Articles

Vlandia

The feudal heavy cavalry powerhouse of the west

Western Empire

The military claim of Garios.

Culture Bonuses & Starting Choices

Overview of cultural perks and starting backgrounds.

Sturgia

The axe-wielding warriors of the frozen north.

Wiki Navigation Hub

Central hub linking to every pillar and subpage for the Bannerlord 2 blog.

Weapon Types Explained

Pros/cons of swords, axes, polearms, bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons.

Weapon Types & Best Loadouts

Comparison of melee, ranged, and mounted weapon options.

War & Diplomacy Management

Controlling wars, truces, and peace deals.

Vlandia Troop Tree

Crossbow and knight-focused progression.

Vlandia Kingdom Guide

A specific deep-dive into the Vlandian faction.

Village Raiding & Defense

Mechanics and consequences of raiding villages and protecting them.

Vakken and Minor Factions

Overview of minor factions (Avala, Jawwal, etc.) and their roles.

Ultimate Beginner Guide

Onboard new players with a step-by-step path through early game decisions.

Troop Experience & Upgrading

Training an elite army efficiently.

Troop Recruitment and Development

How to build, train, and specialize armies from village recruits to elites.

Training Troops Efficiently

Methods to level troops quickly and safely.

Tournaments vs. Duels

Comparison of formal tournaments and random duels.

Tournaments by Region

Regional differences in tournament rewards and weapons.

Tournaments & Arena Guide

How to win tournaments and farm renown/gear.

Tournaments & Arena Fighting

Guide to winning tournaments and using arenas for practice.

Throwing Weapons Guide

Using javelins, throwing axes, and throwing knives.

Travel & Map Exploration

Tips for safe and efficient map traversal.

The Empire

Coverage of the Northern, Southern, and Western Empire factions and their politics.

Trade Routes and Goods

A guide for merchant playthroughs.

Trading Routes & Goods

Profitable trade loops and goods management.

Trade Skill Guide

Leveling Trade skill and leveraging perks for profit.

Towns and Villages List

A repository page listing key locations.

Town Management & Prosperity

How towns generate income and how to improve them.

Town Management

Optimizing towns for prosperity, loyalty, and security.

Tactics Skill Deep Dive

How Tactics affects auto-resolve and formation efficiency.

Scouting Skill Guide

Leveling scouting and exploiting terrain knowledge.

Tactics Skill & Battle AI

How the Tactics skill alters simulations and AI commands.

The Dragon Banner Quest

A guide to the main storyline of Bannerlord.

Terrain & Weather Effects

How terrain and weather affect movement and combat.

Tactics for Fighting Horse Archers

Counter-strategies against horse archer-heavy armies.

Performance & Optimization

Tips to improve FPS and stability.

Sturgia Troop Tree

Heavy infantry and shock troop progression.

Storyline & Main Quest

Walkthrough of the Neretzes' Folly questline and choices.

Sandbox Goals & Late-Game Paths

Alternate victory conditions and self-directed progression goals.

Sturgia Kingdom Guide

A specific deep-dive into the Sturgian faction.

Performance and Graphics Settings

Optimizing FPS and stability across hardware levels.

Steward Skill Leveling

How to raise Steward quickly for party size and income.

Skill Guides (One-Handed, Two-Handed, Polearm, Bow, Crossbow, Throwing)

Individual skill breakdowns with perk recommendations.

Sandbox Challenges & Ironman Runs

Ideas for self-imposed challenges and ironman setup.

Steward Skill Deep Dive

Maximizing party size and food bonuses through Steward.

Skills & Perks Overview

High-level look at all skill trees and milestone perks.

Smithing Skill Guide

Dedicated page for optimizing the Smithing skill.

Smithing & Item Value

How smithing works and how to profit from crafted gear.

Smithing for Profit

Turning smithing into a money printer and weapon crafting hub.

Smithing & Crafting Guide

The art of forging weapons for profit and power.

Sieges and Castle Warfare

Planning, executing, and defending sieges effectively.

Starting Your Own Kingdom

From clan leader to King: Requirements and challenges.

Siege Warfare & Defenses

Comprehensive guide to attacking and defending settlements.

Roguery Skill Leveling

Bandit-focused gameplay and black-market profits.

Siege Engines & Construction

Deep dive into rams, towers, trebuchets, and ballistae.

Siege Warfare Guide

Tactics for attacking and defending fortifications.

Settlement Management & Governors

Choosing governors and optimizing settlements.

Roguery Skill Guide

Bandit interactions, smuggling, and criminal playstyles.

Siege Warfare Fundamentals

Pillar on planning and executing sieges.

Settlement Management

A guide to managing Towns, Castles, and Villages for profit and security.

Southern Empire

Rhagaea's claim through lineage.

