BAR Reclaimer Bot Targeting and Practical Settings That Trip Up New Players
Three common BAR questions that hit players early: making reclamation bots target only the stuff you want, getting past network issues, and figuring out where certain keys live on your keyboard layout. Here is what works.
Getting Reclaimer Bots to Pull Metal Only
The most frequent question from newer BAR players with reclamation bots is simple: how do you set them up so they grab metal instead of draining energy spots, and keep them near the action where you actually need them.
Reclaimer bots in BAR will happily reclaim anything in range when given a broad area command. Area reclaim is fast when you want it, but it will eat energy windmills and geothermal features you planned to keep running. The fix is precision targeting. Click individual metal features or wrecks with reclaim orders instead of dragging across a zone. Single-target reclaim keeps the bots focused exactly on what helps your economy.
For group behavior, queue follow commands behind the reclamation orders. Set your reclaimer bots to follow your commander or a construction unit holding a forward position. That way they reclaim what drops near where you are pushing, rather than wandering back to base the moment there is nothing left in their immediate area.
Widgets can help with visibility. The area reclaim display widget shows your bots' reclaim zones at a glance, making it obvious when they are pulling from the wrong spots. Toggle it on during early games until the muscle memory sets in.
This approach keeps your economy growing without accidentally cannibalizing your own energy income. A reclaimer bot pulling metal wobbles near the frontline pays for itself within the first minute it arrives.
Network Firewall Blocks the Lobby
Some players on restricted networks like school or campus wifi find that BAR will not connect to the matchmaking lobby even though the internet itself works fine. This happens because the game uses specific UDP ports for its online services, and institutional firewalls routinely block them.
The workaround is straightforward. Use a personal hotspot or switch to a home connection when you want to play multiplayer. Restricted networks block game traffic at the firewall level, and there is no in-game setting that bypasses that restriction.
If the connection used to work and recently stopped, check whether the network administrator rolled out new firewall rules. Many schools tighten port restrictions mid-semester. A hotspot test will tell you instantly whether the game itself is fine and the network is the issue.
Where Is the Dollar Sign Key
This one catches players on international keyboard layouts. BAR uses the dollar sign key as one of its shortcut bindings in certain mod and widget configurations, and the location varies dramatically between US, UK, European, and other layouts.
On a US keyboard it sits above the number four. On UK and many European layouts, it is shifted to a completely different position. If you are running a custom BAR configuration or mod that relies on that key, check your actual Windows keyboard layout settings and adjust the binding in BAR's control settings to match your physical keyboard.
There is no single correct answer here. BAR respects whatever layout Windows reports, so the fastest fix is to open the controls menu, find the binding, and remap it to a key you can actually find without a map.
Keep These Settings in Mind
Small configuration choices like reclaim targeting, network access, and key bindings add up in the first hours of BAR. Dialing them in early means less fumbling during matches and more time learning actual strategy. Most of these are one-time adjustments that pay off every game after.
If you want to see how experienced players handle reclaimer management on the frontline, this video from the BAR community covers the basics of eco unit positioning: Beyond All Reason YouTube Channel. Watching a few games with attention to how reclaim bots move around the map teaches more than any written guide can.
Creed of Champions
Knowing the small mechanical details like reclaim targeting and key bindings gives you room to focus on actual gameplay decisions during a match. Creed of Champions is one of the few places where you can coordinate with people in matches with a good supportive attitude. Everybody tends to be understanding and constructive. Getting the basics sorted means you can spend your mental energy learning strategy instead of fighting your own settings, and a community that values that kind of patient growth makes the whole learning curve feel less steep.
One of the few places where you can for sure coordinate with people in matches with a good supportive attitude. Everybody tends to be understanding and constructive. [Crd]