Bannerlord Server Hosting

What is a Bannerlord custom server?

A Bannerlord custom server is a community-hosted multiplayer server running the official dedicated server software TaleWorlds released for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It runs independently of the game’s official matchmaking servers; whoever opens it decides its name, rules, map pool, player limit and admins. That is why clans, training communities, tournament organisers and communities focused on a particular mode open their own servers.

The official server software only runs the game’s multiplayer modes. It is important to be clear about this from the start: Bannerlord’s single-player campaign, the sandbox mode where you raise armies and build a kingdom on the map of Calradia, cannot be made multiplayer with the official dedicated server. Community mods that aim to let friends play the campaign together are separate projects; TaleWorlds does not support them and they have their own setup methods.

So when choosing Bannerlord server hosting, decide which experience you want to offer: the official custom server suits battlefield modes directly, while experiences such as persistent roleplay are built with community modules running on top of the multiplayer infrastructure.

Which game modes does a Bannerlord server support?

According to TaleWorlds’ modding documentation, the official Bannerlord custom server supports six multiplayer modes: Siege, Team Deathmatch, Captain, Skirmish, Duel and Battle. The mode is selected with the GameType value in the config file, and the server can rotate between maps with an automated battle cycle.

A server runs one mode at a time; communities that want to offer several modes usually open multiple servers on the same machine with different ports. A clan might keep a Siege server open in the evenings and a Duel training server during the day. Trying a few modes in the first weeks and comparing player numbers is the most practical way to settle on a permanent layout.

How do you get a Bannerlord server token?

A Bannerlord server token is generated by logging in to the game’s multiplayer lobby and typing customserver.gettoken into the console; the token file is saved in the Tokens subfolder of the Bannerlord directory in your Documents folder. Without this token the server cannot identify itself to TaleWorlds services and will not appear in the list.

1. Start Bannerlord and log in to the multiplayer lobby.
2. Open the console with ALT + ~.
3. Run the customserver.gettoken command.
4. Copy the generated token file to the same structure on the server, or pass the token with the /dedicatedcustomserverauthtoken launch argument.

The documentation stresses two important rules: the token is tied to your Bannerlord account and expires after 3 months. The server will not start with an expired token, so putting a renewal reminder in your calendar saves you from wondering, months later, why the server is down one morning. Because the token is tied to your account, do not share it in public channels; only the person responsible for the server should hold it.

Should a Bannerlord server run on Windows or Linux?

The Bannerlord dedicated server is released for Windows, and the FAQ in TaleWorlds’ modding documentation states that Linux server files are also available. The server appears in the Tools section of your Steam library as “Mount & Blade II: Dedicated Server” and can also be downloaded via SteamCMD; the documentation says Steam is currently the only distribution source.

Which operating system should you choose?

• Windows Server: file paths, log locations and most community guides in the documentation are written for Windows. Server files are located under bin/Win64_Shipping_Server. Troubleshooting is easier for first-time server owners.
• Linux: lower memory use and easier management as a service. If you will use community modules, always check whether the module author supports a Linux server; some modules are tested only on Windows.

In either case you need to keep the server on the same version as your game client; when the game updates, the server must be updated too. Whichever system you choose on a VDS, remember to protect remote access with an IP restriction.

How many resources does a Bannerlord server need per player count?

A Bannerlord server’s resource needs depend on the game mode and bot count as well as the number of players; small Duel or Skirmish servers run with a few gigabytes of RAM, while busy Siege servers need noticeably more CPU. The table above shows estimates.

The main factors that increase resource use:

• Player and bot count: in Captain mode the troops each player commands are calculated on the server; even if the player count looks low, the total number of soldiers is high.
• Siege mechanics: siege engines, gates and destructible structures in Siege mode add extra computation.
• Community modules: modules that use a persistent world, an economy or a database need more memory and disk than standard modes.
• Multiple instances: each server running on the same machine for a different mode uses its own memory.

With hundreds of units moving at once during battles, single-core CPU speed comes to the fore; fewer fast, dedicated cores beat many slow ones. On a LIONFIN VDS your cores are dedicated, so you are not affected by neighbouring servers during heavy fights. Watch CPU usage during battle hours in the first weeks and adjust the plan accordingly.

On disk, logs, custom maps and community modules take up space alongside the server files; archiving log files regularly and clearing old ones prevents the disk from filling up. Fast NVMe reads also shorten players’ waiting time during map loads.

Game server package or VDS for Bannerlord?

For Bannerlord the page shows VDS packages; you can install the server on a VDS yourself or request a ready-made installation through a support ticket. Needs such as token management, config files, module folders and separate instances for multiple modes make a virtual server with full access practical for this game.

What you can do on a VDS:

• Run different modes such as Siege, TDM and Duel at the same time on separate ports.
• Install community modules into the server’s Modules folder and manage their versions yourself.
• Expose the web admin panel only to specific IP addresses.
• Host your clan’s Discord bot and website on the same machine.
• Plan game updates and restarts on your own schedule.

In return, OS maintenance and security are your responsibility. For a comparison of the two models see game server package or VDS?. Package capacities can change, so we give no figures here; compare core, RAM and disk values against the current package table on this page. Rather than picking an oversized plan for a single small Duel server, moving to a larger plan as needs grow is more efficient.