Patch Notes & Version Differences

Summary of major patches and how they change gameplay.

Seasonal Events & Patches

Track official updates and limited-time events.

Siege Warfare & Engineering

Planning, building, and executing sieges.

Roguery & Crime

How criminal actions and black market interactions work.

Scouting Skill Leveling

Improving vision range and avoiding ambushes.

Party Speed Optimization

How to move faster on the campaign map.

Patch Notes & Meta Changes

Running log of major updates affecting balance and economy.

Party Speed & Map Movement

Mechanics affecting overland speed.

Reputation & Relations

How relations with nobles, notables, and factions work.

Relationship Building with Notables

How to raise relations with village/town notables for better recruits.

Recruiting Noble Troops

How to access noble lines like cataphracts and fians.

Ranged Combat & Archery

How bows, crossbows, and throwing weapons work.

Raiding Villages and Caravans

High-risk, high-reward raiding tactics and consequences.

Quests & Notables

Guide to town/village quests and notable NPCs.

Prisoner Management

Ransom, recruitment, and escape prevention.

Prison Breaks & Rescue Missions

How to rescue companions or lords from captivity.

Mounted Combat Techniques

Tips for fighting on horseback with lances, bows, and melee.

Party Speed Mechanics

Factors that determine overland speed and how to optimize them.

Policies & Laws

Guide to kingdom policies and their effects.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Overview

High-level introduction to Bannerlord's setting, gameplay pillars, and why Calradia matters to players.

Polearm & Spear Guide

Spear bracing, pike walls, and polearm mastery.

Morale and Desertion Control

Keeping armies loyal and avoiding desertion.

Party Speed Explained

Mechanics that determine world map movement speed.

Mods & Tools Overview

Safe modding practices and must-have tools.

Modding & Tooling Starter

Safe mod setups, loaders, and must-have QoL mods.

Mounts & Horse Types

Differences between saddle horses, desert horses, warhorses, and camels.

Noble Troops Guide

A focused guide on the elite unit lines.

Multiplayer & Co-op Options

Guide to available multiplayer modes and community mods.

Multiplayer Overview

Introduction to Bannerlord multiplayer modes.

Party Size and Morale

How to command larger armies and keep them from deserting.

Northern Empire

The Senate's claim to the imperial throne.

Influence & Policies

Influence currency flow and best policies to pick.

Influence and Renown

Managing the two most important currencies for nobles.

Looting & Smithing Routes

Efficient loops for loot farming and smelting profits.

Main Quest and Storyline

A walkthrough of the Dragon Banner questline.

Marriage and Children

A guide to family mechanics and dynasty building.

Main Storyline & Tutorials

Walkthrough for Neretzes' Folly and related quests.

Modding & Best Mods

Overview of popular and stable mods that enhance gameplay.

Kingdom Taxes & Policies

How taxation and policy choices impact income and loyalty.

Managing Rebellions

Keeping your conquered towns loyal.

Logistics: Food, Wages, Prisoners

Keeping the army fed, paid, and profitable.

Marriage, Heirs, and Dynasty

Family mechanics, heirs, and succession.

Kingdoms of Calradia

A comprehensive overview of the major factions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

Modding Basics

Safe mod setup for performance and quality-of-life.

Marriage & Heirs

Family-building and succession systems.

Legendary Weapons & Artifacts

Rare items, quest rewards, and notable crafted builds.

Making Money Fast

Quick-hit money-making methods for early and mid game.

Minor Factions & Mercenary Companies

Overview of neutral/hostile minor clans and mercenary contracts.

Kingdom Policies & Laws

Policy effects on economy, military, and clan relations.

Infantry Line Tactics

Shield walls, spear bracing, and anti-cavalry play.

Marriage & Family

Securing your lineage and alliances.

Kingdoms Overview

Snapshot of every major and minor faction in Calradia.

Minor Factions

Roundup of minor clans (Jawwal, Eleftheroi, etc.) and their roles.

How to Recruit Lords

A guide to expanding your kingdom by turning enemies into allies.

Medicine Skill Leveling

Keeping troops alive and reducing recovery times.

Minor Clans & Mercenaries

Guide to non-kingdom clans and hireable companies.

Leadership Skill Leveling

Growing leadership for larger, loyal armies.

Medicine Skill Guide

Keeping troops alive and reducing downtime.

Main Quest Alternate Endings

Outcomes of different main quest decisions and their impacts.

Imperial Troop Tree

Balanced imperial troop progression across the three empires.

Mercenary Work & Vassalage

Serving a liege: Contracts, payments, and fealty.

Map of Calradia & Regions

Overview of Calradia's geography, biomes, choke points, and trade routes.

Leadership Skill Guide

Boosting cohesion, morale, and party size through Leadership.

