Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an epic medieval sandbox that combines strategy, role-playing, and intense combat. Whether you're new to the series or returning from Warband, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complex world of Calradia and build your own medieval empire.
Understanding the Basics
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord drops you into a vast open world where you can pursue multiple paths to power. Unlike linear RPGs, Bannerlord offers complete freedom in how you approach the game. You can become a merchant, a mercenary, a lord, or even forge your own kingdom. Understanding this freedom is crucial to enjoying the game.
The game features several interconnected systems that new players must master: combat, economics, diplomacy, and kingdom management. Each system influences the others, creating a dynamic gameplay experience where your choices have far-reaching consequences. This guide will walk you through each system, providing practical tips to help you succeed.
Character Creation and Early Game Strategy
Your journey begins with character creation, where the choices you make significantly impact your early game experience. The background options aren't just for flavor – they provide crucial attribute points and skill bonuses that shape your playstyle. For beginners, we recommend choosing backgrounds that boost your combat skills and provide decent starting equipment.
The ideal beginner build focuses on versatility. Allocate attribute points to Vigor for health, Control for better weapon handling, and Social for improved relations. These attributes provide a balanced foundation that allows you to explore different playstyles as you learn the game mechanics. Remember, you can always specialize later as you gain more attribute points through leveling.
During your first hours, focus on completing the initial tutorial quests. These quests introduce core mechanics while providing essential resources and companions. Don't rush through them – take time to understand each system they introduce. The tutorial culminates in assembling the Dragon Banner, a questline that serves as the game's main narrative thread.
Combat Mastery: From Recruit to Warrior
Combat in Bannerlord rewards skill and timing over button mashing. The directional combat system requires you to match your attack and block directions with your opponent's movements. Start by practicing in the arena – it's risk-free and provides small monetary rewards. Focus on learning attack patterns and perfecting your timing before venturing into real battles.
Weapon choice significantly impacts your combat effectiveness. For beginners, we recommend starting with a one-handed sword and shield combination. This setup offers excellent defense while you learn enemy attack patterns. As you gain confidence, experiment with two-handed weapons for increased damage or polearms for mounted combat superiority.
Mounted combat is Bannerlord's signature feature and mastering it is essential for success. Start with a courser or sumpter horse – they're affordable and forgiving for beginners. Practice riding in circles around infantry while attacking with a sword or lance. Speed bonuses from charging multiply your damage, making cavalry charges devastating when executed properly.
Building Your Warband
A strong warband is essential for survival in Calradia. Start by recruiting troops from villages – each culture offers unique unit types with different strengths. Imperial troops excel at combined arms, Sturgian infantry dominates in melee, while Khuzait horse archers provide unmatched mobility. Mix troop types to create a versatile force capable of handling any situation.
Troop management extends beyond recruitment. Keep morale high by winning battles, paying wages on time, and maintaining a varied food supply. Low morale leads to desertion, potentially crippling your warband at critical moments. Upgrade your troops regularly – even basic tier 2 units significantly outperform recruits in combat effectiveness.
Companions are special units that provide unique benefits to your warband. Unlike regular troops, companions can be equipped with custom gear and assigned to lead formations or govern settlements. Recruit companions whose skills complement your weaknesses – a good engineer improves siege warfare, while a skilled medic reduces casualties after battles.
Economic Strategies for Sustainable Growth
Financial stability enables everything else in Bannerlord. Early game income comes primarily from completing quests, winning tournaments, and selling battle loot. Prioritize quests that improve your reputation with notable figures – these relationships unlock better opportunities and trading privileges later.
Trading represents the most reliable path to wealth. Study trade rumors in taverns to identify profitable routes. Buy low in producing regions and sell high where goods are scarce. Horses from Aserai territories, for example, command premium prices in Vlandian cities. As your trade skill improves, you'll see more detailed price information, making profitable routes easier to identify.
Workshops and caravans provide passive income streams essential for long-term success. Workshops cost around 15,000 denars but generate steady profits when placed strategically. Research local production before purchasing – a brewery in a grain-producing region will outperform one in a territory that imports grain. Caravans require less initial investment but face greater risks from bandits and wars.
Diplomacy and Kingdom Building
As you grow in power, diplomatic relationships become increasingly important. Start by building positive relationships with lords and ladies through successful quests and honorable behavior in battle. These relationships prove invaluable when you eventually seek to join or create a kingdom.
Joining an existing kingdom as a mercenary provides excellent training for eventual independence. You'll participate in large-scale wars, siege mighty castles, and learn the intricacies of faction politics. Use this time to build relationships with other lords and accumulate influence – both will prove essential when you're ready to claim your own lands.
Creating your own kingdom represents Bannerlord's ultimate challenge. You'll need significant resources, powerful allies, and strategic territory. Start by claiming a well-positioned castle or city – preferably one with productive villages and defensible terrain. Immediately recruit lords to your cause by leveraging your relationships and offering generous terms. Remember, a kingdom is only as strong as its vassals.
Advanced Tips for Long-term Success
Success in Bannerlord requires thinking several steps ahead. Always maintain a reserve fund for emergencies – wars can erupt suddenly, leaving you unable to pay troops or finance defenses. Diversify your income sources to weather economic disruptions. A combination of workshops, caravans, and territory provides stability against various threats.
Focus on developing a signature elite unit for your army. Whether it's Vlandian knights, Battanian fian champions, or Imperial cataphracts, having a core of elite troops provides the striking power needed to punch above your weight class. Protect these valuable units by using lower-tier troops to absorb initial casualties.
Learn to read the political landscape. Monitor faction strengths, ongoing wars, and succession crises. Opportunities often arise when major factions are distracted by multiple conflicts. A well-timed declaration of independence or strategic alliance can shift the balance of power in your favor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players often expand too quickly, claiming territory they cannot defend. Each new holding increases your administrative burden and stretches your forces thinner. Consolidate your power base before expanding. Quality trumps quantity – one well-developed city outperforms three neglected castles.
Neglecting companion development is another common error. Companions can become powerful assets when properly developed. Assign them roles that match their skills and equip them with quality gear. A well-equipped companion can turn the tide of battle or efficiently govern your settlements, multiplying your effectiveness.
Finally, don't ignore the campaign difficulty settings. Bannerlord offers extensive customization options that let you tailor the experience to your skill level. There's no shame in adjusting settings while you learn – the goal is to have fun while mastering the game's complex systems. You can always increase difficulty as your skills improve.
Conclusion
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers an unparalleled medieval sandbox experience. Success comes from understanding its interconnected systems and making strategic long-term decisions. Start small, learn from failures, and gradually build your power base. Whether you aspire to become a merchant prince, a legendary warrior, or an emperor, Calradia offers endless possibilities for those bold enough to seize them.
Remember that Bannerlord is a journey, not a destination. Each playthrough offers new challenges and opportunities. Embrace the freedom to fail and experiment – some of the game's most memorable moments come from unexpected situations and creative solutions. Now mount up, raise your banner, and forge your legend in the lands of Calradia!