Let's get modding: weapons!

A beginners guide for modding weapons in Kenshi

Modding tools

When you install Kenshi, you automatically install the modding tools. You can find them in: Steam application file > SteamApps > common > Kenshi. The file is named ''Forgotten construction set''.
double click on this and the program should launch.

First time opening

Since this is your first time opening the modding tools, there are no modding projects. Before you can make your own modifications, you should make a new project. You can do this by clicking ''new'' (The first button in the command list, next to load and save.). A new window will pop up. Name your modding project, and click on save. Next, you should click on load (the button next to new and save). click on Gamedata.base and your own mod. If you did everything correctly, the database of your mod project is now filled with the default data.

Creating a new file

Since we are going to make our own weapons, click on ''items'' > ''weapon (mesh)''. As you can see, on the right side of the window there's a list with different kinds of weapons. (For this tutorial I'm going to use the katana, but it basically works for all the other weapons as well.) Right click on katana, and click on Duplicate item. There should be a new weapon in the list, named ''katana-copy'' now. Double click on it, and a new window pops up.

Modding!

Now we're all set for the actual modding! In the window that just popped up, you can change all the properties of the sword. (Name, icon, appearance etc.) Since there's so much to do, I'll only explain the basic stuff.

Base
The only thing you should change here, is the name. You can change the name of your sword by clicking on the name box. It should say katana-copy right now, but if you click on it you can change it to what ever you want, this is the name that appears in game. Be creative!

damage
Here, you can change the damage the sword does. Since we're modding a katana, blunt damage multiplier is 0, and should stay so. You can change cut damage multiplier to anything between 0 and 1,5. 0 being nothing, and 1,5 being strong. Min cut damage multiplier is for the minimum damage a sword does. Pierce damage multiplier should stay 0 too, since a katana doesn't use this.

files
Here, you can change the appearance of the sword and stuff. All the files needed are located in ''Kenshi'' > ''data'' > ''items'' > ''weapons''.
Bare sword is the actual appearance of the sword in game. You can change it by going to the mesh folder, and selecting a different ''_bare'' folder.
Icon, is the icon a weapon has in your inventory. You can change it by selecting a different picture from the icons folder.
Mesh, is how the weapon looks when sheathed. (This should line up with sheath.) You can select a different mesh, from the mesh folder.
physics file, is how the weapon looks when dropped on the ground. You can change it by selecting a different file from the ''phs'' folder.
sheath, is how the sheath of the weapon looks, when the weapon isn't in it. When your character is fighting for example. (This should line up with mesh, because the game might get funky otherwise.) you can change your sheath by selecting a different one from the mesh folder. it should have a ''_sheath'' at the end of the name.

Inventory, Inventory icon, Overig, scale and type
In Inventory, the only two things you can change is the value and weight of the sword. you can increase or decrease the value (or weight) by typing in a new number at value (or weight kg).
You shouldn't change anything at Inventory icon. I'm not sure what it does, so I wouldn't mess around with it.
In Overig, you can change the description of the weapon, by typing in a new description. Also, you can change the weapon reach by typing in a new number at reach. You could make this a huge amount, so it can kill enemies all over the map.
In Scale, you shouldn't change anything, again because I'm not sure what it does.
In type, you can change if the item is able to block. you should keep this on true, becuase your character will die pretty quick otherwise, also you can change the skill your weapon trains. Its on SKILL_KATANAS by default. As you might understand, it uses, and trains the katana skill at the moment. you can change it too another weapon, if you like.

And when you're done modding..

After you're done making your new weapon mod, click on save. After you've saved it, go to the Kenshi folder, and click on the data folder. Next, open the mods.CFG file with notepad. now type in your mod name.mod. (So If saved your mod as ''My mod'' for example, you should type in ''My Mod.mod.) type in the exact name of your mod, otherwise your mod won't load into Kenshi.


Thanks for reading my tutorial, I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for the bad English, it's because I'm Dutch. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them!

[Manu]

Hello. There is nothing mentioned about the materials to build the new created weapon. There is a section within the weapon propperties called Material Cost. I edited an existing weapon and changed to 1, ingame it still requires 1 cloth and 5 iron plates. Any help here?

[Fig]

How do I actually spawn the new weapon in game. I know that shift f-12 brings up the dev tools and I can see my mod is in, but how do I actually give it to a character?

[phlatphreeky]

So this was very helpful. . . Have you figured out how to edit the ingredients for weapons? I wanted to add a new type of weapon using a different material that I added to the game. . . But I can only set the ingredients on the work bench, which means that all the weapons will change to that material, and they could just build the other bench and make all of them with iron. . . Any thoughts?

[Atanarix]

Very helpful introduction into the editor.
I was rooting around for a way to make Edge III type weapons (I mean, come on - even the stats say I can make Edge III when I hove over them, but I'm stuck with Edge II ON A CRITICAL SUCCESS) and taught myself how to edit the blueprints in the process using the same principle as weapons. If my hunch is correct, I may be able to craft Meitou with a critical success now as well.
Gonna try it out and see how that goes.

[Uthred]

https://i.gyazo.com/c33d178686066bf6f4183a1e46c64da5.png
Need help not sure what to do, I;ve put the mesh in the right place.

[Loki]

If I wanted to change what a weapon looks like I change the .bare file correct? If that's the case what program do I use to edit it? I have unity and blender .please help.

[ossied]

would love to be able to do this for inventory size as 100 items is just not good gameplay, i have to build 100 wheatgrass barrels just to store enough wheat grtass to keep my cook going . i cant figure out what to do to increase volume back to original specs as wasting resources on hundreds of storage bins is just plain ridiculous

[Salvo Fiasco]

But how do I put the sword in my inventory :(

[BlockBuster-69]

How do you load up the mod when entering the game?

[Flubba]

A simple to use, easy to understand modding walkthrough. I myself was going to create a thing because of the requests I was recieving, but you have already created a guide that substantially covers modding (weapons and such). The only addition I can think of is adding links to Kenshi forums about this topic, modding tools/additions people have created, and even some example mod files that peopl have already made. Otherwise, nice work, the Kenshi community needs many people like you to bring the game to greatness!