In need of advice from the modding pros

[Acid Velociraptor]

Hi! I'm a new player to Bannerlord, though Warband was my childhood game. I am loving it so far, but I'm starting to feel a bit of tiredness starting to creep in, as I am quite familiar with the formula. I wish to of course pursue modding and I've modded before, however I read many concering posts regarding crashes, versioning and of course - the infamous patches. I have a few concerns myself and I would greatly appreciate answers from people more experienced than I.

1. Firstly, I have started playing on the 1.2.11 version of the game and have already +20 hours into the game and I really would not like to lose that progress. From what I've read, most mods need to be updated along with the game, otherwise they can be unstable, so naturally many mods are unplayable on new/newer versions, because they have'nt been adapted to it. Is there any way to revert to a previous version of the game (I don't mean like early access, but something more 'stable' then the newest version) and retain my save? Currently the only mod I use is one making all the items able to be worn in towns ("All Equipment Civilian"), so I guess it's not invasive (the mod description says it does'nt affect save data). I would assume it's possible in the 1.2.X family, as the last digit supposedly indicates "only" patches, but maybe someone has done an operation of that kind?

2. Second question - can mods really break whole saves? Like break break, with no hope of restoring them? I've read many threads where people said that a mod not adapted to a current version of the game (due to automatic updates) ruined/corrupted their save and I wonder if this applies to backups as well? I'm sorry if this one is silly, but I just could not find a reply saying anything about backups and it's better to be safe than sorry. I would like to test some mods (on Nexus ofc), but I really don't want to replay those 20 hrs again.

3. Third one, bit more specific - I want to play with the Diplomacy mod, it seems really essential, but I'm worried about the BLSE dependacy - well, it's not actually a dependacy, just a recomendation from the author, but I have not seen any guides/instructions or really confirmations that it works without it. However, what I've seen is some people complaining in the posts section on Nexus, that BLSE "ruined their game". Has anyone managed to play without it or with it on the 1.2.X verions? And, in a callback to the previous question, can the "game ruining" be countered with backup saves?

4. And last one - If I lock the game to a certain version in the Steam settings, it is possible that eventually something breaks? Let's say if I find a modlist that suits me, can I hypothetically play it forever?

Sorry if the above are noob questions, I have either not found satysfying answers or found conflicting ones, so I wanted to be certain and avoid breaking anything if possible. Plus maybe someone with the same concerns will find this thread and learn from it.

Cheers!

 

[CharlesFord]

Hi! I'm a new player to Bannerlord, though Warband was my childhood game. I am loving it so far, but I'm starting to feel a bit of tiredness starting to creep in, as I am quite familiar with the formula. I wish to of course pursue modding and I've modded before, however I read many concering posts regarding crashes, versioning and of course - the infamous patches. I have a few concerns myself and I would greatly appreciate answers from people more experienced than I.

1. Firstly, I have started playing on the 1.2.11 version of the game and have already +20 hours into the game and I really would not like to lose that progress. From what I've read, most mods need to be updated along with the game, otherwise they can be unstable, so naturally many mods are unplayable on new/newer versions, because they have'nt been adapted to it. Is there any way to revert to a previous version of the game (I don't mean like early access, but something more 'stable' then the newest version) and retain my save? Currently the only mod I use is one making all the items able to be worn in towns ("All Equipment Civilian"), so I guess it's not invasive (the mod description says it does'nt affect save data). I would assume it's possible in the 1.2.X family, as the last digit supposedly indicates "only" patches, but maybe someone has done an operation of that kind?

2. Second question - can mods really break whole saves? Like break break, with no hope of restoring them? I've read many threads where people said that a mod not adapted to a current version of the game (due to automatic updates) ruined/corrupted their save and I wonder if this applies to backups as well? I'm sorry if this one is silly, but I just could not find a reply saying anything about backups and it's better to be safe than sorry. I would like to test some mods (on Nexus ofc), but I really don't want to replay those 20 hrs again.

3. Third one, bit more specific - I want to play with the Diplomacy mod, it seems really essential, but I'm worried about the BLSE dependacy - well, it's not actually a dependacy, just a recomendation from the author, but I have not seen any guides/instructions or really confirmations that it works without it. However, what I've seen is some people complaining in the posts section on Nexus, that BLSE "ruined their game". Has anyone managed to play without it or with it on the 1.2.X verions? And, in a callback to the previous question, can the "game ruining" be countered with backup saves?

