Is it possible to use cheats on an Offline TF2 server without getting VAC banned

server-administrationteam-fortress-2

My friend thinks he can use cheats offline on Team Fortress 2 without being VAC banned. I think that he will still get banned for this. He then proceeded to tell me that if Valve cares so much about hacks then why would they make it so easy and simple to enable the developers console to do so.

I am just really confused and need somebody who knows from credible experience of this subject. Can you get VAC banned for using cheats offline on Team Fortress 2?

Best Answer

You will not get VAC banned for using cheats on your own server. As far as that is concerned you might as well be modding the game; what you do on your own is neither here nor there. In many ways it is easier to "cheat" on an offline server by using commands in the dev console such as sv_cheats 1. It is only considered cheating (to the point of getting VAC banned) if you use these mods/cheats on public servers where you would gain an unfair advantage, for the simple reason that it ruins the game for everyone else. In addition, a server must request VAC protection to actually use the VAC system, so if your friend does not enable that there is no way he'd be banned anyway.

In summary, your friend is free to use whatever cheats he pleases, so long as it is in offline mode only.