---
title: "Fistful of Frags: Complete Guide"
game: "Fistful of Frags"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/fistful-of-frags"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds", "Achievements", "Weapons", "Maps"]
summary: "A player's guide to Fistful of Frags (FoF), the free Wild West shooter on the Source engine: game modes, loadouts and perks after the December 2025 hand-perk rework, dual wielding and fanning, weapons, horses, maps,…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/fistful-of-frags-complete-guide-32dca332"
published: "2026-09-27T17:55:16.189Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T20:55:32.105Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Fistful of Frags: Complete Guide

A player's guide to Fistful of Frags (FoF), the free Wild West shooter on the Source engine: game modes, loadouts and perks after the December 2025 hand-perk rework, dual wielding and fanning, weapons, horses, maps, and how to get good at the duels.

*Researched September 2026. Current as of the "Hand perks & Horse balance update" (26 December 2025), the game's latest gameplay patch. Community servers set the rules, so check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **It's completely free.** No microtransactions and no registration. Some weapons and perks may be locked on brand-new Steam accounts (level 0) until you reach Steam level 1 or complete the in-game play-to-earn progression.
2. **Guns are black-powder slow.** Revolvers, lever-actions and single-shot rifles reload slowly. Count your shots and never get caught empty.
3. **Headshots and movement decide duels.** The skill-based scoring system rewards harder shots, so aim high and keep strafing.
4. **Dual wielding is powerful but inaccurate.** Two handguns means double the crosshairs and double the spread. Great up close, poor at range.
5. **Fanning the hammer** empties a revolver fast at close range. The December 2025 update made fanning cheaper and faster.
6. **Your loadout costs stars.** Weapons and perks draw on a limited budget, so choose a combination that fits your playstyle.
7. **Whiskey heals.** Grab bottles when you're hurt.
8. **Kick and punch.** Melee works when you're empty, and you can throw handguns as a last-ditch projectile.
9. **Start with bots or single-player challenges** to learn the weapons before hopping into busy servers.
10. **Server rules vary.** Many community servers run custom modes and weapon rules, so read the server name and the MOTD.

## Game Modes

| Mode | Format | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| **Shootout** | Free-for-all, or up to 4-team deathmatch | Non-stop action. FFA supports ladder-based global ranks |
| **Teamplay** | Team objective | Zone capture and "push the cart" maps |
| **Cooperative** | Up to 6 players vs AI | Missions like bank assault, last stand and push |
| **Grand Elimination** | Battle royale-style | Fast-paced last-player-standing |
| **Break Bad** | Team deathmatch variant | Custom rules like unarmed players or objectives |
| **Team Elimination** | Round-based | Kill the entire enemy team at least once to win the round |
| **Versus** | 1v1 duels | Matchmade by rank and skill, with different arenas per map |
| **Single-player challenges** | Solo | Practice missions and skill trials |

Community servers also run custom modes, such as **Ghost Town** (Halloween, with explosive bows, potions and ghosts), **Knife Fight Club**, **Fistful of Zombies 2.0** and Gun Game.

## Loadout, Stars and Perks

Your loadout is a primary weapon, a secondary weapon and perks or skills. Everything costs **stars** from a limited budget. Current hand-skill and perk values after the **26 December 2025 update**:

| Skill or perk | Effect | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| **Fanning** handgun skill | +30% handgun reload speed; walking speed penalty in fanning pose cut to -15% (was -38%); +5% faster transition to fanning pose | 1 star (reduced) |
| **Right handed** handgun skill | +15% handgun reload speed; walking penalty in revolver aim pose cut to -30% (was -38%); +5% faster transition to aim pose | See in-game |
| **Left handed** handgun skill | +15% handgun reload speed | See in-game |
| **Dual wield** handgun skill | Two handguns at once | 2 stars (increased) |
| **Slide** perk | Slide by pressing crouch while at running speed | 2 stars (reduced) |
| **Jump Master** perk | Lets you wall jump | See in-game |
| Other perks | Movement and utility options; read the in-game description before spending stars | See in-game |

The update aimed to make the game faster-paced and to even out playstyles, so single-revolver builds are more viable than before.

