Army Composition: Joy vs. Optimization in Bannerlord

You know that moment in Bannerlord when you catch yourself fielding the same mid-game army again? Maybe it's another stack of Vlandian heavy cavalry, because, well, it works. But it also starts to feel like eating plain oatmeal—effective, but joyless.

The game gives you incredible freedom, yet it's easy to drift toward "optimal" builds that look identical across saves. Heavy cav charges, same formation orders, same outcomes. You win—but you don't feel it anymore.

So I tried something different.

Instead of chasing the most efficient unit mix, I built the army I actually wanted to command: a sea of archers. Rows of bows, the rhythmic chaos of volleys in motion. The kind of force that feels alive.

Yes, I know—crossbowmen are technically better. They hit harder, shoot straighter, and usually rack up the kill counts. But they don't bring me joy. So I shifted my tactics instead of my troops.

My archers now shoot while walking backward, stretching out their firing window before melee contact. Since bowmen can reload while moving and crossbowmen can't, it flips the balance a little. It turns a weakness into a strength. Suddenly, the battle feels dynamic again—less spreadsheet, more story.

That's the hidden beauty of Bannerlord's sandbox: when you build for joy first, your strategy evolves around it. You stop copying meta guides and start discovering new rhythms—ones that fit your style, not someone else's.

"Don't chase perfect. Chase what makes you want to play another hour."

So go ahead—build the cavalry horde, the archer wall, or even the all-peasant rebellion if it makes you grin. The fights that mean the most are the ones that reflect you.

Try This in Your Next Campaign

• Pick one unit type that makes you smile every time you deploy it.

• Build around that—formations, orders, companions.

• Adapt your tactics to their quirks instead of chasing balance.

• Notice how much longer you stay immersed.

Winning's fun. But loving the way you win? That's what keeps you coming back.