ALiVE.OS · ALiVE 3 Development

Task Pins

The pin each ALiVE task shows on the map and in the task list, one per kind of task, and what each task is.

Reference

ALiVE 3 is in active development. This briefing describes work in progress, and the behaviour it covers is subject to change as testing continues. Check the changelog at the foot of the page for what has moved recently.

On this page

Overview

What the task pins are

Every task ALiVE gives you has its own pin, so you can tell an assassination from an aid delivery at a glance. Each pin is Arma's own icon for that kind of job, in white on your side's NATO frame. The pin sits on the map where the task is, and the same icon heads the task in your task list. There are 33, one for each kind of task.

Sides

One frame per side

The frame behind the icon shows whose pin it is, the same shapes and colours as Arma's NATO markers. You see your own side's frame on your tasks. Pins that mark the enemy, such as a threat or an ambush, use the enemy's frame.

BLUFOR A blue box.
OPFOR A red diamond.
Independent A green square.
Civilian A purple box.

In game

Where you see them

On the map

The map marker for a task is the icon on your side's frame. It stays the same size as you zoom, like Arma's own markers.

In the task list

The task list shows the same icon on its own. Arma tints it by the task's state, so a task you've been given, finished or failed looks different at a glance.

Settings

Choosing your pins

Each player chooses for themselves. Open Addon Options (the CBA settings window), pick the ALiVE entry and look in its Game group.

Map pins and markers has two choices: ALiVE pins (the default) shows these, and Arma default keeps the game's own markers.

The pick covers tasks, unit markers, FOBs, rally points, Logistics Hubs, your Combat Support units, Combat Support order marks and soldiers' map reports. It applies to tasks you receive after the change, not to ones already on your map. FOBs, rally points and the other place pins also need Tidy map labels on. A slider called Map pin opacity (%) in the same group, from 20 to 100, fades ALiVE's pins on the map while their names stay solid.

Mission makers can place the pins in Eden too, from the ALiVE Task Pins group in the marker list. A pin such as AidDelivery (BLUFOR) is where the next automatic task of that type and side is built: the nearest one to the player with no task of that type on it, inside Maximum Task Distance when one is set. Only automatic tasks use them, and they're hidden from players when the mission starts. If nothing can be built at a pin, the task goes round the player as before.

Civilian

Hearts and Minds work in the settlements.

Map pin	Task list	Task	What it is
		Aid deliveryAid Delivery	Drive an aid van to a settlement and see its supplies handed out.
		Medical outreachMedical Outreach	Set up a temporary clinic in a settlement and look after the people who come.
		Market reopeningReopen Market	Protect a town market while it reopens, through any raids.
		Community eventSecure Community Event	Guard a civilian gathering against disruption until it ends.
		Meet the local leaderEngage Leaders (Hold Shura)	Sit down with the local leader and talk to build trust.
		Repair a serviceRestore Services	Repair a damaged power, fuel or comms building in a settlement.
		Checkpoint partnershipLocal Liaison	Hold a liaison meeting at the edge of a settlement and beat off anyone who tries to break it up.
		Clear a townCivilian Objective Assault	Drive the enemy out of an occupied settlement.

Escort and extract

Someone or something to collect and move.

Map pin	Task list	Task	What it is
		Extract informantInformant Exfiltration	Collect a cooperating civilian and get them out alive.
		VIP escortVIP Escort	Escort a VIP to their destination, then bring them back.
		RescueHostage / Prisoner of War Rescue	Free a captive held in enemy territory and bring them to safety.
		Combat search and rescueCombat Search and Rescue	Reach a pilot who came down behind enemy lines and bring them home.
		Transport insertionTroop Transport Insertion	Carry an AI infantry squad from a pickup point to an enemy-held insertion point.
		Supply convoySupply Convoy	Drive a loaded supply van from one settlement to another.
		Protect a convoyProtect Resupply Convoy / Protect Transport Helicopter	Keep a friendly supply truck or transport helicopter alive until it arrives.

Strike

Find it and destroy it.

Map pin	Task list	Task	What it is
		AssassinationHVT Assassination	Find and kill a named high-value target near a town.
		Destroy vehiclesDestroy the Vehicles (with convoy and helicopter variants)	Destroy a designated enemy vehicle, or ambush a supply convoy or shoot down a resupply helicopter.
		Destroy infantryDestroy the Infantry Units	Find and wipe out one enemy infantry group.
		Destroy a buildingDestroy Installation	Level a named enemy structure such as a headquarters, depot or comms building.
		SabotageSabotage Installation	Destroy a strategically important enemy-held building.
		Stop the saboteurStop the Saboteur	Kill or detain a man in a bomb vest before he blows up a building. Shares the Sabotage pin.
		Clear an IEDIED Disposal	Send an explosive-ordnance team to dispose of a roadside bomb near a town.
		Destroy a cacheInsurgency Destroy Assets	Find and destroy an insurgent installation such as a recruitment headquarters or arms cache.
		PatrolInsurgency Patrol	Move to a staging point, then patrol and clear a suspected insurgent area.

Air

Tasks flown or called from the air.

Map pin	Task list	Task	What it is
		Close air supportClose Air Support	Fly to a battle position and destroy the enemy force threatening friendly troops.
		Suppress air defenceSuppress Enemy Air Defenses	Destroy an enemy air-defence vehicle so friendly aircraft can work safely.
		Defensive counter airDefensive Counter Air	Intercept and shoot down an enemy aircraft before it attacks.
		Offensive counter airOffensive Counter Air	Cripple an enemy airfield by destroying what its runway or helipad depends on.
		Laze a targetSupport the Air Strike	Mark a building with a laser for an air strike that is already on its way.

Ground and intel

Take ground, hold ground, find out.

Map pin	Task list	Task	What it is
		ReconReconnoitre Objective	Find out what the enemy holds at an objective before the AI Commander attacks it.
		WiretapWiretap Comms Post	Get into an enemy-held communications post and plant a wiretap.
		CaptureCapture Military Objective	Help an assault already under way by clearing the last enemy off the objective.
		AssaultMilitary Objective Assault	Take an enemy-held military position.
		DefendMilitary Objective Defence	Hold a friendly position against waves of attackers.

Changelog

Updates to this page

2026-10-29
In Eden, ALiVE Task Pins now sit in a submenu for each side: BLUFOR, OPFOR, Independent and Civilian.
2026-10-24
A pin placed in Eden from ALiVE Task Pins now decides where the next automatic task of its type and side goes. The pins are hidden from players when the mission starts.
2026-10-24
New pins: Arma's own icon for each kind of task on your side's NATO frame. There is now one ALiVE look instead of a choice of styles and symbols.
2026-10-23
The pins are about 30% bigger on the map.
2026-10-23
First published, with the pins in game.