# Bannerlord Modding: Start Here

The setup every Bannerlord mod list needs: the right game version, the four library mods, a clean load order, and a way to undo things.

## What you need

- **The game on Steam:** [Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord](https://store.steampowered.com/app/261550/)
- **A mod site account:** [Nexus Mods](https://www.nexusmods.com/games/mountandblade2bannerlord) (free; Premium only speeds up downloads)
- **An unzipper:** [7-Zip](https://www.7-zip.org/) (many mods ship as `.7z`)
- **The four library mods most mods need** (often called "the BUTR mods"):
  - [Harmony](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/2006)
  - [ButterLib](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/2018)
  - [UIExtenderEx](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/2102)
  - [Mod Configuration Menu (MCM)](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/612): adds the in-game "Mod Options" screen
- **Optional:** [BLSE](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/1) (a launcher add-on that shows clearer errors and loads blocked files), [BUTRLoader](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/2513)

## 1. Pin your game version

Mods are built for one game version. Steam auto-updates, and an update can break a whole list overnight.

1. In Steam, right-click Bannerlord, then **Properties > Betas**.
2. Pick the branch your biggest mod lists on its page (for example `v1.4.7` or `v1.4.8`).
3. Match everything else to that version.

Your biggest mod (usually a total conversion) decides the version. Smaller mods follow it.

## 2. Where mods go

Every mod is a folder that goes in:

```
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Mount & Blade II Bannerlord\Modules
```

Your drive or Steam library may differ. Open the zip, find the folder that contains a `SubModule.xml`, and drop that folder into `Modules`. If you see `Modules\ModName\ModName\SubModule.xml`, it's one level too deep.

## 3. Unblock the files

Windows marks downloaded `.dll` files as "blocked", and the game silently refuses to load them. Fix it once per install:

- Use [Unblock DLLs](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/397) or [Module Unblocker](https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/181), or
- Run this in PowerShell (change the path if your game is elsewhere):

```
Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Mount & Blade II Bannerlord\Modules" -Recurse -Filter *.dll | Unblock-File
```

## 4. Load order

In the game's launcher, under **Mods**, top loads first. The safe shape:

1. Harmony, ButterLib, UIExtenderEx, MCM
2. The official modules (Native, SandBoxCore, Sandbox, StoryMode, CustomBattle, and the War Sails DLC module if you own it)
3. Your total conversion, if any
4. Everything else
5. Patches and "compatibility" mods, after the mods they patch

Read each mod page's "load after" notes. They beat any general rule.

## 5. Add mods in batches

Don't tick 30 mods and start a campaign.

1. Get to the **main menu** with only your core list. Quit.
2. Add 3 to 5 mods. Main menu again. Quit.
3. Repeat. If it crashes, the problem is in the last batch, and you only have a few to check.
4. Only then start a throwaway campaign, walk into a town, and fight one battle.

Change a mod's settings in **Options > Mod Options** before you start your real campaign. Some settings only apply to new games.

## 6. Back up before every change

Copy these two folders somewhere safe before you update the game or any mod:

```
Documents\Mount and Blade II Bannerlord\Game Saves
Documents\Mount and Blade II Bannerlord\Configs
```

`Configs\LauncherData.xml` is your exact tick list and load order. Save a copy and you can always get back to a working setup.

## Next

- Crashing? [Bannerlord crash fixing](https://www.classified.llc/modding/bannerlord/bannerlord-crash-fixing)
- Want a whole new world? [LOTR: Tales from the Age of Men](https://www.classified.llc/modding/bannerlord/lotr-tales-from-the-age-of-men), [Empires of Europe 1100](https://www.classified.llc/modding/bannerlord/empires-of-europe-1100), [Realm of Thrones](https://www.classified.llc/modding/bannerlord/realm-of-thrones)