Can we do LAN play locally without server key?

[5HAH3]

Xerxes Okay thanks! So do we have to start both the host and clients in the LAN mode, and the host sets up the game and clients connect to it via 'friends' option?

[Xerxes]

That won't work, as the friends system is part of the online mode.
If you just want to play together in LAN start the game normally in online mode and use connect to join the match.
If you prefer to play on a dedicated server, you can set up one without a server key. While it will fail to heartbeat it still should allow you to connect.

[5HAH3]

Xerxes Okay so i both put pc and laptop in online mode, set a private match in pc and tried connecting to private match via friends in laptop. But it got stuck in connecting forever. The laptop is connected to pc hotspot. Pc is connected to the main router via ethernet. Is that what you mean by connect?

[Xerxes]

I would not go through the internet for the connection, connect both to your lan then you can use the connect command with the local IP of the host to join directly without adding a lot of delay and potential failure points.

[GRGCompletionist]

Can i host a Lan server to play on my own with bots while xp progression is still a thing for everything?
I want to play the game completely offline without the need of the internet.

[Resxt]

GRGCompletionist idk about the internet part but you can host a local server for yourself only with no key

[GRGCompletionist]

Resxt I'm guessing since it's Lan, it will work offline. Can you tell me how or direct me to a tutorial guide?

[Resxt]

GRGCompletionist you just start the server but without a key. You don't need to make it LAN if you just want to play solo

[GRGCompletionist]

Resxt i don't know how to start a server, i'm new to this. What i did until now was playing in Lan mode and hitting "xstartpartyhost" in the console to get into a match with bots

[Resxt]

GRGCompletionist then read our doc
https://plutonium.pw/docs/server/t6/setting-up-a-server/