### Loadout archetypes

| Archetype | Setup | Plays like |
|---|---|---|
| Gunslinger | Single revolver plus Fanning | Mobile, fast close-range bursts. Cheap after the rework |
| Dual-wield brawler | Two handguns plus Dual wield | High close-range damage, poor accuracy at range |
| Rifleman | Henry Rifle, Smith Carbine or Sharps plus a sidearm | Mid-to-long range control |
| Shotgunner | A shotgun as primary | Interior maps and cart pushes |
| Scout | Light gun plus the Slide perk | Movement and flanking |

## Weapons

FoF's arsenal is based on historical black-powder guns. The developers' own store page names these:

- **Handguns:** Colt Peacemaker, Colt Navy, Colt Walker, S&W Schofield, Volcanic pistol, Deringer
- **Rifles and carbines:** Henry Rifle, Smith Carbine, Sharps rifle
- **Also in the loadout menu:** shotguns, a bow, knives, explosives and your fists. The exact list (and what's locked on new accounts) is shown in the in-game loadout screen, and community servers may add or restrict weapons

Weapon tips:

- **Revolvers** are the backbone. Learn their reload times.
- **The Sharps** is a one-shot powerhouse at range. Miss and you're exposed.
- **Lever-actions** are forgiving mid-range weapons.
- **Shotguns** are devastating indoors.
- **Dynamite** clears objectives and camps, but watch the fuse.
- **Weapon flipping** changes accuracy options with some guns, and you can **drop or throw handguns** as a projectile.

## Horses

Horses let you cover ground fast and ram enemies. After the December 2025 update:

- **Acceleration is lower.** Reaching full speed takes longer.
- **The ramming kill needs a bit more speed** than before.
- **Buildings and tight streets limit riding.** Dismount to fight indoors.

Use horses to reposition between objectives, but don't expect easy trample kills anymore.

## Maps

FoF ships with a set of official maps (all prefixed **fof_**, such as **fof_fistful** and **fof_robertlee**) and many more community maps; each server's rotation differs, so check the server browser's map column. The Halloween map **fof_hammercult** (by Domm Havai) debuted in October 2025 on Ghost Town servers.

Map tips:

- **Learn whiskey and weapon spawns.** Control them on FFA maps.
- **Rooftops and balconies** dominate small town maps.
- **Interiors favor shotguns and dual wield.**
- **Open plains favor rifles and horses.**

## Dueling (Versus Mode) Tips

- **Strafe while firing.** Standing still in a duel is a death sentence.
- **Aim for the head.** Most handguns kill much faster with headshots.
- **Count your shots.** Don't reload in the open unless your opponent is reloading.
- **Break line of sight to reload.**
- **Use the arena.** Cover and corners let you bait shots.

## Achievements

FoF has **20 Steam achievements**. None need a special mode except the cannon tutorial, and most come from normal Shootout play once you know what triggers them.

| Achievement | Requirement | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| My Name is Nobody | First kill in a game with other human players | Join any populated server |
| Frag Robber | Kill enemies badly hurt by another player while that player is still close | Hang around big fights and finish off wounded targets |
| More Dead Than Alive | Get frags below 15 HP | Keep fighting instead of running for whiskey when you're nearly dead |
| Dutch Courage | Kill enemies while under whiskey's effect | Drink, then fight straight away |
| Hat-Shooter | Knock off 15 enemy hats by shooting over their heads | Aim just above the head; misses in normal play add up |
| The Unforgiven | End an enemy streak of 7 or more kills | Hunt whoever is topping the scoreboard |
| Best Friends | Kill a few Steam friends with bare hands | Arrange it with friends on a quiet server |
| Kick their asses | Kick enemies into water, fire or a big fall | Maps with ledges, rivers and fires |
| Overweighted | Kill while 100% overencumbered from carrying weapons | Pick up dropped guns until you're maxed out, then get a kill |
| Overpowered | Kill enemies with dual Colt Walkers | Pick the Walker plus Dual wield in your loadout |
| A Fistful of Dynamite | Kills from an explosive chain reaction | Blow up dynamite or explosive objects near other explosives |
| Robin Hood | Long-range bow headshots | Needs a bow; lead your target and aim high for drop |
| Defuser | Pick up lit dynamite thrown by other players | Grab it before the fuse runs out, then throw it back |
| Detonator | Kill by shooting lit dynamite | Shoot sticks mid-air or on the ground near enemies |
| Certified mobile cannon operator | Complete the mobile cannon tutorial | Play the tutorial once |
| Sliding killer | 25 kills while sliding | Equip the Slide perk |
| Bouncing around | 25 kick kills right after wall-jumping | Equip Jump Master; practise on bots first |
| Level: Rancher / Gunfighter / Legend | Complete 25 / 100 / 500 games | These come with time |

The rarest are **Bouncing around** (0.2%) and **Sliding killer** (0.3%), because both need a movement perk most players don't run. Build a dedicated loadout for each and farm them on a busy Shootout server.

