Arma 3: Difficulty Settings

The 1.58 update brought a lot of changes to the difficulty system. A list of the most significant ones can be found on the Arma 3 Difficulty Overhaul page.
There is a related forum thread where the changes can be discussed.

Difficulty Presets

One of the main changes that came with 1.58 is, that the difficulty levels were transformed to true presets. Each preset has exactly defined value for each difficulty option. If any of the options doesn't match the preset, it is changed to Custom. The following table shows comparison of the presets. Options that have fade out set can be faded in via the J key.

Config Parameter	Name in Game	Recruit	Regular	Veteran	Note
reducedDamage	Reduced Damage	true	false	false	Decreases damage dealt to the player and members of his group.
groupIndicators	Group Indicators	show	limited distance	hide	Shows indication icons on units in player's group.
friendlyTags	Friendly Name Tags	show	limited distance	hide	Friendly unit identification. Works only when the player aims at a unit.
enemyTags	Enemy Name Tags	hide	hide	hide	Enemy unit identification. Works only when the player aims at a unit.
detectedMines	Detected Mines	show	limited distance	hide	Shows icons indicating exact positions of mines. show = display the indicators on mines at 200m and closer.
commands	Commands	show	fade out	fade out	Displays command icons like target markers, get in command and others.
waypoints	Waypoints	show	show	fade out	Manages visibility of waypoint markers.
weaponInfo	Weapon Info	show	show	fade out	Shows Weapon Info box (contains round and magazine count, firing mode, etc.).
stanceIndicator	Stance Indicator	show	show	fade out	Displays stance indication (contains actual stance, weapon resting and deployment).
staminaBar	Stamina Bar	true	true	false	Manages visibility of stamina indicator. true = fades in when stamina changes.
weaponCrosshair	Crosshair	true	true	false	Shows weapon crosshair both in 1st and 3rd person view.
visionAid	Vision Aid	true	false	false	Helps to detect units in visual range and identify friend from foe.
thirdPersonView	3rd Person View	true	true	false	Enables camera switching to 3rd person view.
cameraShake	Camera Shake	true	true	true	Shakes camera if player is near explosion, passing vehicle or if player's vehicle is under G-load.
scoreTable	Score Table	true	true	true	Displays table with kills, deaths and overall score in multiplayer.
deathMessages	Killed By	true	true	true	Shows in chat window who killed the player.
vonID	VON ID	true	true	true	Indicates who is speaking through VON communication.
mapContent	Extended Map Content	true	true	false	Template:outdatedShows friendly units, enemy units and detected mines on the map. ⚠ If present, overrides other mapContent* settings.
mapContentFriendly	Extended Map Content	true	true	false	Shows friendly units on the map. (since Arma 3 v1.68)
mapContentEnemy	Extended Map Content	true	true	false	Shows enemy units on the map. (since Arma 3 v1.68)
mapContentMines	Extended Map Content	true	true	false	Shows detected mines on the map. (since Arma 3 v1.68)
autoReport	Automatic Reporting	true	true	false	(Former autoSpot) Enables/disables automatic reporting of spotted enemies by players only. This setting does not have effect on AI. To stop AI from talking with script, use unit setSpeaker "NoVoice"
multipleSaves	Multiple Saves	true	true	false	Allows player to create multiple saves in a mission.

Configuration

Please note that the following information applies to the config in game's data (namely data_f.pbo) not to the profile. For profile related information please refer to this page. Since Arma 3 1.58 the game's config uses CfgDifficultyPresets class. The former CfgDifficulties is now obsolete and was left in the config only not to break scripts that might have used it.

class CfgDifficultyPresets
{
	defaultPreset = Regular;

	// Parameters that affect difficulty and which are shared among presets
	myArmorCoef = 1.5;
	groupArmorCoef = 1.5;
	
	//Parameters that affect the Limited distance choice for Group Indicators, Friendly Name Tags, Enemy Name Tags and Detected Mines.
	//They determine on which distance the indicators are fully visible and how many more meters it takes until the indicator fades-out completely.
	fadeDistanceStart = 40.0;
	fadeDistanceSpan = 10.0;

	recoilCoef = 1;
	visionAidCoef = 0.8;
	divingLimitMultiplier = 1.0;		// Multiplier to limit capacity of lungs for soldiers.

	animSpeedCoef = 0;
	cancelThreshold = 0;				// Threshold used for interrupting action.
	showCadetHints = 1;					// (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
	showCadetWP = 1;					// (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

	class Recruit
	{
		displayName = $STR_Difficulty0;	// Name of the difficulty preset.
		optionDescription = "";			// Description
		optionPicture = "";				// Picture
		levelAI = "AILevelLow";			// Level of AI skill

		class Options
		{
			// Simulation
			reducedDamage = 1;		// Reduced damage (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Situational awareness
			groupIndicators = 2;	// Group indicators		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			friendlyTags = 2;		// Friendly name tags	(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			enemyTags = 0;			// Enemy name tags		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			detectedMines = 2;		// Detected mines		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			commands = 2;			// Commands				(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			waypoints = 2;			// Waypoints			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			tacticalPing = 1;		// Tactical Ping		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Personal awareness
			weaponInfo = 2;			// Weapon info			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			stanceIndicator = 2;	// Stance indicator		(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			staminaBar = 1;			// Stamina bar			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			weaponCrosshair = 1;	// Weapon crosshair		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			visionAid = 1;			// Vision aid			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// View
			thirdPersonView = 1;	// 3rd person view		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			cameraShake = 1;		// Camera shake			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Multiplayer
			scoreTable = 1;			// Score table			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			deathMessages = 1;		// Killed by			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			vonID = 1;				// VON ID				(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Misc
			mapContent = 1;			// Extended map content	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			autoReport = 1;			// Automatic reporting	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			multipleSaves = 1;		// Multiple saves		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
		};
	};