Main Storyline and Banner of Calradia

Walkthrough of the Neretzes’ Folly questline and banner restoration.

Horses & Mounts

Types of horses and their uses in war and peace.

Main Storyline Walkthrough

Sequential walkthrough for the Dragon Banner questline and critical choices.

Kingdom Management and Ruling

A pillar page for mid-to-late game players establishing their own empire.

Khuzait Kingdom Guide

A specific deep-dive into the Khuzait faction.

Khuzait Troop Tree

Horse archer-focused troop progression.

Khuzait Khanate Guide

Horse archer supremacy and steppe mobility.

Horses, Camels & Mount Bonuses

Detailed mount stats and regional availability.

Ideation: subjects, angles, and comparisons

Rapid brainstorming list to ensure coverage of every system, noun, and common search intent for Bannerlord 2.

Farming Renown

Leveling your Clan Tier fast.

Horse Archer Builds

How to pilot and field horse archer-heavy forces.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

Quick answers to common questions and bugs.

Governors Guide

A guide to utilizing heroes as governors.

Khuzait

The horse lords of the eastern steppes.

Factions and Kingdoms Guide

The central pillar page for all cultures and political entities in Calradia.

Getting Started with Bannerlord 2

Beginner-friendly primer on what Bannerlord 2 is, key game modes, and early steps.

Executions & Diplomacy

The consequences of chopping heads.

Food Variety & Party Health

Benefits of food diversity on morale and movement.

Food, Morale & Wages Management

Keeping troops fed, loyal, and affordable.

Food and Provisions

Keeping the army fed and healthy.

Fief Voting & Diplomacy Decisions

How fief distribution works after conquests.

Fief Management Guide

How to manage Towns and Castles effectively.

Fief Management and Prosperity

Maximizing income and stability from towns and castles.

Gaining Influence

How to farm the political currency of Calradia.

Execution & Honor System

Consequences of executing nobles and honor-related actions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Central hub answering common newcomer and midgame questions.

Formations & Battlefield Tactics

How to command armies effectively in real-time battles.

Execution and Death

Understanding the permadeath systems.

How to Make Money Early Game After Getting Captured (Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord)

Quick recovery guide for Bannerlord players who've escaped capture with no money, no gear, and no food. Learn how to rebuild fast.

Early Game Money-Making

Fast cash strategies during the first 10-20 days.

Events & Random Encounters

Explanation of random events and how choices affect outcomes.

Diplomacy & Kingdom Politics

Pillar covering wars, alliances, and influence spending.

Equipment Progression Paths

Suggested gear upgrades from early to late game.

Equipment, Crafting, and Smithing

Gear progression, crafting mechanics, and optimizing loadouts.

Equipment Weight & Encumbrance

Impact of gear weight on movement and stamina.

Equipment & Armor Stats

How armor values, weight, and materials affect performance.

Diplomacy & Influence

Mechanics for alliances, wars, vassalage, and voting.

Battania

Masters of the forest and ambushes.

Attributes, Skills & Perks

Pillar on character growth systems and perk choices.

Diplomacy and Policies

How diplomacy works, alliances form, and policies shape your realm.

Engineering Skill Leveling

Leveling engineering for faster sieges and better engines.

Empire (Southern, Northern, Western)

Overview of all Empire factions, their politics, and troop specialties.

Economy & Trade Systems

Pillar on how money flows through workshops, caravans, and markets.

Economy & Trade Guide

Master the economy of Bannerlord: Workshops, Caravans, and Trading.

Economy of Town Prosperity

Detailed look at prosperity drivers and penalties.

Economy and Trade Basics

How money flows in Bannerlord and the fastest ways to build wealth.

Economy and Money Making Guide

A pillar page dedicated to the financial systems of Bannerlord.

Companion Spawn List

Catalog of wanderers with their cultures and skills.

Companion Guide and Roles

Best companions, where to find them, and how to assign roles.

Combat Basics & Controls

Core mechanics for melee, ranged, and blocking.

Crime & Roguery Playstyle

How to play as a bandit lord.

Engineering Skill Guide

Leveling Engineering for better siege engines.

Combat and Battle Tactics

Core combat systems and on-field tactics for different troop types.

Clearing Hideouts

Taking out bandit camps for loot and safety.

Combat Training Drills

Fast ways to improve personal combat skills.

Charm Skill Guide

Persuasion mechanics for diplomacy, marriages, and recruiting lords.

Clan Tier Progression

Advancing clan tiers and unlocking parties/workshops.

Combat Mechanics Guide

Mastering the art of war: Directional combat, damage types, and armor.

Clan Management and Influence

How clans level up, earn influence, and manage parties.

Character Skills and Attributes

A pillar page explaining the RPG progression system.

Clan Progression & Influence

How clan tiers, renown, and influence drive growth.

