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.

You are welcome to edit this page, please read these notes for guidance:-

When adding subject areas please use this layout. When adding items please keep to existing format with the type of article first; Tutorial = extensive tutorial or guide, 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. If you remove a link because an item is superseded, shown not to work, etc. please copy the link to the discussion page and note your reason for removal.

Items marked in bold are likely to be widely useful and form a good starting point on the subject. Items marked in italics may be of limited use, due to missing images or being superseded by later articles.

General Information

• Tutorial - Crashes and how to fix them - by uanime5

Mod-folder Set-up and Resources

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 - Creating a World - Using Kingdom Campaigns as Mod Base - by gigantus
• Resource - Mod Folder Installer - by Alpaca
• Resource - Basic Kingdoms Mod folder - by gigantus - superceded by Bare Geomod

Unpacking

Modders will normally need to unpack the base game to access the original files. Sounds and animations remain packed within the unpacked file structure, see sections below for unpacking them.

Units

Getting Units in Game

• Tutorial - Adding a New Unit - by Musashi
• Tutorial - Adding Other Factions Units to New Faction - by M3rcury15
• Tutorial - Creating a World - Importing units from another mod - by Gigantus
• Tutorial - How to add a new unit into game - by Stephan
• Tutorial - How to add an existing unit to another faction - by Stephan
• 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
• Tutorial - Taro's bag o' tricks (tutorial + some recources) - by Taro_M - multiple topics and sections
• Tutorial - The Guide to the BMDB (battle_models.modeldb) for absolute beginners and non-English speakers - by BM309K58SMERCH
• Tutorial - A Guide on the Descr_Mount.txt - by Polycarpe
• Tutorial - Let's Mod - Age of Petty Kings: Unit Creation - by AdmiralThrawn - video tutorials
• Tutorial - How to add a mangonel to retrofit or bare kingdoms mod - by Ishan
• Tutorial - How to add mercenaries - by impspy
• Tutorial - How to add a Greek Fire Unit - by J@mes - images missing
  
• Tutorial - How to make Mounted Greekfirethrowers/Naffatun with just text - by Eothese
• Tutorial - How to create a GreekFire Cannon - by Eothese
• Answer - Adding a Unit to the Game - Solutions to FAQs - by Hesford
• Answer - Changing Mount Type of Cavalry Unit - by AliAS
• Answer - How to remove "unlocalized placement text" - by Nakharar
• Answer - How to add an animal handler unit (Wardogs) - by Eothese
• Answer - Quick and dirty method for enabling units for all factions - by Taiji
• Answer - Turning footsoldiers into Captains & Generals with text editing only - by Dimitri_Harkov
• Answer - How to Add Heroes in Custom Battle - by Arandir Tur-Anion de Bodemloze
• Answer - Single Model Units in Campaign - by Moneybags14
• Tool - formatted modeldb file and associated syntax checker - by KnightErrant

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 PartyElite (includes converting from Milkshape to 3DS Max etc)
• Tutorial - Creating a World - LOD reduction without texture loss - by Gigantus
• Tutorial - Adding MARKA Horses in your mod and creating new versions of them. - by AnthoniusII
• Tutorial - RTW -> MTW2 (converting a RTW cas to MTW2 mesh and setting up in game) - by TSD
• Tutorial - Learn-on-the-job series, AKA "Holding a noob's hand" - by paleologos
• Tutorial - How to merge materials without Grumpyoldmen´s converter - by Icedie El Guaraní
• Tutorial - Finishing Actions before Saving & Exiting a MilkShape model. - by paleologos
• Tutorial - Learn-by-Example Modelling 01:Medieval Dagger - by G|I|Sandy
• Tutorial - Learn-by-Example Modelling 02:Composite UV-Mapping - by G|I|Sandy
• Tutorial - Learn-by-Example Modelling 03:Human Body - by G|I|Sandy - images missing
• Tutorial - Converting RTW units to M2TW - by SigniferOne - images missing
• Tutorial - How to edit M2TW MESH - by Andromachus - images missing
• Tutorial- Adding completely custom weapons to a default figure - by BM309K58SMERCH - images missing
• Answer - Battle model comments - by JuL14n
• Answer - How to: Fix .obj file errors! - by Snelhest
• Answer - Unpack KINGDOMS mesh files so you can convert them to ms3d using GOAT - by colesy606 - where CA unpacker .mesh format is wrong
• Answer - How to fix the UV problem with Taleworlds Models - by warman222
• Answer - Normal maps not applied to converted lod1 - by paleologos
• Answer - How to remove split mesh seams - by Maяcel - images missing
• Answer - How to create a dismounted knight - by Veltro - images missing
• Answer - How-To: UV map merged models - by TWoxy - images missing

