Medieval II: Total War - Modding Index

Tutorials, resources and tools for modding Medieval II: Total War:

For master list of modding tools (e.g. model exporters) see M2TW Modding Tools (to be merged here)

See also M2TW Modding Tutorials Category for tutorials contained on this Wiki.

The below listing provides links to tutorials, useful answers to common modding questions, resources and tools, divided by category.
When adding items please keep to existing format with the type of article first;

• Tutorial = extensive tutorial, step by step how to mod something etc.
• Answer = short piece on minor topic or answer to frequently asked question.
• Resource = lists of things that work in-game, docudemons, templates, downloads of helpful starting set-ups etc.
• Tool = modding tools, for extracting, modifying, verifying, re-packing etc.

General Set-up Information

The recommended starting point for any new Medieval II: Total War mod is to use a Bare Geomod folder as the base, this provides the modder with a fully functional mod-folder that already incorporates bug-fixes for the vanilla game.

• Tutorial - How to Set up M2TW for modding - by Alpaca
• Tutorial - How to Add Multiple Campaigns (aka provincial campaigns) - by Alpaca
• Answer - Using .cfg and .bat files - .org Research Wiki
• Answer - Using mod switch without bat file - by ShellShock
• Resource - Creating a World - Bare Geomod - by gigantus
• Resource - Mod Folder Installer - by Alpaca
• Resource - Basic Kingdoms Mod folder - by gigantus - superceded by Bare Geomod

Units

• Tutorial - Adding a New Unit - by Musashi
• Tutorial - Adding Other Factions Units to New Faction - by M3rcury15
• Tutorial - Creating Dismounted Version of Existing Unit - by Zorgrath
• Tutorial - Guide to Formatted modeldb File and Syntax Checker - by KnightErrant
• Tutorial - Enabling War Wagons and Wagon Walls - by DukeofSerbia
• Answer - Adding a Unit to the Game - Solutions to FAQs - by Hesford
• Answer - Changing Mount Type of Cavalry Unit - by AliAS
• Answer - Giving Units and Buildings the Free Upkeep Ability - by Agronak gro-Malog
• Tool - formatted modeldb file and associated syntax checker - by KnightErrant

Unit Cards

• Tutorial - Unit Cards TWC Wiki Article

Models

• Tutorial - Be a Modder: Doctoring of Medieval 2 units - by Ishan
• Tutorial - Mesh to MS3D basic tutorial - by zxiang1983 (requires Milkshape 3D v1.8 and Mesh 2 ms3d beta 0.18 by GrumpyOldMan)
• Tutorial - Getting your own (made from scratch) models into the game - by indian_boy90 (includes converting from Milkshape to 3DS Max etc)
• Tutorial - Converting RTW units to M2TW - by SigniferOne - images missing

Textures

• Tutorial - How to Edit Unit Textures - by Sir Lancelot - images missing
• Tutorial - PhotoShop Skinning Tutorial - by Halie Satanus - images missing
• Tutorial - How to make a normal texture file - by phoenix[illusion] - images missing

Animations

• Tutorial - Animation for Beginners - by Brian
• Answer - Unpacking Animation Files - by zxiang1983

Banners

• Resource - Battle Banner Templates - by B. Ward

Recruitment

• Tutorial - Using Era System to Recruit Units - by DukeofSerbia
• Answer - Creating ZoR (Zone of Recruitment) and Recruiting Mercenaries from Buildings - by TWoxy

Mapping

Campaign Map

• Tutorial - Introduction to Mapping Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 by GrnEyedDvl (Written for M2TW but also applicable for RTW) (Link to MapClass files)
• Tutorial - Making a New Campaign Map by Myrddraal (written for RTW but mostly applicable for M2TW)
• Tutorial - How I Make My Maps by BDH (covers use of satellite data - written for RTW but applicable for M2TW)
• Tutorial - Adding a New Region by Xerces
• Tutorial - Changing the Appearance of Cities by Ralendil
• Resource - Vanilla Map Settlement Position Numbers by Nem Godslayer
• Download - Stripped Down Map by Alpaca
• Answer - Map Editing for AI Path-Finding Problems Ongoing research project by nikolai1962
• Answer - DIY corrected regions map by Spur
• Tutorial - Adding detailed Regions by gigantus
• Tutorial - Adding permanent Stone Forts by gigantus
• Tutorial - Replacing Strat Models by gigantus

Battle Map

• Tutorial - Making Higher Level Settlements Display as Lower Level Settlements on the Battle Map by FactionHeir
• Answer - How to Disable Green Arrows and Unit Banners

Battle Map Structures

• Tutorial - [Battlemap Building Textures - by Makanyane needs updating for IWTE

Factions

• Tutorial - Creating a New Faction using Saxons and Normans by selenius4tsd
• Tutorial - Adding a New Faction from Nothing - Step by Step Guide by DukeofSerbia
• Tutorial - Guide to Emergent Factions in M2TW
• Answer - How to Unlock all Factions
• Resource- Adding a new Faction by gigantus

Characters

• Tutorial - Creating Hyper-Extended Family Trees by Lopus
• Answer - HowTo: Custom Portraits by antirelic

Traits & Ancillaries

• Tutorial - Beginners Guide to Coding Traits by Alpaca
• Tutorial - Beginners Guide to Triggers & Monitors by Alpaca
• Resource - List of Character Attributes supplied by CA, posted by Epistolary Richard

Scripting

• Resource - List of Events, Commands and Conditions supplied by CA, posted by Epistolary Richard
• Answer - Scripted unit recruitment pool replenishment by Epistolary Richard
• Tutorial - Alpaca's Script-O-Rama by Alpaca

Names

• Tutorial - Guide to Modding Character Names by deRougemont
• Download - Name Verifier by tornnight
• Download - Name Converter by gigantus

Sounds

• Tutorial - How to Extract the Sound Files

Music

• Tutorial - How to Add Your Own Music by Trajan

2D Graphics

• Tutorial - Adding a New Faction Symbol by Alpaca
• Tutorial - 'Eyecandy' (loading screens and menu) by Alletun
• Tutorial - Changing Faction Icon by AliAS

Miscellaneous

• Tutorial - Guide to Guilds by DarkKnight
• Tutorial - Guide to Missions by DarkKnight
• Tutorial - How To Add New Historic Events by selenius4tsd
• Tutorial - Adding A New Religion by uanime5
• Tutorial - Adding A New Culture by uanime5
• Answer - Guide to Game Mechanism Behind Assassins
• Answer - Changing the Counter from Turns to Years
• Answer - Changing the Number of Years per Turn
• Answer - How to Remove the Pope
• Answer - How to make a movie from battle replay

Total War Modding
Indexes to Tools, Tutorials & Resources by Game: Three Kingdoms | Warhammer I, II & III | Attila | Rome II | Shogun 2 | Napoleon: Total War | Empire: Total War | Medieval II: Total War | Rome: Total War & Remastered Cross Platform Information: Modelling, Textures and Graphics - Modding Index
Main Categories for Other Modding Pages on the Wiki: M2TW Modding Category | RTW Modding Category
Modding Workshops on TWC: Troy | Three Kingdoms | Brittania | Warhammer I, II & III | Attila | Rome II | Shogun 2 | Napoleon | Empire | Medieval II | Rome | Rome Remastered | Medieval I
Other Wiki Sections: Total War Center | Total War Series | Total War Mods | TWC Wiki