Calradia Under Fire is a dual purpose modlist for the v1.1.2 version of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Calradia Under Fire makes use of a mod launcher called Novus Launcher, which allows users to make and customize load order presets for mods. This is basically what MO2 is for Bethesda games. Bannerlord has a basic MO2 plugin, and allows you to make profile presets, but because of how the game is built, MO2 can only really operate as a virtual file system. You need an additional tool such as Novus Launcher or BUTRLoader to then organize the load order of the mods.
Calradia Under Fire ships with three Noxus Launcher presets. Two are meant to be the main modlist, which is meant to be played (almost) out of the box. It consists of 60 mods. The other preset is advanced users, or for those who want to build their own or test mods. That's where the real fun is. In all honesty you can make changes to either, but you should only touching the main one if you know what you're doing.
(This has nothing to do with the game Kingdoms: Under Fire)
Total Mods in MO2 (not reflected in the separate presets): here
Originally using only a RBM preset, I explored options and made two load order presets. Both generally consist of the same mods where applicable (eg Warbandlord profile does not have RBM armor patches else those armors will be too stronk).
CalradiaUnderFire-RBM is the load order preset that uses the Combat Module + AI Module of Realistic Battle Mod.
CalradiaUnderFire-WBL is the load order preset that instead uses Warbandlord + AI Module
BUTRStack is basically the BUTR stack + native modules. Contains the bare minimum mods such as Harmony and what not. This is for advanced users to make their own load order based off the mods provided within MO2, or to mess around and test mods without affecting the main one.
- Here is a small list of the more important mods I use, feel free to look up on them
- Realistic Battle Mod is a very complex mod that overhauls combat in more ways than one
- Warbandlord arguably the better combat mod
- Banner Kings is a core overhaul heavily inspired by Crusader Kings, lots of useful additions and changes
- Open Source Armory is one of the largest armor collections to date on Nexus, and kinda a little bloated but it has overall good armor in it.
- Neated's NPC Upgrade Equipment is a nice little mod that makes use of the armory mods I have.
- Warlords Battlefield is the troop overhaul of my pick. I really do not like the virgin troop trees of vanilla game.
- RTS Camera + Command System are two mods that allow better camera control and features in battle such as controlling troops after death, commanding your troops to attack formations, slow motion, etc
- Dismemberment Plus should be self explanatory
- Xorberax's Legacy has mini-modules in it, but I mostly use it for the ability to enable weapons to cut through everyone
- Distinguished Service allows troops to be promoted into companions through certain criteria
- Novus Launcher well.. self explanatory
- A unmodified copy of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord through Steam (I do not support anything else)
- A Nexus account (you don't need Premium but everyone should have an account)
- Your Bannerlord version must be v1.1.2 (I don't even know at this point, but it works on 1.1.2)
- Go to Properties > Beta and select None
- Make sure Language is set to English
- They really don't have any way to stop updates, so your best option is putting it so it only updates when you launch it. Set that.
- If the game updates, switch back to the v1.1.1 beta (I'll likely ultilize stock game feature if it becomes available)
Additionally, if you do not have .NET Desktop Runtime 6.0.14 - you need it. Novus Launcher won't work without it.
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See the recommended specs from the Steam page. You don't need a 4090 but you are expected to have a decent PC in 2023, and are expected to have an SSD for games. I would actually hope you install this on an SSD.
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You need around 91GB of free space for this modlist
- 47GB for the base game, already installed separately
- 44GB for the modlist (16GB downloads + 28GB install)
Download the latest version of Wabbajack. Install in a folder such as C:\Wabbajack. Do not install it to any of your Steam Library directories nor your game root folder. Do not extract it to locations such as Program Files, or User Directories like Documents, Downloads and so forth.
- Open Wabbajack and click
Browse Modlists - Tick on the
Show Unofficial listsoption in the top right corner of Wabbajack - Filter by Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Click the download button below the gallery image and wait for it to download.
- Either select
Install From Diskor wait for Wabbajack to automatically switch to the modlist installing tab. - You'll be prompted with a window to select where to install the modlist and its resource downloads, here is an example. I have it on my
F Drivewhich is a separate NVME SSD.
Target Modlistshould be automated, based on if you installed from disk or installed from the gallery.Modlist Installation Locationshould be anywhere but your Steam Library, Program Files or User Directories like My Documents, Downloads etcModlist Resource Downloadsshould follow the same rules but they do not have to be in the same folder. It's recommended you have your downloads on a fast drive.
Afterwards, hit the play button and wait. While waiting, you can read this readme.
You may run into some issues with Wabbajack, here are some common ones
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Could not download x:
- Large files can potentially fail due to connection issues. Re-run Wabbajack or download the file manually, but make sure you placed it in your downloads folder
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Wabbajack can't find the game folder
- The only thing I can recommend is actually buying the game
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Not an issue but you're installing it on an HDD and it's awfully slow
- Get an SSD
If you have Premium, WJ will request a Nexus login and use the api to download all mods automatically. Without Premium, you'll be prompted to manually download all the mods. There are 126 mods to download, and while only a small number of them contribute to the total size (16GB), you still have over 80 mods that are incredibly small in size to manually download when prompted in Wabbajack. If you don't like this, get Nexus Premium I dunno.
