Questions about VPN for gaming, split-tunneling and port-forwarding

VPN
1

When should/shouldn’t I use a VPN when gaming? I understand that it adds latency which is unadvised for online games, but when is it a good idea to use it? For instance, if a server is in another country, should I connect the VPN to that country? Could secure core and other settings in theory prevent/mitigate the chance of being DDOS’d?

If I enable split-tunneling for Steam let’s say, will the VPN not interfere with any games or do I need to manually check every game in my library?

Will port-forwarding either in the VPN or on my router improve latency? Doesn’t it reduce security though? Is that a good trade-off only when gaming?

2

Secure core and other things will not prevent or mitigate ddos. That’s the servers job. Connecting to a server farther away from you will add massive latency always connect to the closest VPN server to you. Connecting to a VPN across the world is going to hurt you, and doesn’t help if the game server is closer to that VPN server at all. Port forwarding isn’t really needed, and doesn’t really reduce security in a meaningful way, unless you are self hosting software with vulnerabilities on that port. You can always game with a VPN until you think latency is too high. I connect to servers in my state and I only get maybe 5-10ms added to my ping, hardly noticable even for cs2. Do not use Secure Core, always connect to a server that’s close to YOU, not the game server. You will have to split tunnel the game .exe and not steam. You can also do reverse split tunneling and add apps you want to only run through the VPN, instead of apps you do not want to run through the VPN

3

Basically, you should not use a VPN if your communication is stable.

However, there are times when it is better to use a VPN.

1,When connecting to an overseas server, if certain countries are excluded.

2,When connecting to a server, a distant communication route may be adopted, but using a VPN may shorten the route.

3,When connecting to a server, the provider may discard communication packets due to congestion, but this can be prevented.

4

VPNs aren’t that useful when gaming. They won’t hide your username, which is probably tied to your credit card you used to buy the game. It will reduce your ping as well.

In the very unlikely circumstance that someone manages to get your IP from the game server to try to DDOS you, a VPN will help.

5

so they do reduce ping? i thought the inverse? So in this case, should i create a custom profile in the VPN without secure core and with Smart DNS to reduce as much ping as possible?

DDOSing is unfortunately very commonplace in Halo MCC and PC CODs between MW2-BO2. You’re saying I’d be safe playing those games now?

6

You definitely should not use Secure Core. One VPN server is enough.

If you pick a server close to you the ping should be minimal, it just adds a little hop between you can the server. As long as the game is going through the VPN you’re pretty safe from DDoS attacks.

Also, make sure you don’t install any malicious mods that could bypass the VPN.

7

do you think a VPN could trip a game’s anti-cheat?

8

Probably not, although sometimes a specific VPN server could be IP blocked.