Davo’s L4D2 Guide

Contents
1. Getting the Game (Free)

2. Starting the Game

3. Online

3.1 Setting up for Online

3.2 Playing Online

4. In-Game Advice

5. Plugins

5.1 Installing Plugins

5.2 Recommended Plugins

6. Modding

6.1 General Modding

6.2 My Mods

7. My L4D2 GitHub Repository

8. Getting Help

9. Miscellaneous Help

1. Getting the Game (Free)

1.​ Get a good torrent client (if you haven't got one)
○​ https://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
○​ OR https://www.qbittorrent.org/
2.​ Get torrent
○​ Use a magnet link from: https://fitgirl-repacks.site/left-4-dead-2/
■​ This will always be up-to-date, the other 2 sources may not be in the future
○​ OR Get torrent file from FitgirlPastebin
○​ OR Get torrent file from MediaFire
3.​ Open torrent with client and download
○​ Make sure to de-select language packs that you don't need!
■​ Should reduce the download size to ~4.6GB

■​
4.​ Install the game by running setup.exe
○​ English version decompresses to ~13.7GB
○​ Btw you shouldn't need the installer anymore once the game is up and running

○​
P.S - If torrenting isn’t suitable for you, I’ve uploaded this FitGirl version to GDrive here.

2. Starting the Game

●​ Run SmartSteamLoader.exe as administrator every time you start the game!
○​ Don't run Left4Dead2.exe
■​ It will play the intro video then crash with the error below:
■​ "Engine Error: Steam is not running. You must start Steam in order to play this game."
●​ To make starting the game easier in the future:
○​ Right-click SmartSteamLoader.exe -> Select Properties
○​ Go to the Compatibility tab
■​ Compatibility mode -> Checkmark it -> Windows 8 (makes game more stable)
■​ Checkmark “Run this program as an administrator”
○​ You can now right-click on SmartSteamLoader.exe and paste a shortcut wherever
you desire

○​
●​ If your game is crashing during the loading screen, try this:
○​ 1. Rename the "SmartSteamEmu" folder to "SmartSteamEmu_DISABLED"
■​ This will disable SSEOverlay.dll
○​ 2. Run "SmartSteamLoader.exe" as admin
○​ 3. Should start well, then exit once you are in the menu
○​ 4. Change the folder name back to normal, "SmartSteamEmu"
■​ Re-enables SSEOverlay.dll
○​ 5. Game should be fixed
■​ Note: If your game still crashes will the overlay disabled, that is okay.
●​ Just leave it disabled.
●​ You will still be able to play online, but you’ll need to use the built-in
menus to join the lobby.
●​ If you are getting Microsoft Visual C++ Package errors (e.g. MSVCP100.dll not found), then
try getting all visual C++ packages from here

3. Online

3.1 Setting up for Online

●​ All players need to install Radmin VPN

●​ All players need to configure their "SmartSteamEmu.ini" before starting the game
○​ 1. Download a configured "SmartSteamEmu.ini" file
○​ 2. Copy and paste it into the installation folder
■​ Overwrite the default one that is there already
■​ Next to SmartSteamLoader.exe
○​ 3. Open the file with your favorite text editor
■​ I recommend Notepad++
○​ 4. Search (Ctrl+F) for "CHANGE THIS VALUE" and edit the areas that come up
■​ Be sure to change:
●​ AvatarFilename
●​ PersonaName
●​ OnlineKey (if you don't know me)
■​ Note: See the comments in the file for what these variables are/mean

●​ I recommend having left4dead2.exe set to private networks only in Windows Firewall.

○​

3.2 Playing Online

1.​ Everyone needs to do the preparation process in the previous section
2.​ One person makes a private network in Radmin
○​ Note: Password needs to be at least six characters
3.​ Everyone joins it
○​ Check that everyone comes up as connected
○​ Btw you can change your Radmin name by right-clicking on it when online
4.​ Everyone launches the game
○​ Make sure your Radmin is ‘fresh’
■​ If you start Radmin, then play for a bit, then close the game but keep Radmin open, then try
to play again, the game may not start.
5.​ One person must make a lobby
○​ Choose a game mode
○​ Select “Play with Friends”
○​ Create new <game mode>
○​ Make sure "Server Type" is "Local Server"
○​ Invite friends (SSEOverlay will pop up automatically)
6.​ You can use Shift+Tab to bring up the SSEOverlay manually and message friends

