Mods
Mod kit guide for Birds of War — UE 5.6 no-code modding, Steam Workshop publishing, and custom birds, maps, and campaigns.
Introduction
Birds of War launched with a UE 5.6 no-code mod kit (156 KB ZIP) that lets creators ship custom birds, maps, and full campaigns to Steam Workshop without writing a single line of code. The mod kit is genuinely no-code — it uses Unreal's Blueprint visual scripting system, and HexNest provides pre-built templates for new birds, new maps, and new game modes. The 156 KB size is impressively small because the mod kit is a template, not a full UE5 install — modders download UE5 separately (free) and the kit provides the Birds of War-specific nodes. Steam Workshop integration is one-click publish, and the discovery surface is built into the main menu. HexNest is actively supporting the modding community with tutorial videos on the official YouTube channel and a dedicated #modding channel on the official Discord. The first wave of community mods is expected within weeks of the 1.1.5 patch.
Mod Categories
| Mod Type | Difficulty | Workshop Status |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Bird | Beginner | Active |
| Custom Map | Intermediate | Active |
| Custom Game Mode | Advanced | New |
| Custom Campaign | Advanced | New |
Mod Types
Custom Bird
Custom Bird mod type is the beginner entry point — fill in the ability template with values similar to Talon Dive or Wing Clap, assign a 3D model from the modder's library, and set stat values. Publish to Steam Workshop in under an afternoon of focused work for first-time modders.
Custom Map
Custom Map mod type is intermediate — UE5 map editor with pre-built egg spawn markers and updraft volumes that HexNest ships in the template. New 3v3v3 layouts take 1-2 days of focused work and add replay value to the base game's 5-map roster significantly. This build excels in the current 1.1.5 patch and rewards players who invest the time to learn its mechanics.
Custom Game Mode
Custom Game Mode mod type is advanced — new scoring, new win conditions, custom UI elements. Requires code workarounds because the no-code kit doesn't cover all game-mode logic. Takes ~1 week and creates novel multiplayer experiences beyond the base 3v3v3 format. This option fits a niche playstyle and rewards players who master the timing windows specific to this configuration.
Custom Campaign
Custom Campaign mod type is the most ambitious — full story campaign with multiple maps, NPCs, and cutscenes. The hardest mod category and requires extensive UE5 knowledge beyond the no-code kit. Takes 2+ weeks but creates unique single-player or co-op experiences. This role fills a specific gap in team compositions and is a strong counter-pick in the right matchup situations.
Core Mechanics
The mod kit uses Unreal Engine 5.6 Blueprint visual scripting — no code required, but you do need to install UE5 (free download from Epic Games) and import the Birds of War template. The template includes pre-built nodes for bird abilities, ragdoll physics, proximity voice, and Steam Workshop publishing. Modders create a new bird by filling in the ability template (similar to Talon Dive or Wing Clap), assigning a 3D model, and defining stat values. Custom maps use the same map editor as the base game's 5 maps, with pre-built egg spawn markers and updraft volumes. Steam Workshop publishing is one-click once the mod is tested locally, and HexNest reviews submissions within 48 hours for quality control.
Advantages
The 156 KB mod kit size is impressively lean — modders don't need to download a 100+ GB UE5 install, just the small template that hooks into the existing engine. No-code means artists and designers can mod without learning programming — HexNest's tutorial videos cover the full workflow in under 30 minutes. Steam Workshop integration is built into the main menu, so mod discovery is friction-free for players. HexNest actively supports the modding community with Discord channels and YouTube tutorials. The four mod types (bird, map, game mode, campaign) cover most of what the base game offers, so the creative ceiling is high. Custom birds can be published to Workshop within an afternoon of work.
Challenges
Modders still need to install UE5 separately (free but 100+ GB) — the 156 KB kit is a template, not a standalone tool. No-code means complex mods (like a new game mode with custom scoring) are difficult to implement without code workarounds. Steam Workshop review takes up to 48 hours, which slows down iteration. No official mod manager — modders have to use Steam Workshop directly, which is fine for downloading but not for organizing local mod files. The first wave of community mods is still in development as of 1.1.5, so the Workshop is sparse. No mod certification system for safety — players have to trust individual modders. The kit is UE 5.6, so future UE upgrades may require rebuilding mods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to code to mod Birds of War?+
How long does Steam Workshop review take?+
Can I mod the existing 7 birds or only add new ones?+
Will my mod work after a patch?+
Quick Tips
Install UE5 first (free from Epic Games) — the 156 KB mod kit is a template that hooks into UE5, not a standalone tool. You'll need 100+ GB of free disk space for the full UE5 install plus the mod kit assets, so plan your storage accordingly before starting the mod creation workflow.
Watch the official tutorial videos on the HexNest YouTube channel — they cover custom bird creation in under 30 minutes, including the ability template, the 3D model import, and the Steam Workshop publishing flow that lets you ship mods to the community for download. New 3v3v3 layouts take 1-2 days of focused work and add replay value to the base game's 5-map roster significantly.
Test locally before publishing to Steam Workshop — review takes 48 hours, and a broken mod can be embarrassing to leave up for the community. Use the in-game mod test mode to verify your bird, map, or game mode works on your local install before submitting for review. Use the in-game mod test mode to verify your bird, map, or game mode works on your local install before submitting for review.
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