Version 1.168 is not sold standalone. You must purchase the base game, then select the 1.168 beta branch.

This paper examines the significance of version 1.168 within the lifecycle of TaleWorlds Entertainment’s Mount & Blade: Warband . As the final official patch released before the transition to a new engine architecture in preparation for the sequel, version 1.168 represents the definitive "Legacy" state of the title. This document outlines the technical necessity of this specific version for mod compatibility, the risks associated with downloading depreciated executables, and a procedural guide for legitimate acquisition and installation.

While primarily for mods, ModDB's Warband section often hosts essential version-specific files and engine fixes. System Requirements for 1.168

Many legendary total conversion mods, such as The Deluge and early versions of A Clash of Kings, were optimized specifically for this build.