4. In-Game Advice
●​ As for gameplay advice, this article is a really good guide!
○​ Steam Community Guide - A comprehensive list of tips and tricks for L4D2
●​ Video Settings
○​ Turn down video/graphics settings if you have low FPS or if you are lagging

○​
●​ Brightness Setting
○​ Turn brightness to maximum to increase visibility
○​ Sometimes changing brightness is disabled
○​ Alternative solution: The Better Flashlight plugin (search guide)
●​ Audio Settings

○​
○​ If you are going to do a voice chat with friends on Discord:
■​ The game is really loud, so turn down the volume, maybe turn off the music
■​ Turn off the in-game voice chat

5. Plugins
Getting plugins is totally optional and is only for tweaking your game experience.

5.1 Installing Plugins

1.​ Download MetaMod by clicking on your operating system’s symbol
○​ SourceMod is dependent on MetaMod
2.​ Download SourceMod by clicking on your operating system’s symbol
3.​ Extract both archives into your downloads folder, combining them
○​ You should now have two folders there: ‘addons’ and ‘cfg’
○​ You can delete the archives now
4.​ Open the folder where you installed L4D2 (i.e. where left4dead2.exe is)
○​ By default, I think it is: “C:\Games\Left 4 Dead 2”
○​ For me, I chose: “C:\Users\%username%\Games\Left 4 Dead 2\Components”

5.​ You should find a folder there called “left4dead2”

○​
6.​ Cut and paste both ‘addons’ and ‘cfg’ into the “left4dead2” folder
○​ You’ll combine their contents with the folders already there
7.​ Now that you have installed SourceMod, you can install any SourceMod plugin
○​ Here is a link to all L4D2 Plugins on sourcemod.net
○​ The plugin page or README will tell you where to put the files
■​ e.g. All “.smx” files will go in:
●​ “<INSTALL LOCATION>\left4dead2\addons\sourcemod\plugins”
○​ Plugins are usually very small and very fast. They won't slow down your game
8.​ When you start your game, plugins will be loaded automatically
○​ If someone has plugins and makes the local server lobby, everyone will have them!
9.​ To check or debug your plugins:
○​ Enable the developer console
■​ Options -> Keyboard/Mouse

■​
○​ Load a game mode
■​ I use Campaign -> Single Player -> Dead Center -> 2: Streets
○​ Press tilde (~) to bring up the developer console
○​ Type “sm plugins list” to see all the plugins you have installed
■​ If there are any plugin issues, you will be notified after using this command

■​
○​ For more SourceMod plugin commands, use “sm plugins help”

5.2 Recommended Plugins

See this section if you want to get my (mod + plugin) setup directly instead of recreating it
yourself.

★​ Weapon Auto Fire Plugin

○​ Allows you to continue shooting pistols and shotguns while holding the attack
button/left mouse. No more clicking rapidly/constantly with them!
○​ Prevents RSI, really good, a ‘must-have plugin’ in my opinion
○​ I recommend the plugin author “Marttt”, in general. Here are all his plugins.

★​ Healthbars
○​ Give all special zombies health bars so you can gauge how much damage they have
taken and see/distinguish them from a distance!
○​ By default, only Tanks will have health bars, so do this:
■​ Open “<INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\l4d_hp_laser.cfg"
■​ Search for 127
■​ l4d_hp_laser_si "127"
■​ This will ensure that all special zombies have health bars

★​ Dynamic Light (Better Flashlight)

○​ Much brighter, No more of those dark rooms/toilets where you can’t see!
○​ Press F twice to toggle on/off
■​ Note: Conflicts with Item Drop mod
●​ Solution 1: Keep on by default and use G for Item Drop
●​ Solution 2: Get Teammate Flashlight
○​ Open “<INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\l4d_dynamic_light.cfg”
■​ l4d_dynamic_light_bots "1"
■​ l4d_dynamic_light_default "1"
■​ l4d_dynamic_light_hide "0"
■​ l4d_dynamic_light_distance "3000"

★​ Teammate Flashlight (Better Flashlight - Alternative)

○​ Also much brighter, No more of those dark rooms/toilets where you can’t see!
○​ Cannot be turned off, and may not apply to bots
○​ Open: <INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\l4d_teammate_light.cfg
■​ l4d_teammate_light_bright "1.5"
■​ l4d_teammate_light_distance "3000"
■​ l4d_teammate_light_hide "0"
■​ l4d_teammate_light_hull "0"
■​ l4d_teammate_light_ignore "1”
■​ l4d_teammate_light_size "200.0"​