4. And last one - If I lock the game to a certain version in the Steam settings, it is possible that eventually something breaks? Let's say if I find a modlist that suits me, can I hypothetically play it forever?

Sorry if the above are noob questions, I have either not found satysfying answers or found conflicting ones, so I wanted to be certain and avoid breaking anything if possible. Plus maybe someone with the same concerns will find this thread and learn from it.

Cheers!

Welcome to Bannerlord! It’s awesome that you’re diving into modding after playing Warband for years—it’s a great way to keep the game fresh and tailor it to your preferences. I totally understand your concerns, especially since Bannerlord modding has a few quirks and risks that aren’t always intuitive. Let’s break down your questions one by one:

1. Reverting to Previous Versions & Retaining Saves​

Yes, it is possible to revert to a previous version of Bannerlord through Steam. You can lock the game to a specific version by right-clicking the game in your Steam library, selecting Properties, and navigating to the Betas tab. From there, you can select an earlier stable version from the dropdown menu. Since you’re on 1.2.11 and your mod is non-invasive (it doesn’t alter save data), you should be able to revert within the same minor version (1.2.X) without breaking your save. Just make sure to double-check that the version you’re reverting to still supports your current save.

However, be cautious when reverting to significantly older versions, as more invasive mods or drastic changes between versions can cause incompatibility issues with saved games. It’s always good practice to back up your saves just in case—better to be safe than sorry.

2. Can Mods Break Saves?​

Yes, unfortunately, mods can definitely break saves, sometimes irreparably. This can happen if a mod is either not compatible with the game version you're playing or if the mod alters core game systems. For instance, a mod that changes troop trees, adds new items, or alters diplomacy could cause your save to break if you remove or update the mod incorrectly.

Backing up your saves can protect you to a degree. If you keep your save files backed up in a separate folder before adding new mods, you should be able to revert to a previous point if something goes wrong. However, if a save becomes corrupted due to a mod, even backups can become unusable, particularly if the mod altered game files in ways that affect the entire save structure.

The key is to thoroughly read mod descriptions and ensure that the mod is compatible with the version of the game you're playing. Stick to well-maintained mods with active updates and community feedback to minimize risk.

3. Diplomacy Mod & BLSE Dependency​

The Diplomacy mod is widely praised and can definitely enhance your game experience, especially since you're looking for more depth beyond the vanilla options. However, the Bannerlord Script Extender (BLSE), while recommended, is known to cause some issues, especially if it’s not kept up to date with the game. People who experience crashes or "game-ruining" bugs often have compatibility issues between BLSE, other mods, and Bannerlord updates.

It is possible to run Diplomacy without BLSE, but you might lose out on certain features, or the mod might run less smoothly. BLSE expands the mod’s functionality, so not using it may limit certain aspects. That said, many players avoid BLSE because of potential instabilities and incompatibilities, and you might want to test the mod without it first. Again, back up your saves before trying it with BLSE, just in case.

4. Locking the Game to a Version​

Yes, you can lock the game to a specific version via Steam, and in theory, you can stick with that version indefinitely. However, there are a few caveats:

• Mod Compatibility: Mods are developed to work with specific versions of Bannerlord, so if you’re locked into one version, future mods or updates to existing mods might not be compatible with your game.
• Game Bugs: If the version you lock to has bugs, you’ll be stuck with those bugs unless you update the game or a mod fixes them. This can be a double-edged sword because, while you might avoid future issues, you’ll also be locked out of potential fixes.

If you find a stable setup with mods you love, locking the game to that version could let you play for a long time without issues. Just keep in mind that if the mods require frequent updates or fixes, you might miss out on improvements.

Final Advice:​

• Always back up your saves before adding or updating mods. This is the easiest way to safeguard your progress.
• Check mod compatibility with your game version. The mod pages on Nexus Mods usually provide detailed information about which versions of the game are supported.
• Test mods on a separate save before committing them to your main game. This way, you can avoid the heartbreak of a corrupted save.
• Disable auto-updates in Steam for Bannerlord to prevent unexpected version changes from breaking your mods.

It’s great to be cautious, and with the right precautions, you can enjoy modding without too much risk of breaking your game. Happy modding, and good luck with your Bannerlord adventures!