You can update the list the same way you install it, just be sure to check the changelog first. DO NOT manually update mods, unless you know what you're doing and you know how I made them, which you likely don't. I changed some mods around a little, so if you update them manually.. there could be an issue (eg. the RBM patches section)
Also, until Stock Game is available, every update you will have to change the MO2 paths, mainly for Novus Launcher.
Since I don't use the Stock Game folder, as it's not supported yet, paths aren't exactly saved from updates/compiles, so go do the following to quickly fix your paths. Do this first.
ModOrganizer_XLWDyaHVip.mp4
- Go to where you installed the modlist and look for the folder
GAME FILES FOLDER, findConfigs.7z - Use something like
7zipto open it. You'll see two folders:- Copy
Configsto your user documents eg...\Documents\Mount and Blade II Bannerlord - Copy
NovusLauncherto your root game folder eg...\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Mount & Blade II Bannerlord
- Copy
- Using the video above, add
NovusLauncher.exeas an executable (Use the plus sign, and navigiate to your root game folder where you extracted it, select the exe, hit apply) - Make sure your managed game under settings points to the base TaleWorlds Launcher
- Additionally, if you want Adonnay's really cool Exotic Weaponry to be added to the tournament prize pool, please navigate to the incovenient location known as
C:\ProgramData\Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord\AEWand modifyAEW.settings.xml, so the values are true instead of false. If you don't see the folder, google "how 2 show hidden files, folders and drives".
You are generally ready to play, there are some extra instructions and things to be aware of.
- Launch
ModOrganizer.exe - Launch
Novus Launcher.exefrom the MO2 drop down - Decide which preset you want to play
CalradiaUnderFire-RBM:
- Make sure only
Warlords Battlefield - RBM Versionis enabled in MO2 before runningNovus Launcher - Make sure you have the Combat Module in the RBM options via main menu enabled
- Double check for all armors, you have relevant RBM patches loaded after them (they should by default)
CalradiaUnderFire-WBL:
- Make sure only
Warlords Battlefieldis enabled in MO2 before runningNovus Launcher - Make sure you have the Combat Module in the RBM options via main menu disabled
- Make sure you have no RBM patches accidentally on your load order, they will make everyone even stronger
Adjust the following on every new game start:
- Improved Garrisons
- Press Left Alt + G, go to
NPC Settingsand make sure it looks like this. Do not enable food module(s)
- Press Left Alt + G, go to
By the way, there reasons why some options are disabled in the MCM options of mods.
- Realistic Battle Mod
- The Tournament Module is disabled because to ensure compability with Banner Kings
- Troop Overhaul is disabled because on both profiles because I use the troop overhaul Warlords Battlefield, which use their own non-RBM/RBM gear.
- Xorberax Legacy
- Deadly Combat and Deadly Horse Charge are disabled because I'm not sure they are balanced..
- Friendly Fire can be enabled/disabled, it's actually kinda funny
- Improved Garrisons
- Food Module(s) in the Left Alt + G settings are supposed to be disabled to ensure compatibility with Banner Kings
The rest of the changes are a work in progress, untested or personal balance changes I felt were okay.
A: Banner Kings. Read all about it in-game or here
A: Let me introduce you to Realistic Battle Mod. It's kinda feature bloated but it overhauls damage calculation. You need to get good, literally - level up your skills more. Swords, Maces, Axes.. they act differently against different types of armor. Also, there are 8 types of defenses: Head, Face, Neck, Shoulder, Lower Shoulder, Chest, Abdomen, Arms, and Legs. Check the shield icon in your inventory, next to your gear.
A: This isn't a question, but I'm also not really a fan of the Combat Module. I'm personally looking into disabling the Combat Module, which means disabling all the RBM patches, keeping the AI Module and adding Warbandlord A: Use the Warbandlord profile
A: This is a combined result of using a troop overhaul such as Warlords Battlefield, and using the combat module from RBM. You are fighting against random troops and lords who are using their innate gear and weapons, even if kills are non-lethal, it will naturally will be hard if you are low level with low skills. I might add the mod "Balanced Tournament Armor" to potentially address this and return it to the classic style of tournaments being more fair.
A: This question was like a 5 minute observation, but incase people think they might be making too much dineros.. No. I feel it'll balance out in the long run, especially with Banner Kings, Royal Armory's admission costs and what not. I generally don't care if it seems like too much, though.
A: Kinda hard to say, but if you must know a little about me: I'm someone who doesn't really care too much about balance and or restriction, I like power fantasy. For example, I like big dick troop trees, which is why I picked Warlords Battlefield. I don't care too much for lore friendly stuff.
A: I can't tell you why I don't use mods, and the sort. It can be any reason, but I generally want to keep it simple, I've only tested so many mods.
A: Sure. They work, I just don't know how well they work with this mod selection, eg Banner Kings. You're kinda on your own.
At the time of the writing, there's only real one known crash so far.. and it's a dreaded base game Sandbox Core crash that can happen when you approach a settlement. I have no real tips to avoid it, save your game somewhat often, and wait a bit before you head into a settlement.
- Bloc for making great mods, specifically Novus Launcher
- TW for making a great framework
- Bannerlord modding community for turning a framework into a damn house
- Halgari - for making Wabbajack. Wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
- You, made you look.