	class Regular
	{
		displayName = $STR_Difficulty1;	// Name of the difficulty preset.
		optionDescription = "";			// Description
		optionPicture = "\A3\Ui_f\data\Logos\arma3_white_ca.paa"; // Picture
		levelAI = "AILevelMedium";		// Level of AI skill

		class Options
		{
			// Simulation
			reducedDamage = 0;		// Reduced damage		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Situational awareness
			groupIndicators = 1;	// Group indicators		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			friendlyTags = 1;		// Friendly name tags	(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			enemyTags = 0;			// Enemy name tags		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			detectedMines = 1;		// Detected mines		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			commands = 1;			// Commands				(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			waypoints = 2;			// Waypoints			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			tacticalPing = 1;		// Tactical Ping		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)


			// Personal awareness
			weaponInfo = 2;			// Weapon info			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			stanceIndicator = 2;	// Stance indicator		(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			staminaBar = 1;			// Stamina bar			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			weaponCrosshair = 1;	// Weapon crosshair		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			visionAid = 0;			// Vision aid			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// View
			thirdPersonView = 1;	// 3rd person view		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			cameraShake = 1;		// Camera shake			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Multiplayer
			scoreTable = 1;			// Score table			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			deathMessages = 1;		// Killed by			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			vonID = 1;				// VON ID				(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Misc
			// mapContent = 1;		// Extended map content	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)	// before Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentFriendly = 1;	// Map friendlies		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentEnemy = 1;	// Map Enemies			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentMines = 1;	// Map Mines			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			autoReport = 1;			// Automatic reporting	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			multipleSaves = 1;		// Multiple saves		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
		};
	};

	class Veteran
	{
		displayName = $STR_Difficulty2;	// Name of the difficulty preset.
		optionDescription = "";			// Description
		optionPicture = "\A3\Ui_f\data\Logos\arma3_white_ca.paa"; // Picture
		levelAI = "AILevelHigh";		// Level of AI skill

		class Options
		{
			// Simulation
			reducedDamage = 0;		// Reduced damage		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Situational awareness
			groupIndicators = 0;	// Group indicators		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			friendlyTags = 0;		// Friendly name tags	(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			enemyTags = 0;			// Enemy name tags		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			detectedMines = 0;		// Detected mines		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			commands = 1;			// Commands				(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			waypoints = 1;			// Waypoints			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			tacticalPing = 0;		// Tactical Ping		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Personal awareness
			weaponInfo = 1;			// Weapon info			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			stanceIndicator = 1;	// Stance indicator		(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			staminaBar = 0;			// Stamina bar			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			weaponCrosshair = 0;	// Weapon crosshair		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			visionAid = 0;			// Vision aid			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// View
			thirdPersonView = 0;	// 3rd person view		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			cameraShake = 1;		// Camera shake			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Multiplayer
			scoreTable = 1;			// Score table			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			deathMessages = 1;		// Killed by			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			vonID = 1;				// VON ID				(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Misc
			mapContent = 0;			// Extended map content (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // before Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentFriendly = 0;	// Map friendlies		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentEnemy = 0;	// Map Enemies			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentMines = 0;	// Map Mines			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			autoReport = 0;			// Automatic reporting	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			multipleSaves = 0;		// Multiple saves		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
		};
	};

	class Custom
	{
		displayName = $STR_Difficulty_Custom;		// Name of the difficulty preset.
		optionDescription = "";						// Description
		optionPicture = "\A3\Ui_f\data\Logos\arma3_white_ca.paa"; // Picture
		levelAI = "AILevelMedium";					// Level of AI skill

		// All options of the Custom preset are set by the engine. The values in config
		class Options
		{
			// Simulation
			reducedDamage = 0;		// Reduced damage		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Situational awareness
			groupIndicators = 0;	// Group indicators		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			friendlyTags = 0;		// Friendly name tags	(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			enemyTags = 0;			// Enemy name tags		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			detectedMines = 0;		// Detected mines		(0 = never, 1 = limited distance, 2 = always)
			commands = 0;			// Commands				(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			waypoints = 0;			// Waypoints			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			tacticalPing = 0;		// Tactical Ping		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Personal awareness
			weaponInfo = 1;			// Weapon info			(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			stanceIndicator = 0;	// Stance indicator		(0 = never, 1 = fade out, 2 = always)
			staminaBar = 0;			// Stamina bar			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			weaponCrosshair = 0;	// Weapon crosshair		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			visionAid = 0;			// Vision aid			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// View
			thirdPersonView = 0;	// 3rd person view		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			cameraShake = 0;		// Camera shake			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Multiplayer
			scoreTable = 0;			// Score table			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			deathMessages = 0;		// Killed by			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			vonID = 0;				// VON ID				(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

			// Misc
			mapContent = 0;			// Extended map content (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // before Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentFriendly = 0;	// Map friendlies		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentEnemy = 0;	// Map Enemies			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			mapContentMines = 0;	// Map Mines			(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled) // since  Arma 3 v1.68
			autoReport = 0;			// Automatic reporting	(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
			multipleSaves = 0;		// Multiple saves		(0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)
		};
	};
};