Textures

• Tutorial - How to create a normal texture file with gimp - by Aneirin
• Tutorial - Normal Map with GIMP - by Icedie El Guaraní - pdf available
• Tutorial - How to Edit Unit Textures - by Che - images missing
• Tutorial - PhotoShop Skinning Tutorial - by Halie Satanus - images missing
• Tutorial - How to make a normal texture file - by phoenix[illusion] - images missing
• Tutorial - Learn-by-Example Modelling 04:Multi-layered Normal Maps - by G|I|Sandy - images missing
• Tutorial - Normal Mapping in Layers - by sumskilz - images missing
• Answer - Mini tutorial on metallic surfaces - by paleologos

Animations

• Tutorial - Animation for Beginners - by Brian
• Tutorial - How to merge animations from 2 different mods - by Lifthrasir
• Tutorial - The Total guide to Animation in MS3D for M2TW - by BM309K58SMERCH - ms3d section not completed
• Tutorial - Bwian's Guide to the Infinite Possibilities of Animations - by Brian
• Tutorial - Bowstring animated model creation - by AnthoniusII
• Tutorial - How to make musketeers fire by rank perfectly - by BM309K58SMERCH
• Answer - Unpacking Animation Files - by zxiang1983

Unit Sprites

• Tutorial - Creating a World - Unit Sprite Generating - by gigantus - includes set-up resource

Unit Cards

Making unit cards could also be treated solely as a 2D Graphics issue, but most mods choose to use renders of the unit model in animation pose.

• Tutorial - Making unit cards for M2TW using Milkshape and Photoshop - by Marcus Orentius
• Tutorial - How to make Unit Cards for Mounted Units - by Caesar Clivus - addendum to Marcus Orentius's tutorial - images missing
• Tutorial - Making a unit card - easy and fast method - by Rafkos - doesn't need 3d program
• Tutorial - Unit Cards TWC Wiki Article

Unit Flags/Banners

• Resource - Battle Banner Templates - by B. Ward

Unit Stats and Abilities

• Tutorial - A Beginner's Guide to the Export_Descr_Unit - by Mythic_Commodore
• Tutorial - A Guide on the Descr_Projectile.txt - by Polycarpe
• Answer - Creating a World - Functional Grape Shot - by Gigantus
• Answer - Addressing the AI Precursor Bug - by z3n - fix for javelin/throwing units
• Answer - More Artillery Pieces in a Unit - by Trajan
• Answer - How to make crossbowmen rate of fire slower - by asiJa
• Answer - The Holy Banana of Jerusalem (Projectile) - by Aranruth
• Answer - How to use weapon upgrades sensibly - by Taiji
• Answer - How to: Improve cavalry charges - by Krieg_Boy
• Answer - How to add another armour upgrade to units - by PurpleScotch
• Answer - effective phalanx with pike and sword - by alexgold

Campaign Map

Mapping

• 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 - Creating a World - Adding detailed Regions - by gigantus
• Tutorial - Creating a World - Adding permanent Stone Forts - by gigantus
• Tutorial - Nakharar's Basics: Descr_strat - by Nakharar
• Answer - DIY corrected regions map - by Spur
• Answer - Zeph's Adding Regions To Any Faction Tutorial - by Zephrelial
• Answer - Errabundi's Rebels Right in Place (RRiP) - by Errabundi
• Answer - How to create new Hidden_Resource - by Polycarpe
• Answer - Make crusades, hording targets, and jihad available for every settlement - by Axe-Battler
• Resource - Map Editing for AI Path-Finding Problems - by nikolai1962 research project
• Resource - Stripped Down Map - by Alpaca
• Resource - Vanilla Map Settlement Position Numbers - by Nem Godslayer

Strat Models

See also Characters section for figure strat models.

