If there’s one thing Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord players can agree on, it’s that you can never have too many weapons. Or too much armour. Or, for that matter, too many ways to stab, slice, and look good doing it. The base game gives us a solid medieval sandbox, but modders have taken it to the next level, adding ornate knightly plate, grim Viking helms, fantasy blades, and even Roman legions if you’re feeling nostalgic.
Here’s a breakdown of the best mods for new armour and weapons in Bannerlord, carefully tested, admired, and occasionally worn into battle before promptly being taken down by a looter with a stick.
1. Realistic Armory
Why it’s great:
This mod is a dream for anyone who prefers their medieval gear to look like it actually came from a museum rather than a cosplay convention. Realistic Armory introduces dozens of historically accurate armours and weapons inspired by 12th to 15th-century Europe. Think riveted mail, correctly shaped great helms, and swords that obey physics instead of fantasy.
Standout features:
- Faithful reconstructions of plate and mail sets
- Balanced stats for immersion
- Perfect for realism or roleplay campaigns
Personal take:
It feels like the modder raided the Tower of London and politely uploaded the loot to Nexus Mods.
2. Calradia Expanded: Armoury
Why it’s great:
If you love Calradia Expanded Kingdoms, this add-on is essential. It matches each culture’s identity with expanded armour sets, Nords get chunkier furs, Khuzaits get sleeker lamellar, and Vlandians could probably start their own jousting tournament.
Standout features:
- Cultural reworks for immersion
- New helmets, cloaks, and boots
- Works seamlessly with existing campaign saves
Personal take:
You know that moment when your troops all match in colour and theme? It’s pure serotonin.
3. The Old Realms
Why it’s great:
A total conversion mod inspired by Warhammer Fantasy. Expect demonic swords, cursed armour, and soldiers who look like they’ve crawled straight out of a black-metal album cover. This mod isn’t about balance, it’s about absolute chaos.
Standout features:
- Massive new weapon pool (warhammers, zweihanders, daemon blades)
- Custom armours with high-fantasy detail
- Compatible with ongoing development patches
Personal take:
If you’ve ever wanted to duel a Chaos Knight in a fog-covered battlefield, this is your moment.
4. Immersive Armours of Calradia
Why it’s great:
A subtle mod that adds new armour pieces without breaking the game’s native aesthetic. It’s like a quality-of-life update for your wardrobe, more visual variety without turning your character into a fashion disaster.
Standout features:
- New helmets, tunics, and cloaks
- Balanced to blend with native Bannerlord look
- Lightweight and compatible with most mods
Personal take:
It’s the kind of mod you forget you installed, until you notice your troops suddenly look like seasoned mercenaries instead of farmers with a death wish.
5. Zweihander Weapons Pack
Why it’s great:
Nothing says “confidence” like a sword taller than you are. The Zweihander Weapons Pack adds massive two-handers with elegant designs and satisfying heft. They hit hard, look incredible, and feel downright cinematic when charging into a shield wall.
Standout features:
- High-detail 3D models and textures
- Several sword variants, from flamberge to claymore styles
- Ideal for heavy infantry or hero loadouts
Personal take:
Half the time I forget to fight because I’m too busy admiring the sword animations.
6. Open Source Armory (OSA)
Why it’s great:
An ongoing community project that continually adds new weapon and armour assets for modders and players alike. It’s the backbone of many other mods and an excellent standalone addition if you just want a fresh batch of steel to choose from.
Standout features:
- Constantly updated
- Large library of historically inspired items
- Modular and compatible with most overhaul mods
Personal take:
Installing this feels like downloading a medieval IKEA catalogue, everything fits together beautifully.
7. Realistic Battle Mod: Armour and Weapons Module
Why it’s great:
Not only does it tweak combat mechanics, it also adjusts armour effectiveness and weapon performance for realism. Combine this with a visual mod and you’ll suddenly feel the weight of every swing and the importance of every helmet you forgot to wear.
Standout features:
- Accurate penetration and damage scaling
- Armour stats finally make sense
- Works alongside popular visual mods
Personal take:
Once you try it, you’ll never go back to vanilla combat. Just prepare to actually fear arrows again.
Armour and Weapon Mods Ranked by Quality, Compatibility, and Performance
| Mod Name | Visual Quality | Compatibility | Performance Impact | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic Armory | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Historical immersion and realism |
| Calradia Expanded: Armoury | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Expanding faction identity |
| The Old Realms | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Fantasy chaos and total conversion fans |
| Immersive Armours of Calradia | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Subtle visual variety |
| Zweihander Weapons Pack | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Hero builds and cinematic combat |
| Open Source Armory (OSA) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Custom loadouts and mod integration |
| Realistic Battle Mod (Armour & Weapons) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Balanced gameplay and realism lovers |
Verdict
If you want the most realistic medieval look, go for Realistic Armory.
If you want to stay true to Bannerlord’s lore, pick Calradia Expanded: Armoury.
If you’re craving pure fantasy chaos, dive headfirst into The Old Realms.
And if you just want everything to look right without breaking your save, Immersive Armours of Calradia is your best bet.
For maximum variety, combine Open Source Armory with Realistic Battle Mod. The result? Bannerlord as it should have launched, dangerous, beautiful, and weirdly stylish for a medieval war simulator.
