Battania: The Kings of the Forest

Of all the Kingdoms of Calradia, none are as feared in the woodlands as the Battanians. Inspired by the Celtic and Gallic tribes of Western Europe, Battania is a faction defined by fierce independence, ambush tactics, and the deadliest archers in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

Led by the charismatic High King Caladog, the Battanians hold the central highlands of Calradia. While they lack the heavy cavalry of their Vlandian rivals or the disciplined formations of the Empire, they make up for it with speed, terrain mastery, and a hail of arrows that can blot out the sun.

Culture Bonuses: The Forest Advantage

The Battanian culture bonus is arguably the most strategically significant in the game for a specific playstyle:

• 50% less speed penalty in forests.

This might sound minor to a beginner, but as detailed in our Party Speed Optimization guide, movement speed is life. In the dense woods that cover their homeland, Battanian armies can catch smaller parties with ease or outrun massive army stacks that would otherwise crush them.

• +1 Militia production in towns.

This bonus makes Battanian fiefs surprisingly resilient. When you combine high militia counts with the natural defensive advantages of their siege maps, taking a Battanian city requires a heavy toll in blood.

The Troop Roster

The Battanian military doctrine is simple: Range Superiority.

The Crown Jewel: Fian Champions

The Battanian Fian Champion is widely considered one of the Best Archer Units in the entire game. Unlike other archers who crumble in melee, Fians carry massive two-handed swords.

• Weaponry: Noble Longbow (Highest damage bow) + Two-Handed Sword.

• Role: They can snipe enemies from across the map and then charge in as shock infantry to finish the job.

• Recruitment: They are part of the "Highborn" noble troop line, recruited from village notables.

Infantry: The Shield Wall

While the Fians take the glory, the Battanian infantry line holds the front.

• Oathsworn: Heavily armored spear units with large shields. They aren't as tanky as Legionaries, but they are fast and hit hard.

• Wildlings: These are skirmishers par excellence. As noted in our Throwing Weapons Guide, a volley of javelins from a line of Wildlings can break a cavalry charge before it even connects.

Cavalry: The Weakness

Battania has the worst cavalry in the game. Their mounted skirmishers are lightly armored and struggle against the heavy knights of Vlandia or the horse archers of the Khuzait. Use them only for scouting or chasing down fleeing looters.

Geography and Economy

Battania sits in the heart of the map, surrounded by enemies. To the west lies Vlandia, to the north Sturgia, and to the south and east, the Empire.

The terrain is mountainous and heavily forested. This geography is their primary defense. Taking an army through the Battanian passes is slow and dangerous.

Key Settlements

• Marunath: Often one of the richest cities in the game due to its central location and prosperity.

• Seonon: A hub for hardwood.

• Dunglanys: A key defensive fortress.

Economy Tips

Because of the abundance of hardwood in Battanian villages, this region is the best place to start your Smithing for Profit journey. Hardwood is cheap, charcoal is plentiful, and the local tournaments often reward high-tier weapons that can be smelted for parts.

Strategy: How to Win as Battania

1. Fight in the Shade: Never fight Vlandia in the open field. Lure them into the woods where their cavalry lose their speed bonus and your infantry gain theirs.

2. Mass Fians: A party of 50+ Fian Champions can defeat armies three times their size. Place them on a hill, hold fire until the enemy is close, and watch the kill feed turn green.

3. Defense over Offense: Battania shines in defensive sieges. The range of the Noble Longbow allows you to pick off enemies operating the battering ram with ease. See our Siege Warfare & Engineering guide for more defensive setups.

Battania is a faction for players who love micro-management, ambushes, and watching enemies melt under a rain of arrows. They are not the easiest faction to play, but they are undeniably one of the most rewarding.