• Tutorial - Forts: Everything you need to know about permanent, stone and/or buildable forts - by UraniumAtom
• Answer - How to: Change Fort model on Campaign and Battlemap - by Göteborgare images missing

Campaign Elements

Cultures

• Tutorial - Adding A New Culture - by uanime5

Factions

• Tutorial - Creating a World – Adding a new Faction - by Gigantus - pdf manual with resources
• 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 - Adding a new Faction - by gigantus - pdf download
• Tutorial - Example of Transforming a Faction into Another - by Zymran
• Tutorial - How to create an emerging faction - by Swagger
• Tutorial - How to create an emerging faction with Barons Alliance script - by Polpolgio
• Tutorial - How to create a playable horde - by boboav
• Tutorial - Guide to Emergent Factions in M2TW - TWC Wiki Article
• Answer - Bwians guide to changing a factions name - by Bwian
• Answer - More money for all factions - by Amorphos

Characters

• Tutorial - How to add strat map character levels & change battle models - by Ishan
• Tutorial - Strat Map Models Reloaded - by Alletun - converting battle models to strat characters - images missing
• Tutorial - Creating a World – Character portraits, creation and use - by gigantus
• Tutorial - How to add new models different for each faction (for the campaign map) - by =NF= Vasileios_the2nd
• Tutorial - Hero Abilities - by ackrite26
• Tutorial - Family trees compendium of knowledge - by Kiliç Alì
• Answer - Creating a World - Replacing Strat Models - by gigantus
• Answer - Creating a World - Killing characters multiple ways - by Gigantus
• Answer - Creating Hyper-Extended Family Trees - by Lopus
• Answer - Making a Family Tree With an Under Age Faction Heir or Leader - by TNZ
• Answer - How to force male offspring and more than four children - by Furin
• Answer - HowTo: Custom Portraits - by antirelic

Agents

• Tutorial - Working Patriarch & Redesigned Bishops - by gracul
• Answer - Creating a World - Faction Limits for Agents - by Gigantus
• Resource - Guide to Game Mechanism Behind Assassins - TWC Wiki Article

Traits, Ancillaries and Attributes

• Tutorial - Beginners Guide to Coding Traits - by Alpaca
• Tutorial - Beginners Guide to Triggers & Monitors - by Alpaca
• Tutorial - How To: The Ancillary Guide - by Swagger
• Tutorial - Leader traits with faction-wide effects - by gracul
• Tutorial - How to make family/clan/tribe traits for your faction - by Spice Master
• Answer - How piety works and how to activate the alternative piety mode - by Hellenikon
• Answer - Basic Character Specialization - by Meneth
• Answer - Varied Adoption - by Meneth
• Answer - Want tougher AI generals to fight? Here's how - by DrJambo - adds Command stars by trait
• Answer - Make all ancilliaries transferable - by Furin
• Resource - List of Character Attributes - supplied by CA, posted by Epistolary Richard

Names

• Tutorial - Guide to Modding Character Names - by deRougemont
• Tutorial - Unique Names (and avoiding labels) - by Withwnar
• Tool - Name Verifier - by tornnight
• Tool - Name Converter - by gigantus

Buildings and Settlements

• Tutorial - A Guide to Export_Descr_Buildings.txt - by Mythic_Commodore
• Tutorial - How to Make New Buildings - by Mythic_Commodore
• Tutorial - Mines - by EarendilElenthol
• Tutorial - A Guide To settlement_mechanics.xml - by Tsarsies
• Tutorial - The Complete Guide to Plugins - by SigniferOne
• Answer - Converting Huge Cities to Castles - by severdhope
• Answer - One Settlement Type - by Meneth

