Welcome to the Beyond the Sword Game of the Month for October.

Scope of the Game:

• Civilization: Mongolia - Unique Unit: Keshik (replaces Horse Archer),
• Unique Building: Ger (replaces Stable)
• Leader: Kublai Khan
• Difficulty: Prince
• Map size: Standard
• Map Script: Custom Continents
• Starting Era: Ancient
• Speed: Normal
• Options: No city razing, city flipping after conquest, no vassal states, no goody huts, no random events
• Rivals: 6
• Victory conditions: All enabled
• World wrap Cylindrical
• Schedule: Submissions closed on November 15, 2025

Please note that the HOF mod is compulsory. See Software Versions for details.

Windows Players: If you have NOT installed Beyond the Sword version 3.13 or 3.17 then you either need to do so, or you need to replace the CvGameCoreDLL.dll files in your Civ4 and Warlords \Assets\ folders to emulate this installation. Download the replacement files here.

C-IV Botm CCXCVII: Mongolia

Play as Kublai Khan of the Mongolian Empire at Prince difficulty level. Perhaps an unusual combination of settings to make it spooky. Enjoy! Game duration October 15 to November 15

New Players

If you have not played a Civ4 GOTM before then please visit the Introduction Page to ensure you are familiar with the rules and requirements of the competition.

Software Versions

Windows players require version 3.19 of Civilization IV BtS, as well as Hof Mod version BUFFY-3.19.005, available here.

Mac players will require version 3.19 of Civilization IV BtS, plus HoF Mod version MacBUFFY-3.19.003, available here.

Entries played under any other patch, or not using the Hof Mod will not be accepted!

There is a post here detailing the game-play differences between vanilla, Warlords and BtS. Thanks go to psparky for compiling it.

All Spoilers Prohibited

Do not post any messages or questions about this game in any forum until after about October 20, 2025 when we open the first spoiler thread. Please do not discuss any aspect of this game prior to that date, and then only post in the official spoiler threads. Once you have opened the start file, you MAY NOT post in the pre-game discussion or game release threads!

As always, have fun playing the GOTM and we hope you join us in the postgame discussions!

Click on the image below to download the start save file.

PC File