Mount & Blade: Warband gameplay

Host a Mount & Blade: Warband Dedicated Server

Mount & Blade: Warband is a medieval action RPG featuring intense combat and large-scale battles. Host multiplayer servers with modules like Native, Napoleonic Wars, and community mods. Supports up to 200 players depending on module and hardware.

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a Mount & Blade: Warband dedicated server.

Economy

Small server, 1-16 players

CPU1 core
RAM1 GB
Storage5 GB

Standard

Medium server, 16-64 players

CPU2 cores
RAM2 GB
Storage5 GB

Pro

Large server, 64-200 players

CPU3 cores
RAM3 GB
Storage5 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Mount & Blade: Warband server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Mount & Blade: Warband configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.

Get Started FreeNo credit card required

Setup in 4 Steps

Skip the manual installation, port forwarding, and configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.

The Manual Way vs. GameCP

Manual Setup

  • Configure 2+ firewall ports and router settings
  • Write systemd service files
  • SSH into server to edit configs
  • Requires a VPS or dedicated server
  • 30-60 minutes if experienced

With GameCP

  • Automatic port forwarding — no router config
  • Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
  • Docker container with auto-restart
  • Visual config editor in browser
  • Under 5 minutes total

Under the Hood

The full manual process to host a Mount & Blade: Warband dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.

Step 1

Configure & Prepare

Set your server settings, then install Docker, and pull the Mount & Blade: Warband container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands
terminal
# Update system and install Docker
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Create game server directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver

# Server configuration
export SERVER_NAME="GameCP Warband Server"
export MAX_PLAYERS="32"
export MODULE="Native"
export WELCOME_MESSAGE="Welcome to the server!"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/gamecp/runtimes:wine-base
Step 2

Run the Installation Script

Mount & Blade: Warband uses a custom install script to download and configure the server files.

Installation Script
#!/bin/bash
apt update
apt install -y wget dos2unix curl
cd /opt/gameserver/

MODULE=${MODULE:-Native}

echo "======================================="
echo "Installing M&B Warband Dedicated Server"
echo "Module: $MODULE"
echo "======================================="

# Download dedicated server files
# The Warband dedicated server is distributed as a standalone download
if [ ! -f /opt/gameserver/mb_warband_dedicated.exe ]; then
    echo "Downloading Warband dedicated server files..."
    wget -q "https://files.rowe.sh/pterodactyl/mb-warband/mb-warband-links.sh" -O mb-warband-links.sh
    chmod +x mb-warband-links.sh

    MODULE_BASE_LINK=$(./mb-warband-links.sh link "$MODULE" base)
    MODULE_LINK=$(./mb-warband-links.sh link "$MODULE" mod)

    if [ -z "$MODULE_LINK" ]; then
        echo "ERROR: Module '$MODULE' was mistyped or is not currently supported."
        echo "Available modules:"
        ./mb-warband-links.sh modules
        rm -f mb-warband-links.sh
        exit 1
    fi

    # Install base server files if needed
    if [ -n "$MODULE_BASE_LINK" ]; then
        echo "Downloading base server files..."
        wget -qO- $MODULE_BASE_LINK | tar xvz --strip-components=1
    fi

    # Install module files
    echo "Downloading module files for $MODULE..."
    wget -qO- $MODULE_LINK | tar xvz --strip-components=1

    rm -f mb-warband-links.sh
    echo "Server files downloaded successfully."
else
    echo "Server files already exist, skipping download."
fi