★​ Item Drop
○​ Open …\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\l4d12_drop.cfg
■​ l4d_drop_enable "1"
■​ Set all other values to zero!
○​ If you don’t want to double press F to activate (e.g. because of flashlight plugin):
■​ Type ‘/drop’ in the chat (Press ‘u’)
○​ To assign dropping to a key:
■​ Add +exec autoexec.cfg to launch options

■​
■​ Make autoexec.cfg in cfg folder
■​ Add: bind "G" "say /drop"

★​ Tanks can be staggered

○​ Depends on DHooks Direct
■​ Depends on DHooks
○​ Open “<INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\l4d_stagger_tank.cfg”
■​ l4d_stagger_tank_ability_throw "1"
○​ Open “<INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\addons\sourcemod\data\l4d_stagger_tank.cfg”
■​ "l4d_stagger_tank"
■​ {
■​ "default"
■​ {
■​ "enable" "1"
■​ "normal" "1"
■​ "explosive" "100"
■​ "incendiary" "75"
■​ "shove" "0"
■​ }

★​ Stronger Guns
○​ Configurable, makes the game a bit easier
○​ I halve the values, and make snipers strong
○​ …\left4dead2\cfg\sourcemod\gun_damage_booster.cfg

★​ Disable Friendly Fire

○​ Prevent some bullying, make the game a bit easier
○​
★​ Item Beams like Borderlands
○​ Makes items way easier to find and see from a distance

★​ Switch between bots in your team

○​ Type “sb_takecontrol” or “sm_sb” in Dev Console
○​ Add alias to autoexec:
○​ // Switch bots
○​ alias "switch" "sb_takecontrol; sm_sb"
○​

★​ Get unstuck
○​ Type !stuck in chat

★​ Announce who made explosion

★​ Announce who threw something
★​ Announce who destroyed tank rock

6. Modding
Getting mods is totally optional and is only for tweaking your game experience.​

6.1 General Modding

●​ Getting Mods:
○​ Download using SteamWorkshop and SteamWorkshopDownloader
○​ Download from L4D2 Gamemaps
●​ Installing
○​ To install .vpk mods, simply place them in “<INSTALL LOC>\left4dead2\addons”
○​ They can be renamed without consequence
○​ They will be installed automatically
○​ They will come up in the in-game “Addons” menu
●​ Testing
○​ At the main menu:
■​ Turn on the Dev Console, Press tilde (~)
■​ sv_cheats 1
■​ map c1m2_streets (See other maps here)
○​ In game, do: z_spawn tank , z_spawn witch, z_spawn boomer etc.
■​ See the wiki for more info/commands
●​ Playing Online:
○​ Everybody needs to have the same mods downloaded!
■​ Otherwise they won’t be able to connect!
■​ You might be able to force bypass by doing “sv_consistency 0”
●​ Do in the Dev Console
○​ To prevent consistency errors permanently:
■​ Add +sv_consistency 0 to the end of the Target line

■​

6.2 My Mods
See my Steam mod collection here:
https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=2772757827
See this section if you want to get my (mod + plugin) setup directly instead of recreating it
yourself.

7. My L4D2 GitHub Repository

The Repo Link:

https://github.com/DavoDC/Davo_L4D2_Installation

●​ Benefits of using GitHub for this purpose

○​ Its easier for me to update my configuration, and its easier for for users to receive
my updates
■​ Only what has changed needs to be uploaded/download
■​ I can remove files as well
○​ GitHub storage is free and unlimited (kinda)
○​ GitHub is a great service in general
■​ Here is my cheat sheet on using GitHub, if you’re interested

●​ Opening the Git CLI in the right place

○​ Install the Git CLI (only needs to be done once)
○​ Navigate to your installation folder in your File Explorer
○​ You should see left4dead2.exe etc.
○​ Right click an empty space and select “Git Bash Here”

■​

●​ Getting all my mods, plugins and plugin configurations

○​ Open the Git CLI in the right place
○​ Maximize the shell window (as you’ll putting in a long, important command)
○​ Paste in and run this command:
■​ git clone https://github.com/DavoDC/Davo_L4D2_Installation .
●​ Notice the dot at the end, it is vital
●​ The dot ensures it goes into the current folder and not another
○​ Keep the shell window open while the download occurs
○​ You only need to do this process once!!

