Our Favorite Mount & Blade: Bannerlord 2 Mods

After hundreds of hours spent galloping through Calradia, we’ve tested dozens of Bannerlord 2 mods, sifting through the endless possibilities to bring you a curated list of the very best.

Our journey wasn’t just about quantity; it was a quest for quality, seeking out mods for Bannerlord 2 that not only enhance gameplay but also provide a more immersive experience with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

This article isn’t an exhaustive directory but a showcase of our favourite Bannerlord 2 mods to refresh your experience with the game. Whether you’re a veteran warlord or a newcomer to the fray, you’ll surely find an interesting mod to try out.

Armor & weapon Bannerlord 2 mods

Here we will focus mostly on lore friendly mods that fit into the Bannerlord universe. For more armor mods, check out our total conversion mod list. Among other changes, it includes many fantasy armor options, such as Game of Thrones.  Here are the 5 armor and weapon mods for Bannerlord 2 that we liked most.

1.  Open Source Armory  

Download link: Nexus mods

This mod has an absolutely massive armour and weapon list. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into the existing aesthetic of the vanilla game. The items are fully lore friendly. 

The mod author took inspiration from real-life historical armors and weapons. Any gaps in the historical record are filled with low-fantasy concepts. Essentially they match the same style as the vanilla items.

Now here comes the list of items that you will get. (I hope you are ready for this):

• 883 new custom helmets: 151 Aserai, 165 Battanian, 194 Imperial, 115 Khuzait, 101 Sturgian & 157 Vlandian.
• 288 new custom capes: 54 Aserai, 66 Battanian, 81 Imperial, 34 Khuzait, 27 Sturgian & 26 Vlandian.
• 296 new custom body armors: 72 Aserai, 39 Battanian, 72 Imperial, 38 Khuzait, 23 Sturgian & 52 Vlandian.
• 70 new custom leg armors: 12 Aserai, 31 Battanian, 11 Imperial, 7 Khuzait, 2 Sturgian & 7 Vlandian.
• 50 new custom arm armour: 4 Aserai, 18 Battanian, 9 Imperial, 3 Khuzait, 7 Sturgian & 9 Vlandian.
• 63 new custom shields: 13 Aserai, 7 Battanian, 20 Imperial, 9 Khuzait, 8 Sturgian & 6 Vlandian.
• 105 new custom weapons and weapon parts.
• 61 new custom horse armors: 15 Aserai, 22 Imperial, 12 Khuzait & 12 Vlandian.
• 10 new custom camel armors.

Oh yeah! This Bannerlord 2 mod is always almost the first thing we install on our playthroughs.

2. Swadian Armoury

Download link: Nexus mods

This mod isn’t superlore accurate. It features late medieval full plate armour. But we still think it fits well enough into the game (especially if you’re playing Vlandia). Plus the armors in this mod look absolutely amazing.

Here is a short list of some of the armour pieces:

• 3 bascinet helmet with visor variations
• 3 full plate helmet variations
• 2 Italio Norman helmet variations
• 4 fluted helmet with facemask variations
• 5 great helm variations
• 3 winged great helm variations
• 3 Vlandian helm with visor variations
• 2 Swadian plated shoulders variations
• 5 coat of plate armour variations
• 9 Swadian plate armour variations
• 5 mail with surcoat variations
• 4 second great helm variations
• chainmail shoulders
• 2 plate boots variations
• 2 full helm variations
• 4 sugarloaf helm variations
• 3 other plate armour chest variations
• 3 other plate armour boots variations
• 3 other plate armour gloves variations
• houndskull bascinet helmet
• bascinet with a faceplate helmet
• 3 different plate armour variations
• 3 plate boots variations
• 3 gauntlets variations
• 2 hound skull helmet variations
• 2 armet variations
• 7 coat of plates mixed with plate armour variations

3. Vaegir Armoury

Download link: Nexus mods

This mod is a lot shorter than the ones before but it adds some really cool variations of armors for our Slavic/Nordic Sturgia enjoyers.

4. Bandit armors

Download link: Nexus mods

This armor is based on Battania culture and fist really well (plus you finally get your horned helmet). The armor has been rigged appropriately to minimize clipping. It ensures proper cloth physics. Additionally, it supports banner colors. It has proper LODs, ensuring that it will not adversely affect performance.

There are 2 sets in it:

• Viking Raider Armor
• Wilding Hunter Armor

5. Medieval armor

Download link: Nexus mods

Speaking of smaller armour mods this one gives you a nice set of late milanese plate armour. If you are not a fan of complex Bannerlord 2 mods, or you just want to add more plate armour to your existing list, this might be the one for you.

Currently this mod contains:

• Armet Helmet
• Milanese Plate Armour
• Poleaxe Weapon
• Sallet Helmet
• Milanese Gauntlets
• Painted Sallet Helmet
• Milanese Greaves
• Fauchard Weapon
• Axes

Gameplay and Quality of Life (QoL) Bannerlord 2 mods

In this section we will focus on mods that will improve your gameplay and give you some new features. We will also touch on the systems that are already in the game with some quality of life edits.

