Northstar
What Northstar is
Northstar is a free modding and custom server framework for Titanfall 2 on PC. Players can join community-hosted servers through its server browser or run their own servers with custom game modes, weapons, maps, and skins. Northstar can download custom mods, including maps and game modes, when players join a server. Frontier Defense is available as a PvE mode in vanilla and extended versions. Progression is disabled by default, leaving weapons and skins unlocked; players can toggle progression in the lobby. Northstar requires an owned and installed copy of Titanfall 2. The project recommends using an installer, which handles installation and updates, and also documents manual installation. Manual installs do not update automatically. Installer options listed on the official site are FlightCore, VTOL, and Viper, with platform support varying by installer. Documentation covers Linux and Steam Deck installation using Steam or Lutris, as well as modding, scripting, plugins, APIs, and dedicated server hosting for Linux and Windows. The project says users should expect bugs and crashes. Progress is separate from official servers and does not carry over. The FAQ says there will not be a console version.
Who it suits
Northstar suits Titanfall 2 players on PC who want to join community servers, use custom content, or run their own servers. It also suits modders and server hosts who want guides for scripting, plugins, APIs, and dedicated server setup.
What it does well
- Free to use.
- Joins community-hosted servers through a server browser.
- Supports custom game modes, weapons, maps, and skins.
- Provides modding, scripting, plugin, and API documentation.
- Includes Linux and Windows dedicated-server hosting documentation.
What to know first
- Requires owning and installing Titanfall 2.
- Manual installations do not update automatically.
- The project advises users to expect bugs and crashes.
- Progress does not carry over to official servers.
Limits
Northstar requires an installed copy of Titanfall 2 and is available only on PC. Progress is separate from official servers and does not carry over to them; manual installations do not update automatically.
Getting started
- Own and install Titanfall 2 on PC.
- Choose an installer such as FlightCore, VTOL, or Viper, checking its listed platform support.
- Install Northstar with the installer, which also handles updates.
- On first launch, respond to the prompt about authenticating to the master server; this can be changed later in the mods menu.
- Use the server browser to join community-hosted servers, or follow the dedicated-server documentation to host one.
Verdict
Choose Northstar if you own Titanfall 2 on PC and want community servers, custom content, or tools for running a server. Its installer handles updates, and the documentation covers manual installation and modding. Consider the separate progression, expected bugs and crashes, and lack of a console version before choosing it.
Questions
Does Northstar cost anything?
Northstar is free.
Which platforms does it support?
Northstar is available for Windows and Linux, and the documentation provides Linux and Steam Deck installation instructions. It is PC-only, with no console version.
Do I need Titanfall 2?
Yes. You must own and install Titanfall 2.
How do I install and update Northstar?
The project recommends an installer, which handles both installation and updates. Manual installation is documented, but it does not update automatically.
Does Northstar progression carry over to official servers?
No. Northstar progress is separate from official servers and does not carry over.
Can I host a dedicated server?
Yes. The Northstar wiki provides dedicated-server hosting documentation for Linux and Windows.
Facts from Northstar's own pages
- Authentication
- On first launch, the setup guide says users are prompted to agree to authenticate to the master server, and notes this can be changed later in the mods menu. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Community mod catalog
- The Northstar community page on Thunderstore lists client-side and server-side mods, maps, skins, and other categories. · thunderstore.io, 29 Sept 2026
- Console availability
- The FAQ says there will not be a console version. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Custom games
- It lets players run their own game servers with custom game modes, weapons, maps, and skins. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Dedicated servers
- The Northstar wiki provides dedicated-server hosting documentation for Linux and Windows. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Game modes
- Northstar includes community-made modes such as Gun Game, Titan Tag, Infection, and Frontier War. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Installer
- The documentation recommends using an installer, which handles installing and updating Northstar. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Installer options
- The official site lists FlightCore, VTOL, and Viper as installer options, with listed platform support varying by installer. · northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Installers
- The project recommends an installer, which handles both installing and updating Northstar; manual installation is also documented. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Known issues
- The wiki advises users to expect bugs and crashes with Northstar. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Known limitation
- Northstar progress is separate from official servers and does not carry over to them. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Linux support
- The documentation provides installation instructions for Linux and Steam Deck using Steam or Lutris. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Manual install limit
- Northstar does not automatically update when installed manually. · northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Modding tools
- Northstar’s documentation includes guides and references for modding, scripting, plugins, and APIs. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Mods
- Northstar supports downloading custom mods, such as game modes and maps, when joining a server. · northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- PC requirement
- The Northstar client is available only on PC and requires owning and installing Titanfall 2. · docs.northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Product
- Northstar is a Titanfall 2 mod and custom server framework. · northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Progression
- Progression is disabled by default, leaving all weapons and skins unlocked; players can toggle progression in the lobby. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Northstar is a Titanfall 2 modding and custom server framework. · northstar.tf, 29 Sept 2026
- Security
- The FAQ says Northstar adds logic intended to provide some level of security because the vanilla client fully trusts servers. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Server browser
- The built-in server browser connects players to community servers and can filter by server name, map, or game mode. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Stability
- The documentation says users should expect bugs and crashes. · docs.northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The project directs users with setup or troubleshooting issues to its wiki and Discord community. · northstar.tf, 30 Sept 2026
Where Northstar stands on Freedom251
- Game Mod Loaders#16 of 26