WC3Map
Multiplayer4 min read•

How to Host Warcraft 3 Custom Games

Hosting custom multiplayer games in Warcraft III allows you to play Tower Defenses, Hero Arenas, and RPGs with friends and the global community. Here is how hosting works across modern Battle.net and legacy clients.

1. Hosting on Modern Battle.net (Reforged)

In modern Warcraft III: Reforged, Blizzard utilizes cloud game servers to host multiplayer lobbies. This means individual players no longer need to configure port forwarding or open router settings to host online games on Battle.net.

  1. Open Custom Games: From the main menu, click Custom Games.
  2. Create Lobby: Click the Create button in the bottom right corner.
  3. Select Scenario: Browse your map library and choose the desired .w3x or .w3m map. If you downloaded a map from WC3Map, ensure it sits in your Documents\Warcraft III\Maps\Download\ folder.
  4. Set Lobby Properties: Enter a game name, select the server region (Americas, Europe, or Asia), and configure public visibility or set a lobby password for private friend groups.
  5. Launch Game: Once players fill the available slots, click Start Game.

2. In-Game Map Transfer & Downloads

When hosting a custom game on Battle.net, players who join your lobby do not need to download the map manually ahead of time. Warcraft III features built-in peer and server map distribution:

  • Players who do not have the map automatically download it inside the lobby.
  • The downloaded map is saved directly to their Maps\Download\ directory.
  • Maps under 128 MB transfer smoothly without external file sharing.

3. Hosting on Legacy Clients (Classic 1.26a / 1.27a)

On classic patches (such as 1.24e or 1.26a), hosting directly over classic Battle.net or direct IP connection requires your home router to forward port 6112 (TCP & UDP) to your local PC.

Forwarding Rule: Protocol TCP/UDP → Port 6112 → Internal IP (e.g., 192.168.1.X)

For classic players who cannot forward router ports, hosting is commonly handled via community hostbots or virtual LAN software.

Sources & Fact Verification

  • Hive Workshop: How to host? (verified October 19, 2026):https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/how-to-host.82616/"You need to add port 6112 TCP and UDP to all your firewalls, windows firewall, routers, liveboxes, everything that your net goes through."
  • Hive Workshop: How to host? (verified October 19, 2026):https://www.hiveworkshop.com/threads/how-to-host.82616/"And you also need to be sure to open port 6112 on your firewall."