Welcome to the warsword mod, a mod based around the world of warhammer and set in the Old World. In this mod you can join and conquer with one of 11 factions or even start your own kingdom and go on to conquer the Old World as King. This mod has many different aspects to native M&B and we hope will be enjoyed by warhammer fans and newcomers to the genre.
Whilst this is not by any means the hardest mod out there, newcomers to the game Mount and Blade may find it difficult going, especially at the start. We would advise playing through a game or two of native mount and blade first to get used to how the game works.
The team would like to point out that this mod is not 100% faithful to warhammer lore nor did we set out for it to be. The M&B engine, limitations, balance, time and also own ideas meant that some things do not transmit from the real game and lore 1:1.
Backstory:
War rages in the Old World, this is no time for peace and no time for diplomacy. The forces of Chaos are descending from the north, displacing the race of Norseman and scattering them across the Old World, a once proud nation now living as bandits and brigands. Another power rises from the South, in the lands of Lustria, the ancient race of Lizardmen who seeing the Chaos threat and dismayed at the failure of the rest of the Old World to contain it, take it upon themselves to fight back and force them back into the darkness from whence they came. So used to staying safe in their own lands the lizardman form their invasion force to counter invade the vast Chaos armies and do what the other races could not.
The other factions are too busy involved in their other wars to see the threat of the north in the same way as the Lizardman despite some fighting them also. It is a dark time for the inhabitants of the Old World and as a player you will not hard pressed to find a cause to fight for.
Here are some of the features you can look forward to warsword release 2
11 factions each with their own armours, items and lords
The ability to become a player character of every faction race in the game
All new character creation options which affect your starting stats and equipment accordingly
24 brand new companions each with their own tale (some from the warhammer world, some created for the mod)
Massive Warhammer based battle
Revamped tournaments with special tournament characters and teams. Inc keep your own armour.
All new bandits
All new mercenaries
Faction patrols and prisoner trains
Permanent wars between factions
Each town, village, castle has population of correct faction
Special character Kings and Lords have magical weapons and armour giving powerful bonuses
The player has the chance to obtain magical weapons and armour for themselves
Below is a reference centre for information on the mod. We will not reveal too much but below is some info which it might be worth reading, especially about the special lords.
The factions
Spoiler: click to toggle
The Empire:
A vast land ruled by the Emporer Karl Franz. Their armies are well armoured and full of advanced weaponary in the form of handguns and pistols. Their knights are tough and their pistoliers bring death at a breakneck speed.
Chaos:
The hordelands from the north which release devastation on the Old World. The armies of Chaos consist of 4 minor factions of Khorne, Slaanesh, Nurgle and Undivided. Supported by hordes of marauders the Chaos Warriors, Knights and Chosen Ones are devastating on the battlefield an alarming prospect for every commander who comes up against them.
Bretonnia:
The Bretonnians are the the horsemasters and have armies full of gallant and courageous knights. At the head of their armies are the mighty Grail Knights with their awe inspiring will and long lances which deliver instant death to most who are unfortunate enough to get struck by them.
Orc Kingdom:
The Orcs are a big and brutal race of strong and tough fighters who arguably love fighting more than any othe race. Although their boar riders pack a real punch their real strength comes from the heavily armoured and powerful Black Orc Infantry who will stand toe to toe with any foe in the old world and fancy themselves to come off the better.
Lizardmen:
This naturally tough race have an array of unique weapons and their knights ride on Cold Ones just like the Dark Elves. Once an army finds themselves surrounded by the forces of Lustria it is almost certain death as their Revered Guardians and Scar Veterans are some of the toughest infantry in the game and their riders are comparable to the great champions of Chaos.
High Elves:
An old but fading race who are highly skilled with weapons and fight in ranks of strong and glistening armour. Their finest troop are the deadly dragon Princes who are often the last troops standing in close battle and they have some of the most powerful Lords in the game.
Wood Elves:
Led by the powerful King Orion the Wood Elves are the finest archers and the fastest horse riders in the game. Fast, deadly and very defensive of their home. Although lightly armoured compared to other armies and some troops like the wardancer only have magic tattoos to protect them, the Wood Elves usually don't allow their armies that close and when they do if their opponents are not fast enough they will be cut down in a tornado of blades.
