Whether you want to experience medieval warfare with NPC armies, catapults, and trebuchets in a 1.12.2 world, command your own villager army in 1.16.5–1.20.1, or jump into the latest versions (1.20.1/1.21.1) with tanks and helicopters for an all-out military experience — this guide covers it all. Get ready to turn Minecraft into a true battlefield!
This site introduces installation methods using the “CurseForge App“.
“Gun Mods“
“Weapon Mods“
“Guerrilla Mods“
War mods add authentic military equipment and battlefield systems to the game. Combine them with gun mods, weapon mods, and guerrilla mods to transform Minecraft into a deeply immersive military action experience.
Minecraft War Mods: Full List
Here’s a list of every war mod you can install in Minecraft.
Click on the mod you’re interested in to jump straight to the installation guide.
| Mod | Features | Compatible Versions |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Ancient Warfare 2 | · Medieval war mod featuring NPC armies, catapults, and trebuchets · Over 2,000 structures and 45 tribes/nations spawn throughout the world | 1.7.10 / 1.12.2 |
| 2: Villager Recruits | · Hire and command your own army of villagers · Full siege weaponry and diplomacy systems for an authentic war experience | 1.16.5–1.20.1 |
| 3: Superb Warfare (SBW) | · Adds guns, cannons, tanks, and helicopters all at once · A cutting-edge battlefield experience mod for the latest versions | 1.20.1–1.21.1 |
Minecraft War Mod: Ancient Warfare 2
Here’s everything you need to know about Ancient Warfare 2, the war mod that brings large-scale medieval NPC armies, siege weapons, and city-building to Minecraft.
Forty-five unique tribes and nations populate your world with over 2,000 hand-crafted structures, complete with warrior, archer, priest, and merchant NPCs.
You recruit and command your own troops, then deploy siege engines — catapults, ballistae, trebuchets — to storm enemy strongholds. No guns, no modern weapons: just pure medieval warfare. It’s one of the most beloved war mods on CurseForge, with over 6.7 million downloads.
How to Install Ancient Warfare 2
Here’s how to install Ancient Warfare 2 in 3 simple steps.
Go to the Ancient Warfare 2 page and select your version
Head to the Ancient Warfare 2 page on CurseForge and choose your version.
※ This mod supports 1.7.10 and 1.12.2. Version 1.12.2 is the most stable option.
Install Ancient Warfare 2
Click “Install,” then click “New Profile” in the bottom-left corner.
Enter a profile name and click “Create.”
Installation is complete!
※ The required library “CodeChicken Lib” will be installed automatically when using the CurseForge App.
Verify Ancient Warfare 2 is working
Click “Play” to launch the game.
Load into a world and check that tribal and national structures are generating, and that you can hire NPC soldiers and build siege weapons like catapults. If everything’s working, you’re all set!
Ancient Warfare 2: Features & Items
Here’s what Ancient Warfare 2 adds to your game:
- 45 Tribes and Nations: Factions like the Empire, Norsca, and Zamurai each build their own unique settlements — over 2,000 structures in total — and populate them with warriors, archers, priests, and merchants. Just exploring the world puts you right in the middle of a living, breathing medieval world.
- Recruit and Command NPC Soldiers: Hire infantry, archers, cavalry, healers, and siege troops, kit them out, and lead them into battle. It’s a genuinely RTS-style experience — build your army, issue orders, and conquer enemy strongholds.
- Catapults, Trebuchets & More Siege Weapons: The mod adds a full arsenal of medieval siege engines: catapults, ballistae, small and large trebuchets, and powder cannons. Both players and NPCs can operate them, so laying siege to a fortress feels completely authentic.
Here’s a look at some of the items available:
This mod is perfect if you want a pure medieval warfare experience — no guns, just swords, siege engines, and strategy. It’s especially great for anyone who loves RTS-style gameplay.
For a great walkthrough, check out this video by Critters Mod Menagerie:
If it looks like your kind of mod, give Ancient Warfare 2 a try!
Minecraft War Mod: Villager Recruits
Next up is Villager Recruits, the war mod that lets you hire villagers with emeralds, organize them into a custom army, and lead them into battle.
Recruit swordsmen, archers, shield-bearers, and more — each with their own combat specialty — then manage sieges and handle diplomacy between rival factions. It’s a surprisingly deep war experience, and with over 2.2 million CurseForge downloads and support for 1.16.5 through 1.20.1, it’s one of the best war mods available.
How to Install Villager Recruits
Here’s how to install Villager Recruits in 3 simple steps.
Go to the Villager Recruits page and select your version
Head to the Villager Recruits page on CurseForge and choose your version.