# Create default config if it doesn't exist
if [ ! -f /opt/gameserver/Config.txt ]; then
    # Check for sample config first
    if [ -f /opt/gameserver/${MODULE}_Sample_Config.txt ]; then
        cp -f /opt/gameserver/${MODULE}_Sample_Config.txt /opt/gameserver/Config.txt
        echo "Copied sample config for module: $MODULE"
    else
        cat > /opt/gameserver/Config.txt << 'CONFIG_EOF'
set_pass
set_pass_admin admin
set_server_name GameCP Warband Server
set_welcome_message Welcome to the server!
set_max_players 32 32
set_port 7240
set_map random_small
set_combat_speed 2
set_friendly_fire 1
set_control_block_dir 0
set_melee_combat_difficulty 0
set_add_to_game_servers_list 1
set_max_teamkills_before_kick 0
set_auto_team_balance_limit 8
set_team_point_limit 300
set_round_max_seconds 600
set_force_default_armor 0
CONFIG_EOF
        echo "Created default server config."
    fi
    dos2unix /opt/gameserver/Config.txt 2>/dev/null
fi

echo "======================================="
echo "Installation completed successfully."
echo "======================================="
Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Mount & Blade: Warband requires 2 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal
sudo ufw allow 7240/udp
sudo ufw allow 7241/udp
7240/UDP(PORT)7241/UDP
Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Mount & Blade: Warband server using the configuration from Step 1.

Create the startup script

terminal
# Create the startup script
cat > /opt/gameserver/start.sh << 'EOF'
# Wine prefix, Mono are pre-baked in the Docker image at /opt/wine-prefix
# Copy pre-baked prefix on first boot (fast local copy vs 10min download)
if [ ! -f /home/container/.wine/system.reg ]; then
echo 'Restoring pre-baked Wine prefix...'
cp -a /opt/wine-prefix /home/container/.wine
[ -d /opt/wine-cache ] && cp -a /opt/wine-cache /home/container/.cache
echo 'Wine prefix restored.'
fi

# Fix Wine HOME ownership issue
export HOME=/tmp/wine-home
mkdir -p /tmp/wine-home
export WINEPREFIX=/home/container/.wine

# Start persistent Xvfb (NOT xvfb-run -- Wine forks and xvfb-run kills display)
rm -f /tmp/.X*-lock 2>/dev/null
mkdir -p /tmp/.X11-unix 2>/dev/null || true
Xvfb :99 -screen 0 640x480x24 -ac 2>&1 &
XVFB_PID=$!
sleep 1
export DISPLAY=:99

echo 'Starting Mount & Blade: Warband server...'
rm -f ./rgl_log.txt
wine /home/container/mb_warband_dedicated.exe -r Config.txt -m Native 2>&1 &
WINE_PID=$!

# Wait for Warband to create its log file, then tail it
(s=0; while true; do sleep 3; s=); echo " Waiting for server... (s)"; done) &
HEARTBEAT=$!
for i in ; do
if [ -f ./rgl_log.txt ]; then
echo "Log file detected after s"
break
fi
sleep 1
done
kill 2>/dev/null; wait 2>/dev/null

if [ -f ./rgl_log.txt ]; then
tail -F ./rgl_log.txt &
TAIL_PID=$!
else
echo 'WARNING: rgl_log.txt was not created after 60s'
echo 'Wine processes:'
ps aux | grep -i wine || true
TAIL_PID=""
fi

wait
WINE_EXIT=$?
[ -n "" ] && kill 2>/dev/null
kill 2>/dev/null
echo "Server exited with code: "
EOF
chmod +x /opt/gameserver/start.sh

Run the container

terminal
docker run -d \
  --name mount-blade-warband-server \
  -p 7240:7240/udp \
  -p 7241:7241/udp \
  -e SERVER_NAME="GameCP Warband Server" \
  -e MAX_PLAYERS="32" \
  -e MODULE="Native" \
  -e WELCOME_MESSAGE="Welcome to the server!" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/gamecp/runtimes:wine-base \
  ./start.sh

Or skip all of this

GameCP automates every step above: Docker, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a Mount & Blade: Warband server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP

Ready to Host Your Mount & Blade: Warband Server?

Install GameCP on your own computer and start hosting in minutes. Automatic port forwarding, zero config — your friends connect instantly.

No credit card required · Free tier available · Install local, scale later

Deploy Free
How to Host a Mount & Blade: Warband Dedicated Server | GameCP