Dark Elves:
The Dark Elves are defined by their powerful weapons and relentless attitude to battle. Their Royal Coldones are rarely brought down and their top tier troops have many ways to execute their enemies quickly and are led by the deadly Dark Elf Assassins. Their armies are supported by their ranks of crossbowmen who unleash storms of piercing bolts on their enemies.
Dwarves:
Although they lack mounted troops the Dwarves make up for it in sheer power and craft. Led by the most powerful Lords in the game and backed up by fierce slayers and powerful weapons such as muskets and blunderbusses they take pleasure in dismantling the mounted troops which race towards them. Tough shields and powerful axes make the Dwarves one of teh most resilient and effective armies in the Old World.
Skaven:
These foul rats are more like an infestation on the Old World than a Kingdom. Their faction does not dwell in one area like the others but is scattered all over the Old World wherever they managed to spawn their castles and towns. Fast and deadly they bring a quick death to their enemies and boast an array of crazy weaponary as well as the infamous assassin and ratogre troops.
Sylvania
The Vampire Count army led by the Vampire Lord Mannfred Von Carstein is an army of the undead legions of the Old World. Their Blood Knights descend upon their enemies on deadly nightmares and their infantry contains Wight Kings and Grim Reapers who endlessly bring more souls to join them in the underworld. Although small in size, this kingdom is powerful and only a brave faction would try and take it.
On the battlefield
Spoiler: click to toggle
The battles are hectic in warsword and there is a bit more to think about than native mount and blade. First of all are the firearm weapons are in the game. They are powerful and will usually one hit kill a troop but the reload speed is really slow providing a window of opportunity. The armies who make use of firearms are the Empire, Skaven and Dwarfs. Taking a note of how many firearm troops you are up against and considering your tactics can pay off while you are learning the mod.
The other thing you need to consider when fighting a faction lord is who you are up against. Lords are really tough troops as it is compared to normal troops. They have a big strength bonus to represent the 3 wounds they have compared to 1 a normal troop has and any ward saves the lords have a represented in a further strength boost. Needless to say lords are the crack troop in your opponents army.
However some Lords have more than just their extra strength to protect them. Some have special armours and weapons which turn them into one man killing machines. The next section will say who they are and what they have. It is worth taking note especially when you start out as taking on Ungrim Ironfist when you are low level and with a mediocre army is a death sentence
So pick your opponents carefully and consider your tactics carefully, is it better to leave your troops to deal with the special lord or will you take them on yourself to spare your troops the onslaught?
Lords with special weapons and armour
Spoiler: click to toggle
These are the lords with special items and what they are. An item with a star next to it is especially potent. There items are not lootbale or purchasable but you can get your own special items as explained in the next section.
King Orion: The Talon bow which fires arrows nearly as powerful as a seige crossbow
The Spear of Kurnous: Super sharp pointy spear of death
He also has 6 wounds and a further strength boost but he is lightly armoured compared to other lords
Karl Franz: Ghal Maraz: Devastating 2h warhammer*
Thorgrim Grudgebearer: Axe of Grimnir: 2handed axe
Archaon: Armour of Morkor*
He also has a massive strength bonus
King Malekith: Massive strength bonus from his armour of midnight
Grey Seer Thanquol: Given a special armour to differentiate him from his troops
He also has a big strength bonus
Grimgor Ironhide: Blood Forged armour *
Kurt Hellborg: Solland Runefang
Ludwig Schwarzhelm: Sword of Justice: Really fast 2 handed sword
Sorceress Morathi: Heart Render Lance
Crone Hellebron: Deathsword
Lord Fellheart: Red blades (which are not red due to item limit issue): really fast 2 handed sword
Gorbad Ironclaw: Morgler the Mangler: really fast axe
Deathmaster Snikch: Weeping blade
Ungrim Ironfist: Axe of Dargo*
Thorek Ironbrow: Rune Armour of Gromil*
Klad Barak: powerful 2 handed warhammer
King Kazador: Hammer of Karak Azul*
Prnce Tyrion: Dragon armour of Tyrion*
He also has a big strength bonus
Eltharion: Helm of Yvresse
Korhil: Pelt of Chanandis
Caradryn: Phoenix blade: Powerful Elven pike
How to get special items:
Spoiler: click to toggle
If you would like to be like the above characters and equip yourself with special weapons and armour then you need to find the Wizard Markas the Wise and purchase them from him when you are capable. Markas will sell to you freely when you are level 15 or above but if you wish to get your hands on one then there is a way you can do it. Every time you win a tournament you receive a winner