---
name: "setSide"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Sides", "Locations"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": null, "effect": null, "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/setSide
revid: 341632
updated: 2023-06-12T19:02:54Z
---

# setSide

*Command · Sides, Locations · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Armed Assault v1.08*

## Description

Sets a location's [side](../topics/Side.md). The default side is Unknown.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> To change a *unit*'s side, see [#Notes](../commands/setSide.md#notes).

## Syntax

```sqf
location setSide side
```

**Parameters:**

- `location`: [Location](../topics/Location.md)
- `side`: [Side](../topics/Side.md)

**Returns:** [Nothing](../topics/Nothing.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
_myLocation setSide resistance;
```

## See also

[Side](../topics/Side.md) · [side](../commands/side.md) · [west](../commands/west.md) · [east](../commands/east.md) · [resistance](../commands/resistance.md) · [civilian](../commands/civilian.md) · [sideUnknown](../commands/sideUnknown.md) · [sideFriendly](../commands/sideFriendly.md) · [sideEnemy](../commands/sideEnemy.md) · [playerSide](../commands/playerSide.md) · Side Relations · [independent](../commands/independent.md)

## Community notes

**Ondřejkuzel** — 2013-12-03

For units, vehicles you can use: `_unitsArray joinSilent createGroup _side`, e.g. in init: `[this] joinSilent createGroup EAST;` *described in the note below*

---

**Jtgibson** — 2009-08-06

This is a frequent question on OFPEC, but produced here because it was difficult to find an answer to. **setSide** does not work for men, vehicles, etc.: it is intended for locations (*i.e.*, territory).  If you want to switch a unit's (*e.g.*, the player's) side in the middle of a battle, make the unit **[joinSilent](../commands/joinSilent.md)** a group on the given side instead.  If you want the unit to become the group leader after joining, use **[selectLeader](../commands/selectLeader.md)**.  I have not tested the idea of spawning a temporary unit of that side, assigning the player to that unit, setting the player as the leader, then deleting the original unit, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.  (It begs the question why we don't have a setSide object function, though.)

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — setSide](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/setSide) (revision 341632).</sub>