How to run an ER:LC SSU (server start-up)

An SSU (server start-up) is the moment your community's session begins. Instead of leaving the server open all day with a handful of players, you pick a time, gather everyone in Discord, and start together. Done well, SSUs mean a full server, staff online when they're needed and better roleplay.

Why run sessions instead of an open server?

• Roleplay needs people: police with nobody to chase isn't fun
• Staff can plan to be online for set times instead of all day
• Players know when to show up, so the server fills quickly
• You can set a theme, area of play or event for each session

Step 1: Hold an SSU vote

A vote checks there's enough interest before you start. Post a message in your sessions channel asking people to react or press a button if they'll join, and set a target, such as 8 votes. If you reach it, start. If you don't, the vote ends and nobody waits in an empty server.

Step 2: Announce the start-up

A good SSU announcement includes everything a player needs to join:

• The server name and join code
• The area of play and any theme for the session
• Which staff are hosting
• A ping for your session role (only people who opted in)

Ping the people who voted as well: they've already said they'll come.

Step 3: Set the scene in game

Once players arrive, use :m to welcome everyone and state the area of play, then set the weather and time with :weather and :time. A short :h reminder of the main rules helps newer players. More commands are in our ER:LC commands guide.

Step 4: Keep it full with boosts

Player counts drop during a session. A boost is a second announcement asking for more players, usually with the current player count. Don't boost too often: once every 30 to 60 minutes is plenty, or people start muting your channel.

Step 5: Staff the session

Have at least one moderator on duty for every 10 to 15 players, and make sure staff start a shift so you know who was actually there. Agree in advance who handles reports and who joins scenes.

Step 6: End the session cleanly

Give players a warning with :m five minutes before the end so scenes can finish. Post a shutdown message in Discord so latecomers don't try to join an empty server. Afterwards, check what happened: how many players came, who was on duty and what moderation actions were taken.

SSU message template

SERVER START-UP
Join code: ABCDE
Area of play: City
Hosted by: Staff member
Rules: #rules · Please read them before joining

Running SSUs with Dispatcher

Dispatcher's Sessions page and the /session command in Discord handle the whole cycle. Votes end by themselves if they don't reach the target in time and can start the session automatically when they pass. Start-up announcements show the join code, players and queue with a Join server button, and keep the player count up to date. Boosts have a cooldown so your ping role isn't spammed, and a notice is posted when the server fills up. Each past session shows its length, peak and average players, staff on shift and moderation actions. It's free; see getting started.