Bannerlord Multiplayer Game Modes
All six Bannerlord multiplayer game modes, their GameType config values, descriptions, and hardware requirements.
Available Game Modes
Bannerlord supports six multiplayer game modes. The active mode is set via the GameType parameter in your config file or changed via the server console.
| Mode | GameType Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Team Deathmatch | TeamDeathmatch |
Classic PvP elimination with instant respawn |
| Captain | Captain |
Each player leads a detachment of AI troops |
| Siege | Siege |
Attackers storm a fortified castle; defenders hold |
| Skirmish | Skirmish |
Small-team tactical combat with limited lives |
| Duel | Duel |
1v1 skill-based combat |
| Battle | Battle |
Large-scale open PvP combat |
Mode Details
Team Deathmatch
Standard elimination mode. Players respawn immediately on death. Good for new players and casual servers. Requires minimal server resources.
Captain
Each player commands a small detachment of AI troops in addition to their own character. Combines personal combat with light tactical decision-making. CPU-intensive due to AI pathfinding.
Siege
Attackers must breach defenses and capture objectives; defenders hold positions. Highest CPU cost due to large player counts and AI NPCs for siege engines. Recommended minimum: 8 GB RAM, 4 CPU cores.
Skirmish
Two teams of six players each. Limited respawns — once a player is eliminated they cannot return until the round ends. High-skill competitive format.
Duel
Players queue for 1v1 fights in a structured arena. Low server resource usage. Ideal for practice and competitive communities.
Battle
Large-scale PvP with no respawns. Full battle plays out until one side is eliminated. Resource requirements scale with player count.
Hardware Requirements by Mode
| Mode | Min RAM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duel / Skirmish | 4 GB | Light AI load |
| Team Deathmatch / Battle | 4–6 GB | Scales with player count |
| Captain | 6–8 GB | Heavy AI pathfinding per player |
| Siege | 8 GB | Largest maps, most concurrent AI |
Setting the Game Mode
In your config file:
GameType Siege
Or change it live in the server console:
GameType TeamDeathmatch
After changing the game mode via console, you must also change the active map to one compatible with the new mode, then run start_game_and_mission to apply both changes.
Map Compatibility
Each game mode uses its own set of maps. Using a map intended for a different mode will crash clients when they attempt to load. Always pair the correct map prefix with the correct GameType. See the map list article for the full breakdown by mode.