## Update History

FoF has been on Steam since 9 May 2014 and grew out of a Source mod that dates back to around 2007. Key updates from the official Steam news:

| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| Late 2014 to early 2015 | Frequent client and dedicated-server updates after launch |
| 16 December 2015 | Big update: **Team Elimination** mode, a portable whiskey jug and a classic 12-slot Robert Lee map |
| 16 September 2016 | Steam Workshop support for skins, maps, sounds and particle effects |
| 27 October 2018 | New weapon: the **Hammerless pocket revolver** (fast firing, low damage, 5 rounds) |
| 5 May 2020 | **fof_robertlee_goty**, a classic version of the Robert Lee steamboat map |
| 16 February 2021 | New map **fof_nest** and a completely reworked respawn system |
| 15 October 2021 | Halloween: TnT Bows, one spawning per team at the start of each round |
| November 2021 | Official Ranked Competitive Shootout (O.R.C.S.) season 2 |
| 28 May 2022 | Highlight of recent updates: the **Slide** and **Jump Master** perks |
| 24 December 2022 | **Horse riding** added |
| 16 February 2023 | O.R.C.S. season 3, with an exclusive scoreboard badge and Golden Guns effect for the top 3 |
| 7 April 2023 | The **Retextured DLC**: the stylized texture set returns as an optional download, plus a Tortuga map update |
| 26 December 2025 | Hand perks and horse balance update (see the loadout section) |

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Dual wielding at range.** The spread makes you miss.
- **Running dry.** Black-powder guns reload slowly.
- **Ignoring whiskey.**
- **Staying mounted in tight town streets.** Horses shine in the open, not indoors.
- **Rushing with a Sharps.** It's for patient picks.
- **Not reading server rules.** Custom servers change weapons and modes.
- **Assuming old perk costs.** The December 2025 update changed them.

## Advanced Tips

- **Fanning plus the Right handed skill** makes a fast, mobile gunslinger now that walking penalties are lower.
- **Throw your empty handgun** for a finishing hit.
- **Kick doors and opponents** to create space.
- **Use Slide** to break an opponent's aim when you close distance.
- **Play Versus to improve.** Matchmaking by rank gives fair practice.
- **Offline bots** are great for practice.

## Community and Servers

- FoF runs on **Source Engine 2013** with community-hosted dedicated servers, LAN support and third-party maps.
- Server owners needed to **relaunch servers with the updated version number** after the December 2025 update.
- Community events are announced on the Steam hub. Fans also revived the pre-Steam mod **version 3.9a** for meet-ups in May 2026.
- Some third-party servers show ads when you join. That's unrelated to the dev team.

## FAQ

**Is Fistful of Frags free?**
Yes, completely free, with no microtransactions.

**Why are some weapons locked?**
Steam level 0 accounts may have some weapons and perks locked until they reach Steam level 1 or complete the in-game points progression.

**What changed in the latest update?**
The 26 December 2025 update reworked hand perks (Fanning cheaper and faster, Dual wield more expensive, Slide cheaper) and slowed horse acceleration.

**What are the hardest achievements?**
Bouncing around (25 kick kills right after a wall jump) and Sliding killer (25 kills while sliding). Equip Jump Master or Slide respectively and farm them on busy Shootout servers.

**When were horses added?**
Horse riding arrived in the December 2022 update and was rebalanced on 26 December 2025.

**Can I play offline?**
Yes, with bots or in the single-player challenges.

**Is there co-op?**
Yes, Cooperative mode for up to 6 players, with missions like bank assault and last stand.

**Does FoF run on Linux or Steam Deck?**
Check the platform icons on the Steam store page for current native support. The community notes that even the old pre-Steam 3.9a mod version runs on Linux and SteamOS through Proton.

## Sources

- [Fistful of Frags on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/265630/Fistful_of_Frags/)
- [Fistful of Frags Steam news (Hand perks & Horse balance update, hammercult, community posts)](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/265630)
- [Fistful of Frags global achievements (Steam Community)](https://steamcommunity.com/stats/265630/achievements)
- [Fistful of Frags announcements archive via the Steam Web API](https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamNews/GetNewsForApp/v2/?appid=265630&feeds=steam_community_announcements)