Bandit Factions & Hideouts

November 21, 2025

Profiles of bandit types and clearing hideouts efficiently.

Not all bandits are created equal. Knowing the difference between a Looter and a Sea Raider is the difference between easy XP and a wiped party.

Bandit Factions Overview

Map showing common bandit spawn regions.

1. Looters

  • Region: Everywhere.

  • Threat: Very Low. Armed with stones and pitchforks.

  • Loot: Ragged clothes, grain.

  • Use: Perfect for training Tier 1 recruits.

2. Sea Raiders

  • Region: Northern Coast (Sturgia) and Western Coast (Vlandia).

  • Threat: High. They have shields, throwing axes, and mail armor.

  • Loot: Best in game. Chainmail, nordic helms, round shields.

  • Hideout: Coastal caves (Sea Raider Landing).

A typical Sea Raider landing point.

3. Forest Bandits

  • Region: Battania (Forests).

  • Threat: Very High (Ranged). They mass longbows.

  • Loot: Furs, wood, potentially Noble Longbows (rare).

  • Hideout: Deep forest camps.

  • Counter: Bring shields! Do not charge them with unshielded recruits.

Forest bandits hiding in the woods.

4. Mountain Bandits

  • Region: Vlandia and Western Empire mountains.

  • Threat: Medium. Mixed cavalry and skirmishers.

  • Loot: Spears, maces, light armor.

5. Desert Bandits

  • Region: Aserai (Desert).

  • Threat: Medium/High. Fast cavalry and javelins.

  • Loot: Desert horses, javelins.

6. Steppe Bandits

  • Region: Khuzait (Steppe).

  • Threat: High. Horse archers.

  • Loot: Steppe horses, arrows.

  • Counter: They are fast; catch them in corners or use ranged units.

Clearing Strategies

  • Vs Sea Raiders: Shield wall. Let them throw their axes at your shields before engaging.

  • Vs Forest Bandits: Shield wall or loose formation if you have superior archers.

  • Vs Steppe Bandits: Bring cavalry or accurate archers.

For more on turning these fights into cash, see Bandit Hunting for Profit.

Bandit Factions & Hideouts | mountandblade-bannor-lords-2 | Blink5