Archery Skills and Perks

Mastering the bow in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord transforms you from a vulnerable recruit into a battlefield deity capable of raining death from hundreds of meters away. Whether you want to lead a band of Fian Champions or terrorize enemies as a Khuzait horse archer, understanding the Bow skill tree is essential.

The Bow Skill tree offers distinct paths for foot archers, horse archers, and commanders.

The Path of the Bow

Experience (XP) for the Bow skill is gained by dealing damage to enemies with a bow. The amount of XP depends on:

• Difficulty: Shots from further away or headshots grant significantly more XP.

• Damage: Higher damage shots yield more XP.

• Movement: Shooting from horseback (especially at speed) adds a multiplier.

Leveling Strategies

Grinding Bow skill can be slow if you don't know the tricks. Here are the most efficient methods:

1. The Looter Loop

Early game, hunt groups of Looters alone. Ride around them in circles (kiting) and pick them off one by one. Since they have no shields and low armor, you will land consistent hits. Aim for headshots to speed up the process.

2. Siege Defense ("Ladder Cheese")

This is the fastest way to power-level. during a siege defense, position yourself near a ladder where enemies climb up. As they crest the wall, shoot them point-blank in the head. The high density of targets ensures you never miss, and the "Siege" context often grants bonus XP.

Training your aim in a safe environment like a siege defense is the fastest way to level.

3. Tournament Practice

Tournaments are risk-free. If you spawn with a bow, use it to dominate the arena. You gain XP for every hit, and winning provides gold and renown.

Perk Tier List

The Bow perk tree forces you to choose between "Self" bonuses and "Captain" (Troop) bonuses, or between "Foot" and "Mounted" styles.

Essential Perks (Foot Archer)

• Dead Aim (Lvl 25): Increases headshot damage. Crucial for one-shotting elites.

• Ranger's Swiftness (Lvl 50): Increases reload speed while moving. Vital for kiting.

• Strong Bows (Lvl 125): Increases damage with bows. Simple, effective.

Essential Perks (Horse Archer)

• Mounted Archery (Lvl 100): Reduces accuracy penalty while moving on horseback. This is mandatory for any horse archer build.

• Horse Master (Lvl 225): Allows you to use any bow on horseback. This unlocks the Noble Longbow for mounted use, which is a massive power spike.

Mastering the Parthian shot—firing backwards while retreating—is the hallmark of a skilled horse archer.

The "Captain" Perks

If you are leading a formation of archers (like Best Archer Units), prioritize perks labeled Captain.

• Merry Men (Lvl 100): Increases party size limit.

• Renowned Archer (Lvl 200): Increases the accuracy of troops in your formation.

Gear & Weight

A hidden mechanic in Bannerlord is the effect of equipment weight on your archery.

• Light Armor: Allows for faster movement and slightly faster draw speeds.

• Heavy Armor: Provides protection but slows you down.

• The Bow: "Noble" bows have high damage but require high skill. Don't equip a bow you can't handle efficiently, or your accuracy reticle will take forever to close.

For a deep dive on mounts to pair with your bow, check out Best Horses and Mounts. To learn how to command your archers effectively, read Combat and Battle Tactics.