If you have no server administration experience, you can request the initial installation via a support ticket and then handle day-to-day tasks such as config files, the map pool and token renewal yourself.

Which ports need to be open for a Bannerlord server?

The only port required for player connections on a Bannerlord server is 7210/UDP; the TCP port with the same number is needed only for the optional web admin panel and custom map downloads. This is documented on the server hosting page of TaleWorlds’ modding documentation.

If you will not use the web panel, keeping the TCP port closed reduces the attack surface; if you will, consider limiting access to your own IP address in the firewall. If you open a second server on the same machine, assign it a different port and open that port in the firewall too. If the port is open but the server still does not appear in the list, first check the token’s validity and the error lines in the server console.

How do you prepare the Bannerlord server config file?

A Bannerlord server is configured by executing, line by line, the commands in a text file named in the ds_config_*.txt format in the Modules/Native folder; the file is selected with the /dedicatedcustomserverconfigfile launch argument. TaleWorlds provides sample config files in the same folder, and your own file must also be located there.

Commonly used configuration commands:

• ServerName: the server name shown in the list.
• GameType: Siege, TeamDeathmatch, Captain, Skirmish, Duel or Battle.
• AdminPassword: password for the web panel and admin login; according to the documentation it is empty by default and setting a strong one is recommended.
• add_map_to_usable_maps and add_map_to_automated_battle_pool: usable maps and the map pool in the automated rotation.
• enable_automated_battle_switching and set_automated_battle_count: automatic map switching between matches and how many (-1 for unlimited).
• start_game_and_mission: starts the game and mission; without this line the process runs but gameplay does not begin.

Type list in the server console to see every supported command. Keeping a separate config file for each mode makes instances easier to manage.

Can you use mods and community modules on a Bannerlord server?

The Bannerlord server supports the module system, but every player connecting must have the same modules loaded as the server; with a module mismatch the player cannot join. The DedicatedCustomServerHelper module, previously downloaded separately, has been included in the base game since version 1.2.x; custom maps are downloaded to players through this infrastructure and the TCP port.

Things to watch on modded servers:

• Custom maps: community maps are the most common customisation; the map download feature needs the TCP port to be open.
• Gameplay modules: experiences such as persistent roleplay servers are built with community modules running on the multiplayer infrastructure (projects such as Persistent Empires, for example). These are not official TaleWorlds products; setup and support follow the module author’s documentation.
• Version compatibility: after a game update, modules may stay incompatible for a while; check the module author’s announcements before updating.
• Source: download modules only from trusted sources; code running on the server can access the whole machine.

Mods that promise multiplayer play of the single-player campaign are outside the scope of the official dedicated server and usually use their own server software.

How do you manage and protect a Bannerlord server?

A Bannerlord server is managed in two ways, through the web admin panel and the in-game admin panel, and the security of both rests on the AdminPassword value. The web panel is reached via the server’s IP address and port; in-game you join the server with the “Join as Admin” option and open the admin panel from the Escape menu.

The in-game panel offers mission options such as mode, map, cultures, round count, time limits and player limit; live settings such as the welcome message, team balance, friendly fire and class limits; and moderation tools such as mute, kick and ban. For announcements, /ab sends an on-screen broadcast and /ac a chat message.

Security recommendations:

1. Do not leave AdminPassword empty and use an unguessable password.
2. If you do not use the web panel, keep TCP 7210 closed.
3. Only the person responsible for the server should manage the token file and config files.
4. Protect remote desktop or SSH access with an IP restriction.

On the network side, the RouteFence firewall on LIONFIN infrastructure filters DDoS traffic at the network level and the infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by NOC and SOC teams (see our data center); this layer matters for competitive clan matches.

How do you organise a clan or tournament server?

On clan and tournament servers the goal is for every match to be played under the same rules, with a predictable map order and no unauthorised entries; this is achieved with password-protected access, a fixed configuration and a clear admin role. In Bannerlord communities, competitive matches are usually played in Skirmish or Battle mode, and training on Duel servers.

Recommendations for a well-run setup:

1. Separate config files: keep separate ds_config files for practice, official matches and public play. On match day you just start the server with the right file.
2. Fixed map pool: announce tournament maps in advance and add only those maps with add_map_to_usable_maps.
3. Match password: password-protect the server for official matches and share it only with team captains.
4. Single admin: during a match only the referee should access the admin panel; lock team balance, class limits and friendly fire settings before the match.
5. Record keeping: note match results and the version of the config file used; this is your reference in disputes.

Running the tournament server on a different port from the main community server on the same VDS keeps the match unaffected by crowds on the public server. Shutting down unnecessary instances during tournament hours reserves CPU for the match.

What are the most common Bannerlord server errors?

The most frequent Bannerlord server problems are an expired token, the game not being started, module mismatches and version differences between game and server. Log files and the server console usually show the cause directly.

• Server not in the list: the token has expired (3 months) or the token file is not in the right location. Generate a new token and copy it to the server.
• Process running but the game does not start: the config file is missing the start_game_and_mission line (or start_game and start_mission).
• Players cannot join: the player’s loaded modules differ from the server’s, or the game version differs.
• Custom map does not download: TCP 7210 is closed or the map has not been added to the usable maps list.
• Will not start after an update: the server files have not been updated, or a community module is incompatible with the new version.

If the problem persists, open a ticket from the Support section of the LIONFIN customer panel and attach the server log.