※ This mod supports Minecraft 1.16.5–1.20.1 (Forge).
Install Villager Recruits
Click “Install,” then click “New Profile” in the bottom-left corner.
Enter a profile name and click “Create.”
Installation is complete!
※ All required dependencies will be installed automatically.
Verify Villager Recruits is working
Click “Play” to launch the game.
Load into Creative mode and check that soldier spawn eggs are available in your inventory. If they’re there, the mod is installed and working!
Villager Recruits: Features & Items
Here’s what you can do with Villager Recruits:
- Build and Command Your Own Villager Army: Spend emeralds to hire villagers of various unit types. Swordsmen, archers, and shield-bearers each fight differently, and you can issue individual orders — move, attack, defend — through a dedicated GUI for each unit.
- Siege Weapons and Diplomacy: Construct catapults and other siege equipment to assault fortifications, and manage faction diplomacy — form alliances or declare war — with a robust system that turns Minecraft into something closer to a strategy game.
- Smart AI and Shield Mechanics: Your recruited villagers use food and healing potions intelligently, and automatically block incoming attacks when equipped with shields. You get a genuinely tactical battlefield experience that still feels right at home in vanilla Minecraft’s aesthetic.
If you want a strategic, immersive war experience without guns or modern tech — and you want it to feel like it belongs in vanilla Minecraft — Villager Recruits is the mod for you.
For a detailed tutorial, check out this video by Edlux Tutorials:
Ready to raise your army? Download Villager Recruits below!
Minecraft War Mod: Superb Warfare (SBW)
Now let’s look at Superb Warfare (SBW) — the all-in-one war mod that adds guns, cannons, tanks, and helicopters in a single package.
From infantry skirmishes to armored vehicle assaults and aerial combat, Superb Warfare turns your entire Minecraft world into a warzone.
With a weapon leveling system, built-in team deathmatch support, and compatibility with 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, this is the next generation of Minecraft war mods.
How to Install Superb Warfare
Here’s how to install Superb Warfare in 3 simple steps.
Go to the Superb Warfare page and select your version
Head to the Superb Warfare page on CurseForge and choose your version.
※ 1.20.1 requires Forge; 1.21.1 requires NeoForge. Make sure to select the right mod loader for your version.
Install Superb Warfare
Click “Install,” then click “New Profile” in the bottom-left corner.
Enter a profile name and click “Create.”
Installation is complete!
※ All required dependencies will be installed automatically.
Verify Superb Warfare is working
Click “Play” to launch the game.
Load into a world and check your inventory for guns, grenades, tanks, and other military items. If you can hop into a vehicle and drive it, you’re good to go!
Superb Warfare: Features & Items
Here’s what Superb Warfare brings to the table:
- A Complete Modern Combat Experience: From standard firearms to rocket launchers and heavy artillery, plus combat vehicles like tanks, helicopters, and armored cars — this mod has everything. It’s the most comprehensive military experience you can get in Minecraft.
- Weapon Leveling System: Every weapon levels up as you use it, earning upgrade points you can spend to make it stronger. The more you play with a weapon, the more powerful and personalized it becomes — a great RPG-style mechanic that keeps things fresh.
- Built-In Team Deathmatch (TDM) for Multiplayer: The mod comes with a full team deathmatch system built in. Split into two teams with friends and compete for points — it’s easy to set up with server commands and makes multiplayer sessions incredibly fun.
Here’s a look at the weapons and vehicles available in Superb Warfare:
The ultimate battlefield experience — go head-to-head with friends in tanks and helicopters.
If you want tanks, helicopters, and guns in Minecraft, Superb Warfare is the mod to install.
Minecraft War Mods: Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Minecraft War Experience Today!
That wraps up our guide to the best war mods for Minecraft Java Edition!
- For NPC armies, trebuchets, and medieval siege warfare on 1.12.2 with over 6.7M downloads — go with Ancient Warfare 2!
- To command villager armies and enjoy strategic warfare on 1.16.5–1.20.1 — go with Villager Recruits!
- For tanks, helicopters, and team deathmatch on 1.20.1–1.21.1 — go with Superb Warfare (SBW)!
War mods take Minecraft far beyond vanilla sword-and-bow combat. Whether you’re storming a medieval fortress with a catapult, outmaneuvering rivals with your villager army, or going toe-to-toe in tanks with a friend, the gameplay possibilities are enormous.
Find the mod that fits your version and playstyle, and enjoy the battlefield!
※ All version compatibility information, installation steps, and download figures in this article are accurate as of March 2026. Prerequisites like Forge and NeoForge may be updated from time to time, so always check the latest information on each mod’s distribution page when installing.
