This is a full list of the supported command line parameters. A number of additional parameters are supported in addition to those present in the DOS version.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -config <file> | Load main configuration from the specified file, instead of the default. |
| -extraconfig <file> | Load additional configuration from the specified file, instead of the default. |
| -file <files> | Load the specified PWAD files. |
| -iwad <file> | Specify an IWAD file to use. |
| -nomusic | Disable music. |
| -nomusicpacks | Disable substitution music packs. |
| -nosfx | Disable sound effects. |
| -nosound | Disable all sound output. |
| -ravpic | Take screenshots when F1 is pressed. |
| -response <filename> | Load extra command line arguments from the given response file. Arguments read from the file will be inserted into the command line replacing this argument. A response file can also be loaded using the abbreviated syntax '@filename.rsp'. |
| -savedir <directory> | Specify a path from which to load and save games. If the directory does not exist then it will automatically be created. |
| -version | Print the program version and exit. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -episode <n> | Start playing on episode n (1-4) |
| -loadgame <s> | Load the game in savegame slot s. |
| -nomonsters | Disable monsters. |
| -respawn | Monsters respawn after being killed. |
| -skill <skill> | Set the game skill, 1-5 (1: easiest, 5: hardest). A skill of 0 disables all monsters. |
| -warp <x> <y> | Start a game immediately, warping to level ExMy. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -1 | Don't scale up the screen. Implies -window. |
| -2 | Double up the screen to 2x its normal size. Implies -window. |
| -3 | Double up the screen to 3x its normal size. Implies -window. |
| -display <x> | Specify the display number on which to show the screen. |
| -fullscreen | Run in fullscreen mode. |
| -geometry <WxY> | Specify the dimensions of the window. Implies -window. |
| -height <y> | Specify the screen height, in pixels. Implies -window. |
| -noblit | Disable blitting the screen. |
| -nograbmouse | Don't grab the mouse when running in windowed mode. |
| -nomouse | Disable the mouse. |
| -width <x> | Specify the screen width, in pixels. Implies -window. |
| -window | Run in a window. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -autojoin | Automatically search the local LAN for a multiplayer server and join it. |
| -connect <address> | Connect to a multiplayer server running on the given address. |
| -deathmatch | Start a deathmatch game. |
| -dup <n> | Reduce the resolution of the game by a factor of n, reducing the amount of network bandwidth needed. |
| -extratics <n> | Send n extra tics in every packet as insurance against dropped packets. |
| -nodes <n> | Autostart the netgame when n nodes (clients) have joined the server. |
| -oldsync | Use original network client sync code rather than the improved sync code. |
| -port <n> | Use the specified UDP port for communications, instead of the default (2342). |
| -privateserver | When running a server, don't register with the global master server. Implies -server. |
| -server | Start a multiplayer server, listening for connections. |
| -servername <name> | When starting a network server, specify a name for the server. |
| -solo-net | Start the game playing as though in a netgame with a single player. This can also be used to play back single player netgame demos. |
| -timer <n> | For multiplayer games: exit each level after n minutes. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -aa <files> | Equivalent to "-af <files> -as <files>". |
| -af <files> | Simulates the behavior of NWT's -af option, merging flats into the main IWAD directory. Multiple files may be specified. |
| -as <files> | Simulates the behavior of NWT's -as option, merging sprites into the main IWAD directory. Multiple files may be specified. |
| -deh <files> | Load the given dehacked patch(es) |
| -hhever <version> | Select the Heretic version number that was used to generate the HHE patch to be loaded. Patches for each of the Vanilla Heretic versions (1.0, 1.2, 1.3) can be loaded, but the correct version number must be specified. |
| -merge <files> | Simulates the behavior of deutex's -merge option, merging a PWAD into the main IWAD. Multiple files may be specified. |
| -noautoload | Disable auto-loading of .wad files. |
| -nocheats | Ignore cheats in dehacked files. |
| -nwtmerge <files> | Simulates the behavior of NWT's -merge option. Multiple files may be specified. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -demoextend | Record or playback a demo without automatically quitting after either level exit or player respawn. |
| -longtics | Record or playback a demo with high resolution turning. |
| -maxdemo <size> | Specify the demo buffer size (KiB) |
| -playdemo <demo> | Play back the demo named demo.lmp. |
| -record <x> | Record a demo named x.lmp. |
| -recordfrom <savenum> <demofile> | Record a demo, loading from the given filename. Equivalent to -loadgame <savenum> -record <demofile>. |
| -shortticfix | Smooth out low resolution turning when recording a demo. |
| -strictdemos | When recording or playing back demos, disable any extensions of the vanilla demo format - record demos as vanilla would do, and play back demos as vanilla would do. |
| -timedemo <demo> | Play back the demo named demo.lmp, determining the framerate of the screen. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -setmem <version> | Specify DOS version to emulate for NULL pointer dereference emulation. Supported versions are: dos622, dos71, dosbox. The default is to emulate DOS 7.1 (Windows 98). |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -cdrom | Save configuration data and savegames in c:\heretic.cd, allowing play from CD. (windows only) |
| -dumpsubstconfig <filename> | Read all MIDI files from loaded WAD files, dump an example substitution music config file to the specified filename and quit. |
| -mb <mb> | Specify the heap size, in MiB. |
| -mmap | Use the OS's virtual memory subsystem to map WAD files directly into memory. |
| -noartiskip | Allow artifacts to be used when the run key is held down. |
| -nogui | If specified, don't show a GUI window for error messages when the game exits with an error. |