Knowledgebase

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an action-RPG and strategy game that allows players to build armies, siege castles, and conquer lands in a medieval world. Hosting a dedicated server can enhance your multiplayer experience by providing a stable, custom environment for you and your friends. This guide will show you how to install and configure a Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord dedicated server on a VPS from AnonVM.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

• A VPS from AnonVM with at least 4 GB of RAM, 2 CPU cores, and 30 GB of disk space.
• SSH access to your VPS.
• Basic knowledge of Linux commands.
• A stable internet connection for downloading server files.

Step 1: Access Your AnonVM VPS

1. Log in to your AnonVM account and navigate to your VPS.
2. Use an SSH client (such as PuTTY) or your terminal to connect to your VPS:
    

   ssh root@your-vps-ip
   Replace your-vps-ip with your actual VPS IP address and provide your password when prompted.

Step 2: Install Dependencies

You need a few packages installed to run the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord server on your VPS.

1. Update your system:

    

   apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

2. Install necessary packages:

    

   apt-get install wget curl screen lib32gcc1 unzip -y

These packages will allow the game server to run smoothly on your VPS.

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is used for downloading and updating the dedicated server files for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

1. Create a directory for SteamCMD:

    

   mkdir -p /home/steam cd /home/steam

2. Download and extract SteamCMD:

    

   wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

3. Run SteamCMD to verify installation:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh

   After the SteamCMD prompt appears, type quit to exit.

Step 4: Download the Bannerlord Server Files

Now that SteamCMD is installed, use it to download the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord server files.

1. Login to SteamCMD:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh login anonymous

2. Set the installation directory:

    

   force_install_dir ./bannerlord_server

3. Download the server files:

    

   app_update 261550 validate

   This command will download the necessary server files for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It may take some time depending on your internet speed.

Step 5: Configure the Server

After downloading the server files, you need to configure your server to your preferences.

1. Navigate to the server directory:

    

   cd /home/steam/bannerlord_server

2. Edit the configuration file:

   • The server configuration is done through the server_config.xml file located in the server directory. Open this file to configure settings such as server name, game mode, player limits, and more.

   Use a text editor (e.g., nano) to edit the file:

    

   nano server_config.xml

   Example configuration options you can change:

   • Server Name: Set your server name to appear in the server browser.
   • Max Players: Set the maximum number of players allowed on your server.
   • Game Mode: Choose between different modes such as PvP or PvE.

3. Save and exit the configuration: After making changes, save the file and exit the editor (CTRL + X, then Y to confirm).

Step 6: Open Required Ports

To allow players to connect to your server, you must open the necessary ports.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord requires the following ports to be open:

• TCP/UDP 27015: Game server port
• TCP/UDP 27016: Query port (for server browser)
• TCP 27005: For client communication

1. Open the necessary ports:

    

   ufw allow 27015/tcp ufw allow 27016/tcp ufw allow 27005/tcp ufw reload

   If you use a different firewall tool, make sure the above ports are open.

Step 7: Start the Server

Now that everything is set up, you can start your server.

1. Run the server in a screen session: Running the server in a screen session allows it to run in the background even after disconnecting from the VPS.

   • Create a new screen session:

      

     screen -S bannerlord_server

   • Start the server:

      

     ./bin/Server/Server

2. Detach from the screen session: To detach from the screen session and leave the server running in the background, press CTRL + A, then D. To reattach later, use the command:

    

   screen -r bannerlord_server

3. Monitor the server logs: You can check the server logs to monitor the server’s status or troubleshoot any issues by checking the log file:

    

   tail -f server_log.txt

Step 8: Connect to Your Server

Once your server is running, you can join it using Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

1. Launch the game on your local machine.
2. Go to Multiplayer, then Join Game.
3. In the server browser, search for your server by name, or manually enter your server's IP address and port.

If you set a password, you will be prompted to enter it.

Step 9: Updating the Server

To keep your server up to date with the latest patches and improvements:

1. Run SteamCMD to check for updates:

    

   ./steamcmd.sh login anonymous force_install_dir ./bannerlord_server app_update 261550 validate

   This will check for updates and download any new files for the server.

Conclusion

You now have a dedicated Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord server running on your AnonVM VPS. With this setup, you can enjoy a stable, customizable multiplayer experience. Be sure to regularly update your server, adjust configurations to fit your preferences, and manage your players for the best experience. Happy gaming!