6. Detailed character creation

Download link: Nexus mods

This amazing Bannerlord 2 mod will give you detailed character customization options. You can adjust weight, build, and age. You can even modify NPC appearances. It is amazing for those people who want more options in what is a bit of a lacklustre character creator.

7. Realistic battle mod

Download link: Nexus mods

By implementing this Bannerlord 2 mod, combat becomes more realistic as the armor values are determined by experimental data. Armored units become more resistant to damage, depending on the weapon used against them, and each weapon type has a different effect on armour.

All units become more defensive, with shielded units using their shields as intended. Projectiles now cause damage based on their kinetic energy, which is determined through simulations based on real-life experimental data. Horse charge damage is now based on physics, and couched lancing is scientifically accurate

Battles last significantly longer due to these changes. Additionally, AI armies use more tactics, and spears are buffed in melee when compared to vanilla. There is an extensive list of changes on the front page of the mod that you can check out yourself, but from personal experience this mod never leaves out load order as it makes battles a lot more interesting.

8. Dismemberment plus

Download link: Nexus mods

When this mod is installed in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord it adds complete dismemberment and decapitation to combat. 

If the player has the necessary skill, they can remove specific body parts from their enemies. These include the head, arm, hand, leg, and foot. They can use weapons such as axes, swords, or glaives. 

This mod is not for the faith of heart!

9. Improved Garrisons

Download link: Nexus mods

The Improved Garrisons mod for Mount & Blade Bannerlord enhances the management of castles and settlements. Upon installation, an Improved Garrison will be available in each of the player’s fiefs. 

It offers advanced features like recruitment, garrison training, and guard parties. They are equipped with custom AI to defend the player’s properties. 

The mod has been designed with compatibility and convenience in mind. It aims to deliver a balanced experience for players in their Bannerlord playthrough. There is a more extensive list of features that you can check on the mod authors page.

10. Serve as a soldier

Download link: Nexus mods

Do you like battling in this game but are not too crazy about managing your own army and deciding what to do next on the big map? Well this mod might be for you as it will let you join an already existing Warband and serve in it like a common soldier. Your lord will direct you where to go and when to fight.

Here are the main features included in this Bannerlord 2 mod:

• Random events.
• Your own persona retinue. 
• 2 additional combat skills when you join up.
• Faster healing rates.
• Option to command some of the troops when you reach rank 6.
• Option to lure out bandits while serving.
• Option to ride out with cavalry to attack the enemies caravans and villages.
• Option to participate in tournaments in the towns.

Total conversion Bannerlord 2 mods

These mods completely overhaul the world of Bannerlord 2. Some even transform it into a few of our favorite fantasy franchises. These mods will cover everything from making a whole new map, world building, and creating new armors and weapons. They’ll also add new characters and much more.

11. Game of Thrones

Download link: Nexus mods

If you ever wanted to transform your game into the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos from Game of Thrones we have you covered. This Bannerlord 2 mod will add hundreds of characters and over twenty kingdoms.

The mod includes the Free Folk, who live north of the wall, and the Dothraki of the Great Grass Sea. You can also play as the Starks, Lannisters, and nearly every other faction.

Here are some of the mod’s main features:

• Custom map of Westeros and a large part of Essos.
• 20 new kingdoms added and existing kingdoms converted.
• 21 new cultures.
• Lots of new basic, noble and House troop trees.
• Hundreds of custom NPCs from Game of Thrones.
• Hundreds of new armors and weapons
• Hordes of wights roaming north of the wall and a one v. one encounter with the Night King
• All native clans converted and over 100 new ones added
• Hundreds of towns, castles and villages added
• Giants, Robber Knights, Skagosi, Kingswood Outlaws and 34 custom wanderers
• 10 custom mercenary clans with custom leaders
• Unique weapons wielded by lords

12. Warhammer – Old realms

Download links: Core Module, Armory, Environment

The aim of the Old Realms mod is to completely transform Bannerlord into Warhammer Fantasy. The project is in its early stages and the mod developers are gradually adding new and improved factions to the game.

The current Steam Release version of TOR offers two playable factions. These include the Vampire Counts and several Empire states. It also includes added Vampire visuals for players. 

In addition to this, players can enjoy major features like combat magic. It allows them to summon the undead or cast fireballs. They can also place battle cannons. Both these features are available to both players and AI. They are set within a custom-made campaign map.

13. Eagle Rising – Roman Empire

Download link: Nexus mods

Did you ever wish you could join your troops in Rome Total War? Or do you just love a period of the Roman Empire? This mod will take a step into the past and overhaul it to look like it is still in the age of antiquity.

Here are the features you can expect from this Bannerlord 2 mod:

 Factions:

1. Rome (Empire)
2. Dacia
3. Scythia / Sarmatia
4. Celts
5. Carthage

The mod will also feature a new armoury system (including Faction Armor), special bodyguards that you can unlock, new settlement infrastructure and much more

These are just some of the amazing mods that you can find on nexus or steam workshop. We hope some of them hit the spot for you and made you reinstall the game and have a lot more hours of fun.

Conclusion

We’ve handpicked these Bannerlord 2 mods after a lot of testing, just for you. They’re the best of the bunch, making your game cooler and more fun. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Happy modding and see you in Calradia!