How to Create a Custom Map Mod for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord: Mod My Game

Introduction to Modding Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

As an avid modder and long-time fan of the Mount & Blade series, I've spent countless hours tinkering with Bannerlord's innards. Today, I'm going to walk you through the process of creating a custom map mod for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. This isn't just any old guide - we're going to get our hands dirty and create something truly unique.

Before we dive in, let's address the elephant in the room: modding can be intimidating. But fear not! I've broken down this process into manageable steps that even newcomers can follow. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have the know-how to craft your own battlefields where lords and ladies can clash in glorious combat.

Prerequisites and Tools

First things first, let's gather our weapons of choice. Here's what you'll need:

A copy of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (obviously)
Bannerlord Modding Kit (available through Steam)
A 3D modeling software (I recommend Blender - it's free and powerful)
A text editor (Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code work well)
Basic understanding of XML
Patience (trust me, you'll need it)

Once you've got these tools at your disposal, we can begin our journey into the world of custom map creation.

Planning Your Custom Map

Before we start slapping terrain together, we need a plan. What kind of map do you want to create? A sprawling desert with towering dunes? A dense forest with hidden clearings? Or perhaps a treacherous mountain pass?

For this tutorial, we'll be creating "Raven's Gorge" - a narrow valley flanked by steep cliffs, with a rapid river cutting through its center. This map will be perfect for ambush-style battles or desperate last stands.

Key elements of our map will include:

A winding river with rapids
Steep, rocky cliffs on both sides
A narrow path along the riverbank
Some scattered vegetation
A small, ruined bridge

Sketch out your ideas or create a simple top-down view of your map. This will serve as a reference as we move forward.

Creating the Terrain in Blender

Now comes the fun part - sculpting our battlefield! Fire up Blender and let's get to work.

1. Start with a plane and subdivide it several times (I usually go for 256x256 vertices for a detailed terrain).

2. Switch to Sculpt mode and use the various brushes to create your terrain. For our gorge:

Use the 'Draw' brush to create the basic shape of the valley
The 'Crease' brush is great for carving out the river bed
'Smooth' will help blend everything together

3. Add some noise to the cliff faces using the 'Noise' brush for a more natural look.

4. Create a separate mesh for the river water - a simple plane will do.

Here's a snippet of Python code you can use in Blender to automate some of the terrain generation:

import bpy
import bmesh
import random

def create_terrain(size, subdivisions):
    bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_plane_add(size=size)
    obj = bpy.context.active_object
    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='EDIT')
    bpy.ops.mesh.subdivide(number_cuts=subdivisions)
    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='OBJECT')
    
    # Add some random displacement
    for v in obj.data.vertices:
        v.co.z += random.uniform(0, 2)
    
    return obj

terrain = create_terrain(100, 128)

This script creates a basic terrain with some random height variations. You can then sculpt and refine this base terrain.

Texturing Your Map

A map without textures is like a knight without armor - functional, but lacking flair. Let's dress up our creation:

1. UV unwrap your terrain mesh. In Blender, this is as simple as selecting your mesh, entering Edit mode, and pressing 'U' > 'Smart UV Project'.

2. Create a texture map. You can paint directly in Blender, or use an external software like GIMP or Photoshop. For our gorge, we'll need:

Rocky textures for the cliffs
A riverbed texture
Some grass and dirt for the pathways

3. Don't forget to create a normal map and a specular map for added detail.

4. For the water, we'll use Bannerlord's built-in water shader, but we can create a custom normal map for more realistic rapids.

Exporting Your Map

With our map sculpted and textured, it's time to prepare it for Bannerlord:

1. Export your terrain as an .obj file.

2. Export your water plane as a separate .obj file.

3. Save your textures as .dds files - Bannerlord prefers this format.

Setting Up the Mod Structure

Now we need to create the proper folder structure for our mod:

Place your exported files in their respective locations.

Creating the Scene File

The scene.xscene file is the heart of your custom map. It tells Bannerlord how to assemble everything. Here's a basic structure:

This is a simplified version - you'll need to add more details like flora, waypoints for troop spawns, and any additional objects you want in your scene.

Creating the SubModule.xml

The SubModule.xml file tells Bannerlord about your mod:

Testing Your Map

The moment of truth has arrived! To test your map:

1. Place your mod folder in the Bannerlord Modules directory.

2. Launch the game and enable your mod in the launcher.

3. Start a custom battle and look for your map in the list.

If all goes well, you should see Raven's Gorge in all its glory! If not, don't despair. Modding often involves a bit of trial and error. Check your scene.xscene file for any errors, ensure all paths are correct, and don't be afraid to iterate on your design.

Optimization and Polish

Once your map is working, it's time to optimize and add those finishing touches:

1. Adjust the lighting in your scene.xscene file to create the perfect atmosphere.

2. Add particle effects for things like mist or falling leaves.

3. Place strategic cover and obstacles to make battles more interesting.

4. Optimize your textures and meshes if you're experiencing performance issues.

Remember, the key to a great map is playability. Test your map thoroughly and gather feedback from other players.

Sharing Your Creation

Ready to unleash your masterpiece upon the world? Here's how to share your mod:

1. Create a detailed description of your map, including any special features or recommended game modes.

2. Take some attractive screenshots to showcase your work.

3. Upload your mod to NexusMods or the Steam Workshop.

4. Engage with your users, gather feedback, and continue to improve your creation!

Conclusion

And there you have it - your very own custom map mod for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord! We've journeyed from concept to creation, sculpting virtual landscapes and breathing life into digital battlefields. Remember, modding is as much an art as it is a science. Don't be discouraged if things don't work perfectly the first time - each attempt teaches you something new.

As you continue your modding adventure, you'll discover new techniques, overcome challenges, and perhaps even inspire others to create their own mods. The Bannerlord modding community is vibrant and always eager to see fresh content, so don't be shy about sharing your creations!

Now, grab your digital chisel and start carving out your legacy in the world of Calradia. Who knows? Your custom map might just become the next legendary battleground where players write their own tales of glory and conquest. Happy modding, and may your creativity flow as freely as the rapids of Raven's Gorge!