Clan Management

Growing your family, companions, and influence in Calradia.

Attributes & Focus Points

How attribute points and focus points affect leveling and performance.

Combat Fundamentals

Teach core combat systems for melee, ranged, cavalry, formations, and AI behavior.

Character Creation & Culture Choice

Picking culture, family background, and starting skills.

Clan & Kingdom Management

Managing fiefs, vassals, laws, and armies.

Clan Management & Growth

Pillar on upgrading clan tiers and managing members.

Cheats & Console Commands

Catalog of debug and convenience commands.

Character Builds & Leveling

Attribute and focus point planning for different playstyles.

Caravans and Trade Routes

Setting up caravans, choosing leaders, and profitable paths.

Caravan Routes & Safe Paths

Recommended caravan paths minimizing risk.

Character Builds & Development

A guide to Attributes, Skills, Perks, and leveling your character.

Charm Skill Leveling

Winning votes, barters, and marriages through charm.

Captivity & Escape

What happens when the player is captured and how to recover.

Calradia Kingdoms Overview

High-level snapshot of all major factions and their playstyles.

Best Cavalry and Horse Archers

Top cavalry units and horse archer builds.

Best Archers by Faction

Ranking archers across cultures and how to field them.

Best Archer Units

Raining death from a distance: The best ranged foot troops.

Battlefield Controls & UI Settings

Recommended control setups and UI tweaks for efficiency.

Battania Kingdom Guide

A specific deep-dive into the Battanian faction.

Best Weapons & Gear

Finding and crafting the best equipment in Calradia.

Bandit-to-Commander Progression

Narrative guide for rising from looter fights to commanding armies.

Bandit Hunting for Profit

Methodology for farming bandits for loot and XP.

Bow & Crossbow Guide

Ranged combat fundamentals for bows and crossbows.

Bandit Factions & Hideouts

Profiles of bandit types and clearing hideouts efficiently.

Bandit Dens and Clearing Quests

How bandit hideouts work and efficient clearing tactics.

Bandit Bosses & Unique Encounters

Catalog of special bandit leaders and unique quest battles.

Best Weapons and Equipment

A gear guide for the player character.

Best Cavalry Units

A comparison of the finest mounted troops in Calradia.

Best Troops by Role

Ranking of top units for infantry, archers, cavalry, and horse archers.

Bannerlord Ultimate Beginner's Guide

A comprehensive starting point for new players, covering the first few hours of gameplay, character creation, and basic survival.

Best Troop Compositions by Stage

Recommended armies for early, mid, and late game.

Battle & Skirmish Tactics

Field battle fundamentals and command sequences.

Beginner's Guide

Step-by-step onboarding for new players from tutorial to first profitable loop.

Best Infantry Units

The shield wall and the shock troops.

Battania Troop Tree

Troop progression for Battanian units emphasizing archers.

Banner Customization & Heraldry

Guide to creating banners and applying heraldry.

Aserai Troop Tree

Full troop progression for Aserai units.

Arena Practice & Training Fields

Free practice and skill leveling methods.

Archery Skills and Perks

Leveling bow skills and choosing perks for ranged dominance.

Archer Builds & Comparisons

Ranking and using archers and crossbowmen across factions.

Aserai Kingdom Guide

A specific deep-dive into the Aserai faction.

Army Command & Formations

How to organize troops, assign captains, and use formations.

Aserai Sultanate Guide

Strengths, weaknesses, and roster analysis for the Aserai.

Army Recruitment & Morale Cheatsheet

Quick-reference table for keeping armies full and happy.

Army Cohesion & Food Management

Managing cohesion in armies and keeping stacks supplied.

Army Morale & Leadership

Factors that influence morale in battles and on the campaign map.

Armor vs. Damage Types

How armor mitigates cutting, piercing, and blunt damage.

Armor & Mounts

Overview of armor tiers and mount selection.

Army & Influence Management

Building, sustaining, and directing armies.

Army Cohesion and Influence Use

Building and sustaining armies efficiently.

Armor & Gear Progression

Best armor sets and efficient upgrade paths.

Arena & Tournament Guide

Walkthrough for winning tournaments and profiting from arenas.

Kingdom Management

Ruling Calradia: Policies, Diplomacy, and Armies.

Advanced Money-Making Strategies

Late-game profit tactics.

All the Kingdoms in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (2025 Guide)

Quick overview of all the major kingdoms in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord — who they are, where they fight, and what makes them unique.

Aserai

Sultans of the southern deserts.

In Mount and blade bannor lords 2 on steam deck how do I trigger the extended commands like square formation.

Army Composition: Joy vs. Optimization in Bannerlord

Why building armies that bring you joy often leads to better tactics—and a more satisfying Bannerlord experience.