●​ To check for updates (doesn’t change any files):

○​ Open the Git CLI in the right place
○​ Paste in and run this command:
■​ git fetch && git status
○​ This message means you are up-to-date:
■​ On branch main. Your branch is up to date with 'origin/main'.
nothing to commit, working tree clean
■​ If it doesn't give this message and mentions “git pull”, then you aren’t

●​ To receive/download updates
○​ Open the Git CLI in the right place
○​ Paste in and run this command:
■​ git pull
○​ Keep the shell window open while the update occurs
○​ You can check for updates again to check if the update was successful

8. Getting Help
If you need further help:
1.​ Go to https://fitgirl-repacks.site/left-4-dead-2/
2.​ Post your issue in detail in the Disqus comments section
○​ How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

If you want to contact me, this is my Disqus profile

If you reply to one of my comments, I may get notified and respond

9. Miscellaneous Help

Playing online using commands

●​ http://pcgamemonster.blogspot.com/2012/06/left-4-dead-2-lan-offline.html
●​ May enable you to play with people with legit/Steam copy
●​ Different versions should work as long as network version is the same
○​ In version command output

Check version of game

●​ Open dev console
●​ Type 'version' and press enter
●​ Output will tell version.
●​ Example:
○​ ] version
○​ Version 2.2.0.2 (left4dead2)
○​ Network Version 2.1.0.0
○​ Exe build: 21:05:11 Sep 15 2020 (7970) (550)

Downloading the newest version

●​ Look through Steam Underground forum and find newest
○​ This is the safe/reliable way (recommended by FitGirl) but hard
○​ e.g. Around 17/02/22, found 02 Feb 2022 post
■​ Note: This is version 2.2.2.3 (has since become out of date, 2.2.2.4 was
released!)
■​ Re-uploaded myself at this GDrive folder link to make it much easier!
●​ Use “DOWNLOAD ALL” button
●​ NOTE: BECAME OUT OF DATE
●​ MediaFire Mirror Link (only partial)
■​ Downloaded Google Drive Link using Google Drive max downloads trick (tricky!)
●​ Step 1 - Sign into google
●​ Step 2 - Star the RAR download
●​ Step 3 - Upload small dummy text file and star it!
●​ Step 4 - Select both under “Starred” and click download
●​ Step 5 - Will take a while to zip then will download fast

●​ Here are easier alternatives but I don’t fully trust and haven’t used
○​ Site: freetp.org
■​ Haven’t tried yet
○​ Site: se7en
■​ I’ve tried to play with people who had this, 7 launcher version
■​ I don’t recommend because game is incompatible with all others!
■​ When you try to connect, you get Steam validation and Lan class C errors

Configuring versions of Left 4 Dead 2 that won’t open normally:

●​ When you get that “Steam must be running issue”, here is what you can do..
●​ Go to install directory (where left4dead2.exe is)
●​ Put in SmartSteamLoader.exe (SSL.exe) and SmartSteamEmu.ini (SSE.ini)
○​ Can get from installed FitGirl version
○​ OR get from clean SSE
●​ Put in the Goldberg Steam DLL (steam_api.dll)
●​ Edit SSE.ini
●​ SteamClientPath = steam_api.dll
○​ We tell SSL.exe to use Goldberg DLL
●​ CommandLine = -steam -novid -insecure +sv_consistency 0
○​ Insecure solves some connection errors
●​ Offline = 1
●​ Turn off online key
●​ Run SSL.exe as admin

Using full resolution on windowed mode

●​ Sometimes there is no option to do this
●​ It comes from your left4dead2.exe
●​ To fix this, I simply overwrote mine with FitGirl’s exe

Changing name when using Goldberg DLL

1.​ Win+ R
2.​ Paste in:
○​ C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Goldberg SteamEmu Saves\settings

3.​ Change name by editing: account_name.txt

Versing randoms / Finding people to play with

●​ 1) Turn off your OnlineKey in your INI so you can verse randoms
●​ 2) For more people, on Radmin, try: Network -> Join Existing -> Gaming -> Left 4 Dead 2
●​ 3) Try joining random public lobbies (using Play Online and Play with Friends in menu)
●​ 4) Make a public lobby and try inviting everyone who pops up in your friend list
●​ 5) Find people to play with on Discord. Some servers you can use:
○​ https://discord.gg/Rzw9cK2HYw (L4D)
○​ https://discord.gg/g4tHPHAPTT (Radmin, see #left-4-dead)
○​ https://discord.gg/3hDtfkNsrD (Gaming Hub)

Playing with different versions online

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=685418185​
​
Finding screenshots
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2\screenshots