Introduction to Modding Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Greetings, fellow modders! Today, I'm going to walk you through the process of creating a custom weapon mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD). As someone who's spent countless hours tinkering with this game, I can tell you that modding KCD can be both challenging and rewarding. We'll be creating a unique longsword that not only looks impressive but also has its own set of stats and attributes.

Before we dive in, let's make sure we have all the necessary tools and knowledge. This tutorial assumes you have a basic understanding of 3D modeling and texturing. Don't worry if you're not an expert – I'll guide you through each step, explaining the nitty-gritty details along the way.

Setting Up Your Modding Environment

First things first, we need to set up our modding environment. Here's what you'll need:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance (obviously)
• Mod Tools for KCD (available on the official website)
• A 3D modeling software (I recommend Blender as it's free and powerful)
• A texture editing software (GIMP or Photoshop will do the trick)
• A text editor (Notepad++ is my go-to)

Once you have all these installed, let's set up the KCD Mod Tools:

1. Download the Mod Tools from the official KCD website
2. Extract the files to a folder of your choice
3. Run the "ModLauncher.exe" file
4. In the Mod Launcher, click on "Settings" and set your KCD installation directory

With that done, we're ready to start creating our custom weapon!

Designing Your Custom Weapon

Now comes the fun part – designing our weapon. For this tutorial, we'll be creating a longsword called "The Bohemian Blade". It'll have an intricately engraved blade and a unique hilt design inspired by Czech Gothic architecture.

Open up your 3D modeling software and start by creating a basic longsword shape. Remember, KCD is set in medieval Bohemia, so try to keep the design historically accurate. Here are some key points to consider:

• The blade should be about 90-100 cm long
• The hilt should be around 15-20 cm
• Keep the crossguard simple but elegant
• The pommel can be more decorative, perhaps featuring a Bohemian lion

Once you have the basic shape, it's time to add those intricate engravings. Use your modeling software's sculpting tools to create raised patterns on the blade. I like to add some Czech-inspired floral motifs and maybe a small coat of arms near the hilt.

Texturing Your Weapon

With the 3D model complete, let's move on to texturing. Export your UV maps from the 3D software and open them in your texture editing program. For "The Bohemian Blade", we want a mix of polished steel and gold inlays. Here's how I approach it:

1. Create a base metal texture for the blade
2. Add a subtle pattern to simulate Damascus steel
3. Paint golden highlights for the engravings
4. Create a separate texture for the hilt, mixing leather and metal textures
5. Add some wear and tear for realism – remember, this is a medieval weapon!

Once you're happy with your textures, save them in DDS format – this is what KCD uses for its textures.

Importing the Model into KCD

Now that we have our model and textures ready, it's time to import them into the game. Here's where the Mod Tools come in handy:

1. Open the Mod Launcher
2. Click on "Resource Editor"
3. In the Resource Editor, go to File > Import > FBX
4. Navigate to your 3D model file and import it
5. Once imported, right-click on your model in the Asset Browser and select "Create Prefab"

Your weapon is now in the game's format, but we're not done yet!

Creating Weapon Stats and Attributes

Every weapon in KCD needs stats and attributes. We'll create these using XML. Open your text editor and create a new file called "bohemian_blade.xml". Here's a sample of what the XML might look like:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<weapon>
  <name>The Bohemian Blade</name>
  <category>longsword</category>
  <damage>
    <slash>75</slash>
    <stab>65</stab>
  </damage>
  <speed>50</speed>
  <defense>60</defense>
  <durability>100</durability>
  <charisma>2</charisma>
  <value>2500</value>

Adjust these values to balance your weapon within the game. Remember, we want our mod to be fun, but not game-breaking!

Implementing the Weapon in the Game

Now comes the slightly tricky part – implementing the weapon in the game. We need to create a script that adds our weapon to the game world. Create a new file called "add_bohemian_blade.lua" and add the following code:

This script adds the weapon to the player's inventory for testing purposes. In a real mod, you might want to add it to a merchant's inventory or a specific loot table instead.

Testing Your Mod

Time to see our creation in action! Follow these steps to test your mod:

1. Place all your files (3D model, textures, XML, and Lua script) in a folder within the KCD Mod Tools directory
2. Open the Mod Launcher and click "Launch Game with Mods"
3. Load a save game
4. If everything worked correctly, you should see "The Bohemian Blade" in your inventory

Equip the sword and take a few swings. How does it look? How does it feel? This is where you might need to go back and tweak some values in your XML file to get the balance just right.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you're not seeing your weapon in-game, don't panic! Here are some common issues and their solutions:

• Weapon doesn't appear: Check your Lua script for errors. Make sure the weapon ID matches in all files.
• Textures look wrong: Ensure your texture files are in DDS format and properly linked in the Resource Editor.
• Game crashes: This could be due to improperly formatted XML. Double-check your weapon stats file for syntax errors.

Remember, modding is often a process of trial and error. Don't get discouraged if things don't work perfectly the first time!

Sharing Your Mod with the Community

Once you're happy with your creation, why not share it with other KCD fans? Here's how:

1. Package all your mod files into a zip archive
2. Write a clear description of your mod, including installation instructions
3. Create an account on NexusMods or a similar modding platform
4. Upload your mod and provide all necessary information

Don't forget to be responsive to user feedback and questions. The modding community is all about sharing and helping each other out!

Conclusion

And there you have it – your very own custom weapon mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance! We've covered everything from designing and modeling the weapon to implementing it in the game and sharing it with others. Remember, this is just the beginning. With these skills, you can create all sorts of mods – new armor, quests, or even entire locations!

Modding is a fantastic way to extend the life of games we love and express our creativity. It takes time and patience to master, but the satisfaction of seeing your creation come to life in-game is unparalleled. So keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Happy modding, and may your Bohemian Blade strike true in the fields of medieval Bohemia!