Army/Unit Recruitment

• Tutorial - Using Era System to Recruit Units - by DukeofSerbia
• Tutorial - Creating a World - Advanced recruiting with event counters - by Gigantus
• Answer - Creating ZoR (Zone of Recruitment) and Recruiting Mercenaries from Buildings - by TWoxy
• Answer - Giving Units and Buildings the Free Upkeep Ability - by Soulghast
• Answer - Legion-Names for M2TW - by Amon Amarth 930
• Answer - AOR concept: 199+ AOR with just 8 resources - by Kiliç Alì

Diplomacy

• Answer - Using toggle_demeanour to mod diplomacy - by alpaca

Religion

• Tutorial - Adding A New Religion - by uanime5
• Tutorial - How to add a religion - by geeko
• Tutorial - Nakharar's Basics : Religion - by Nakharar
• Answer - How To: Change Faction Religion and Church - by Dragon Tex

Guilds and Missions

• Tutorial - Guide to Guilds - by DarkKnight
• Tutorial - Guide to Missions - by DarkKnight

Events

Events can also be added via Scripting

• Tutorial - How To Add Historical Events - by selenius4tsd
• Tutorial - Implementing Marian Reforms in M2TW - by Aradan
• Answer - descr_events file for modified time-scale - by foolfromhell
• Answer - for people who want to use gunpowder right away - by Axe-Battler

Battle Maps

Battle Map Structures

• Tutorial - Creating a World - Stone Forts on the Battle Map - by Gigantus
• Tutorial - Forts: Everything you need to know about permanent, stone and/or buildable forts - by UraniumAtom
• Tutorial - How to add teutonic castles to all the east european factions both in strat and battle maps. - by Ishan - images missing - see .worldpkgdesc - M2TW for updated info
• Tutorial - World Collision Entry alterations - by Makanyane
• Tutorial - Battlemap Building Textures - by Makanyane needs updating for IWTE
• Resource - Permanent Stone Forts for SS6.3 Late Campaign - by Rozanov

AI

(this might be split into CAI/BAI)

• Tutorial - Understanding MTW2/Kingdoms.exe Pathfinding, XML and the AI - by z3n
• Tutorial - Basics of Battle AI and Pathfinding - by z3n
• Tutorial - AI Personalities - by z3n
• Tutorial - Invade and Defend Decisions - by z3n
• Tutorial - [1] - by CavalryCmdr on Total War Heaven
• Answer - Know how about invasions and Ai-horde-mode behavior - by Userpro
• Answer - Improved Horde Faction Behavior - by FactionHeir

Scripting

• Tutorial - Alpaca's Script-O-Rama - by Alpaca
• Tutorial - MTW2 Battle Scripting - by z3n
• Tutorial - The Long Road- Campaign Script System - by ilmrik
• Tutorial - Creating a World - Disasters and the add_events command - by Gigantus
• Tutorial - Creating a World - Building and maintaining unique Buildings - by Gigantus
• Tutorial - Tutorial for a Garrisonscript - by weissnicht
• Tutorial - The placement of units, Coded and Scripted - using various commands - by Archaon
• Tutorial - How to implement a field-cost script - by Amon Amarth 930
• Tutorial - Yes/No Event Tutorial - by Swagger
• Tutorial - How to create a complex religion change script - by Polpolgio
• Tutorial - Unique Names (and avoiding labels) - by Withwnar
• Tutorial - Complex Interactive Events - by AJStoner
• Tutorial - Creating Localised Re-Emerging Factions without using the Horde Ability - by TMK
• Tutorial - Moneybag14's Naval Invasions Tutorial - by Moneybags14
• Answer - Make a settlement a power centre for training special units - by Ishan
• Answer - Scripted unit recruitment pool replenishment - by Epistolary Richard
• Answer - Scripting based on Difficulty and AI/Player - by tornnight
• Answer - The use of destroy_units in the campaign script - by Gorrrrrn
• Answer - How to spawn family members via script - by OfficerJohn
• Answer - Creating a script to give all the names you want to a settlement - by Polpolgio
• Answer - How to call a crusade with papal state - by boboav
• Answer - Test that a faction is dead/alive including hordes - by Withwnar
• Answer - Move the campaign camera to a character with script - by Withwnar
• Answer - How to disable autoresolve for the player - by Aikanár

