Getting started

Welcome to Armored Combat Extended! This guide will help you get up and running with ACE, from installation to spawning / creating your first vehicle.

What is ACE? ACE is a comprehensive engineering framework for Garry's Mod that replaces legacy building tools with realistic physics simulation and authentic components. From engines and drivetrains to advanced sensors and weaponry, ACE challenges you to solve real engineering problems. Whether you're new to advanced building or a veteran seeking depth, ACE rewards skill and creativity with systems that actually behave like their real-world counterparts. Actively developed since 2018 with a passionate community and consistent updates.

ACE is built for builders who want depth and realism in their creations, with full support for Expression 2 and Starfall scripting.

Prerequisites Before diving in, make sure you have:

Requirement

Description

Wiremod

Essential part of ACE. All inputs / outputs of the entities are controlled by it.

Contraption

A public framework, required for internal ACE functioning

Advanced Duplicator 2

Essential tool for saving your builds and using officially approved community creations right in your folder.

Nadmod

Sets up server / clientside permissions to edit(touch) someone else's contraptions. Not essential to have, but highly recommended.

Installation For detailed installation instructions, see our dedicated guide:
📖 How to install ACE

Quick Start: Subscribe to ACE on the Steam Workshop and ensure all dependencies are installed.

Essential & Recommended Addons ACE works best with a curated set of companion addons. Most of these addons will be found on many public servers. We maintain two official collections:

🔧 Core Collection ACE Essential Addons

Key addons include:

- Advanced Duplicator 2 - Save and share your creations

- Precision Tool - Exact prop positioning

- Proper Clipping - Visual and physical prop clipping

- Make Spherical - Gives props a perfect spherical collision mesh, preventing bouncing and clipping through the world (essential for wheels)

- Tank Track Tool - Realistic tank tracks

- Improved Stacker - Efficient prop stacking

- Smart Freezer/Remover - Quality of life tools

🎨 Extended Collection ACE Extended Addons

Additional recommendations:

- Camo Materials I & II - Military camouflage textures

- Extended Tank Texture Pack - More tank-related materials

- Extended Tank Sound Pack - Enhanced engine and weapon sounds

- War Thunder Sounds - Additional combat audio

- Fin 3 - Advanced aerodynamics

- InfMap - Infinite map for large-scale builds

💡 Tip: Subscribe to the full collections to ensure compatibility and enhance your building experience.

Understanding Wiremod Basics Before working with ACE, you need to understand the basics of Wiremod . ACE entities communicate through Wire — guns need Wire "signals" to fire, engines need Wire signals to control throttle, and so on.

What is Wiremod? Wiremod is an addon that lets you connect entities together using virtual "wires." Each Wire-compatible entity has:

- Inputs - Values the entity receives (e.g., "Fire" input on a gun)

- Outputs - Values the entity sends out (e.g., "Ammo" output showing remaining rounds)

The Wire Tool The Wire Tool is found in your spawn menu under:

Q Menu → Tools → Wire

To use it:

- Left-click on the entity you want to send a signal TO (the input)

- Left-click on the entity you want to send a signal FROM (the output)

- Select which input and output to connect in the menu that appears

Essential Wire Entities for Beginners Entity

What it does

Where to find it

Pod Controller

Lets you control Wire entities from a vehicle seat. Outputs your keyboard inputs (W, A, S, D, Mouse1, etc.) as Wire signals.

Q Menu → Entities → Wire → Vehicle Control → Pod Controller

Seat

A chair you sit in. Must be linked to Pod Controller to output controls.

Q Menu → Entities → Chairs

📖 For comprehensive Wiremod documentation, visit the Wiremod Wiki .

Your First Steps In-Game Accessing the ACE Menu
- Open your spawn menu (default: Q )

- Navigate to the ACE Menu on the right side

- Expand the ACE menu category

- Browse the subcategories for weapons, ammo, engines, etc.

Find useful articles here: LINK

Spawning Your First Entities Start simple to understand how the systems work:

- Spawn a basic gun (try a Heavy Machine Gun)

- Spawn compatible ammunition

- Link them together using the Wire tool or ACE linking tools

- Add a seat with pod controller to control the weapon

💡 Tip: Use the Armor Analyzer tool to test and understand penetration mechanics.

Your next step Try and learn all the tools to combine the effort in order to build a beautiful contraption. Decide what you want from ACE, be it a train, a tank, a plane and start off by reading wiki, experimenting, watching youtube tutorials, breaking down existing public creations either in AD2 or Stuff Street

Here is a list of some useful youtube videos you can watch (note, they may be not up-to-date with current state of ACE, however the basics are nearly the same)
https://www.youtube.com/@datdeadlymouse3890

Scripting with ACE ACE offers extensive scripting support for advanced users:

- Expression 2 - Typescript like language

- Starfall - Lua-based scripting with more power than E2 (most of the time)

These allow you to create sophisticated fire control systems, damage readouts, car control and more.

Summary You're now ready to start your ACE journey! Remember:

- ✅ Subscribe to the official collections for the best experience

- ✅ Install ACE and required addons

- ✅ Start simple and learn each system gradually

- ✅ Use the wiki articles to deep-dive into specific topics

- ✅ Don't be afraid to experiment!

- ✅ Don't hesitate and ask for help on this website or discord server .