ArmorSim free modes primarily refer to the Plane (2D) mode and RADARSIM, both of which previously required paid DLC or separate access before developer Timerlan Galimov unlocked them permanently for all base game owners. In addition to these unlocked standalone environments, ArmorSim includes three distinct terminal-ballistic solver tiers in its standard sandbox: Normal, Advanced, and Ultra.
Following the release of Update 2.0 and Update 2.1, the developer removed the DLC requirement for supplemental simulation scenes. Players who own the standard build of ArmorSim can access these specialized modes directly from the main interface without extra microtransactions or paid add-ons.
Overview of ArmorSim Free Modes
The following table details the primary simulation modes available at no additional cost in the game build:
| Mode Name | Access Requirement | Primary Simulation Focus | Key Features Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane (2D) Mode | Free to all players (formerly DLC) | 2D structural and ballistics proving ground | Custom shaped charges, mines, structures, drone countermeasures, electrical circuits, and photo backgrounds |
| RADARSIM | Free to all players (RadarFreeAccess.Permanent) | Ground-based tracking and interception | Ground radar stations, target routes, altitude configuration, and conditional target engagement |
| Normal Solver | Base game sandbox | Fast analytic ballistics | Alekseevskii–Tate erosion integration, Recht–Ipson residual velocity, instant calculation |
| Advanced Solver | Base game sandbox | Layered and reactive armor analysis | Per-layer energy accounting, NERA packs, residual velocity breakdown per plate |
| Ultra / Super Solver | Base game sandbox | Continuum mechanics simulation | Axisymmetric Lagrangian mesh, Johnson–Cook plasticity, Mie-Grüneisen equation of state |
Plane (2D) Proving Ground Mode
Plane mode was originally gated behind a DLC package. Starting in ArmorSim Update 2.1, the developer made the 2D mode open to everyone. When entering Plane mode, the game displays an in-game notification noting that the mode is an unfinished alpha testing environment.
Subsequent major patches significantly expanded the scope of Plane mode into a broad physics workshop:
- Update 3.0.0 turned Plane mode into a proving ground with shaped charges, aerial bombs, and brick-and-concrete houses.
- Update 3.3.3 added a modular workshop system allowing players to assemble custom shaped charges, place gear on crew mannequins, and lay down custom obstacles.
- Update 4.0.0 integrated operational drones, drone countermeasure mechanics, electrical circuits containing 50 devices, and expanded blast wave calculations.
Players can also import custom image backdrops to build armor penetration scenes directly over photographic references.
RADARSIM Features and Access
Update 2.0 introduced RADARSIM through an explicit permanent free-access flag (RadarFreeAccess.Permanent), integrating 23 supporting code files directly into the base client. Update 2.1 reiterated that RADARSIM carries no supplemental purchase barrier.
RADARSIM focuses on sensor tracking and surface-to-air style engagement rather than kinetic armor penetration plates. The mode provides:
- An operational map view with ground-based radar tracking units.
- Configurable target flight paths, speeds, and operating altitudes.
- Real-time track observation.
- Conditional launch mechanics, allowing players to fire interceptors against targets tracked by radar stations.
Base Game Solvers: Normal, Advanced, and Ultra
Beyond the standalone Plane and RADARSIM scenes, the core 3D plate editor does not lock its mathematical engines behind a paywall. All three physics solvers are standard components of the primary simulation sandbox:
- Normal Mode: Intended for rapid trial-and-error. It resolves penetration instantly using analytic models such as Alekseevskii–Tate rod erosion, Rosenberg ricochet limits, and Grady fragment distributions.
- Advanced Mode: Exposes detailed per-layer readouts for multi-plate arrays, spaced composites, and non-explosive reactive armor (NERA). It provides exact wear fractions and residual velocities as penetrators pass through individual layers.
- Ultra (Super) Mode: ArmorSim's continuum solver. Instead of running fast equations, it calculates head-on axisymmetric impacts using a Lagrangian mesh, Johnson–Cook plasticity models, and adiabatic shear banding. Because Ultra mode is CPU-bound, solve times depend directly on the number of physical CPU cores rather than GPU framerates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy DLC to play Plane mode or RADARSIM?
No. Official patch announcements for Update 2.0 and Update 2.1 confirm that both Plane (2D) mode and RADARSIM are permanently free for all players who own the game, removing the previous DLC requirement.
Why does a warning appear when opening Plane mode?
Update 2.1 introduced Plane mode as an open alpha testing branch. The pop-up warning informs players that the mode is actively under development and may encounter performance or physics stability issues.
Can custom 3D models or layouts be loaded in free modes?
Yes. Official updates introduced support for loading custom 3D models, importing custom photos into Plane mode, and sharing armor configurations via the Steam Workshop.
What are the hardware requirements to run Ultra simulation mode?
The minimum system requirements specify Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560 GPU. The developer notes that Ultra mode is CPU-bound; having more physical CPU cores shortens solve times, rather than improving framerates.