Sounds

• Tutorial - Extracting sounds - by Arakorn
• Tutorial - How to Extract the Sound Files - TWC Wiki Article
• Tool - SoundExtractor v1.2 - by Withwnar

Voices

• Tutorial - How to create a new accent - by Aikanár
• Tutorial - How to change the accent of a faction using vanilla accents - by IZob
• Tutorial - Unit voices and Unique voice overhauls - by Ngugi
• Answer - How to remove the "Our units are under attack!" speech - by BM309K58SMERCH

Effects

• Answer - How to Add Missing sounds in the Greek firethrower units - by Ishan
• Answer - How to add missing SFX sound for stakes in your mods - by Ishan
• Tool - Release of the EVT mod tool - by Tellos Athenaios

Music

• Tutorial - El Monstero's Definitive Guide to Modding Med 2's Music - by El Monstero29
• Tutorial - How to Add Your Own Music to M2TW - by Trajan
• Resource - Royalty Free Music - by GrnEyedDvl
• Resource - Remixed Medieval Music - by Reimu Hakurei

UI

• Tutorial - Everything you ever wanted to know about banners! - by Bwian - covers strat map banners and faction icons
• Tutorial - Adding a New Faction Symbol - by Alpaca
• Tutorial - How to make new info cards - by headsh0ts
• Tutorial - Creating and Adding New 2d Building Art with GIMP (For Beginners) - by Mank
• Tutorial - Alletun's Eyecandy Tutorial (loading screens and menu) - by Alletun - images missing
• Tutorial - Changing Faction Icon - by AliAS - images missing
• Tutorial - Vanilla faction symbols: How to make one yourself - by Glowbal - images missing
• Tutorial - Guide for editing Army Banners (strat-map) - by Tsar Stefan Dusan IV - images missing
• Answer - How to Get Rid of Faction Borders on the Mini Map - by Icefrisco

Menu and Loading Screens

• Answer - 31 factions without the Faction Select screen crashing - by uanime5 - attachments missing

Videos

• Tutorial - Creating your own Menu Background video - by Neige
• Answer - How to add own video into the game - by AliAS

Text Descriptions

For general information about all text areas, for unit descriptions see Units section, etc:

Console Commands and Config Preferences

Adjustments that can be made via in-game console commands or in players .cfg preferences instead of in modded files:

• Answer - How To: Enable year and season display - by Alpaca
• Answer - How to Disable Green Arrows and Unit Banners - TWC Wiki Article
• Answer - How to Unlock all Factions - TWC Wiki Article

Miscellaneous

• Tutorial - Creating a World - Named Forts - by Gigantus - involves placing permanent forts and using script spawned agents
• Tutorial - Cinematic Editor Tutorial - by major - video guides missing
• Tutorial - Nakharar's Basics: Resources - by Nakharar
• Tutorial - Nakharar's Basics: Rebels - by Nakharar
• Answer - Increased Movement Points(Cavalry, Infantry and/or Siege) - by spanish_emperor - see also How to fix siege units slowing down your armies - by Serious J
• Answer - Changing the Counter from Turns to Years - TWC Wiki Article
• Answer - Changing the Number of Years per Turn - TWC Wiki Article
• Answer - How to Remove the Pope - TWC Wiki Article
• Answer - How to make a movie from battle replay - by Eyeswater
• Answer - Miniscript to hide/unhide stratmap-ui whilst ingame - by Userpro
• Resource - alpaca's odds and ends - by alpaca

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