Multiplayer & Co-op Options
November 21, 2025
Guide to available multiplayer modes and community mods.
One of the most requested features since the announcement of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has been a Co-op Campaign. Players dream of roaming Calradia with a friend, one ruling a kingdom while the other commands the armies.
The bad news: There is no official co-op campaign mode in the native game, and TaleWorlds has stated it is not currently in their plans due to technical complexity.
The good news: The modding community has stepped in to fill this void.
The "Campaign Co-op" Dream
The technical hurdle for a co-op campaign is time. In single-player, time speeds up when you travel and pauses when you enter a menu or battle. In a multiplayer campaign, time would need to be synchronized for everyone, which fundamentally changes the game design.
However, modders have found ways around this.
Bannerlord Online (Mod)
Bannerlord Online is currently the most robust attempt at a persistent multiplayer experience. It turns the game into an MMO-lite.
Features: You create a character and spawn in a shared world with hundreds of other players.
Economy: It features a player-driven economy where you can farm, craft, and trade items.
Combat: You can fight bandits, join player clans, and participate in massive battles.
How to Join: You need to download their custom launcher from their website or ModDB.
It is not exactly the "play the vanilla campaign with 1 friend" experience, but it is a functional multiplayer sandbox.
Bannerlord Co-op (Mod in Development)
There are other projects, such as Bannerlord Co-op, which aim to synchronize the campaign map for a smaller group of players. These are highly experimental and often in early stages of development. Always check Nexus Mods for the latest status, as these projects can be abandoned or revived frequently.
Official Team Modes
If you want to play with friends in the official game, your best bet is Captain Mode.
While it isn't a campaign, it captures the essence of cooperative command. You and up to 5 friends can form a team:
One player commands the infantry shield wall.
Another commands the archers.
A third leads the cavalry flank.
This requires the same tactical communication as a campaign battle and is highly rewarding when executed well.
Hosting Servers
For communities or large groups, you can host Custom Servers. This allows you to set up private Siege or Battle matches. This is ideal for clan events or organized roleplay battles, which often serve as a "co-op" experience in a controlled environment.
Summary
Native Game: No campaign co-op. Use Captain Mode for team tactics.
Mods: Bannerlord Online is the best playable option right now for a shared world.
Future: Keep an eye on the modding scene on Nexus Mods for breakthrough co-op campaign mods.