Attributes, Skills & Perks
November 21, 2025
Pillar on character growth systems and perk choices.
While Attributes and Focus Points determine your potential, Perks are the specialized tools that let you realize it. In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, perks are not just stat boosts; they define your role in the party, your capability as a governor, and your lethality on the battlefield.
The Perk System Explained
Every skill in Bannerlord has a perk tree. As you gain XP and level up a skill, you unlock perk choices at specific intervals (Level 25, 50, 75, etc.).
The Rule of Choice
At most milestones, you are presented with two options. You can only pick one.
Example (One-Handed Lvl 25): Basher (+30% Bash Stun) vs Deflection (+30% Handle HP).
Strategy: Generally, damage and speed boosts outweigh durability or slight HP boosts.
Perk Roles
Pay close attention to the "tags" on each perk:
Personal: Applies to your character only.
Captain: Applies to troops in your formation (essential for combat leaders).
Party Leader: Applies to the whole army (essential for the main character or Quartermaster).
Governor: Applies only if the character is left in a town/castle as a Governor.
Tip: Don't waste "Governor" perks on your main character unless you plan to retire them to a castle!
How to Respec Perks
Made a mistake? Picked a Governor perk for your Party Leader? You can fix it.
To reset your perks:
Travel to any Town with an Arena.
Enter the Arena and speak to the Tournament Master.
Select the option to help you "recall your training".
Pay a fee (scales with level) to reset all perks in a specific skill tree.
Key Perk Archetypes
Building a character requires focus. Here are three distinct paths:
1. The Warlord (Leadership & Tactics)
Focuses on army size, morale, and simulation battles.
Key Skill: Leadership Skill Guide
Must-Have Perk: Leader of the Masses (Leadership 125) - Drastically increases party size for every town you own.
2. The Administrator (Steward & Medicine)
The ultimate Quartermaster build. Keeps the army fed, healthy, and huge.
Key Skill: Steward Skill Deep Dive
Must-Have Perk: Paid in Promise (Steward 100) - Discard weapons/armor to give troops XP.
3. The Profit Maker (Trade & Smithing)
Focuses on economy and equipment.
Key Skill: Smithing for Profit
Must-Have Perk: Artisan Smith (Smithing 125) - Halves the stamina cost of refining.
Summary
Plan your build around Party Leader perks if you are the main character.
Use Companions for Scout, Surgeon, and Engineer roles to free up your own Focus Points.
Check out our Character Builds & Development guide for full templates.