets at new games (if scope is blocking_period_only)
• Per-Player: Each player tracked independently
• Cooldown Warnings: Automatic cleanup when cooldowns expire
• Memory Efficient: Data cleared when players are kicked or cooldowns expire

Performance Considerations

• Polling Interval: Lower values (1s) provide better detection but use more resources
• Cooldown Warnings: Sent periodically to remind players without spamming
• Squad Tracking: Efficient map-based tracking minimizes overhead

Troubleshooting

Players Creating Custom Squads During Block Period

1. Check if block_duration has expired
2. Verify plugin is enabled and running
3. Check if squad name is actually a default name
4. Review server logs for RCON errors
5. Ensure poll_interval is not too high

Players Not Receiving Warnings

1. Verify broadcast_mode setting matches expectation
2. Check RCON connection is stable
3. Ensure player Steam ID is being captured correctly
4. Review rate limiting configuration

Squads Not Being Disbanded

1. Check RCON permissions for AdminDisbandSquad command
2. Verify team ID and squad ID parsing is correct
3. Enable debug logging to see disband commands
4. Test RCON connection manually

Rate Limiting Not Working

1. Verify enable_rate_limiting is true
2. Check rate_limiting_scope matches your desired behavior
3. Ensure warning_threshold is set appropriately
4. Review polling system functionality

False Positives

If default squads are being blocked:

1. Check allow_default_squad_names is true
2. Verify squad name format matches regex pattern
3. Test with exact names: "Squad 1", "Squad 2", etc.
4. Check for extra spaces or special characters

Tips

For Server Owners

• Start Conservative: Use default settings first, then adjust based on player behavior
• Monitor Logs: Watch for spam patterns to tune thresholds
• Test Thoroughly: Create test squads to verify blocking works as expected
• Communicate: Tell players about the blocking period in server rules
• Adjust Duration: Match block_duration to your server's typical setup time

For Administrators

• Watch New Games: Monitor first 30 seconds of new games for issues
• Track Spammers: Note Steam IDs of repeat offenders for potential bans
• Balance Settings: Too strict = frustrated players, too lenient = chaos
• Consider Broadcast: Public countdowns help players understand the system
• Test Rate Limits: Verify cooldowns work before enabling entire-match scope

Recommended Settings by Server Type

Competitive/Clan Server:

{
  "block_duration": 20,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true,
  "rate_limiting_scope": "blocking_period_only",
  "warning_threshold": 3,
  "kick_threshold": 15
}

Public Server:

{
  "block_duration": 15,
  "broadcast_mode": true,
  "enable_rate_limiting": true,
  "warning_threshold": 3,
  "kick_threshold": 20
}

Casual Server:

{
  "block_duration": 10,
  "enable_rate_limiting": false,
  "allow_default_squad_names": true
}

Technical Details

Event Subscriptions

• RCON_SQUAD_CREATED: Primary detection for squad creation
• LOG_GAME_EVENT_UNIFIED: Detection for NEW_GAME and ROUND_ENDED events

RCON Commands Used

• AdminDisbandSquad <teamID> <squadID>: Disband squads
• AdminWarn "<steamID>" <message>: Send warnings to players
• AdminKick "<steamID>" <reason>: Kick players for excessive spam
• AdminBroadcast <message>: Send server-wide announcements

Timing Precision

• Block duration: Accurate to the second
• Cooldown timers: Updated in real-time
• Polling: Configurable precision (1-second minimum recommended)
• Warning intervals: Configurable, prevents spam

Credits

Ported from the squadjs-squad-creation-blocker plugin.