Battania Kingdom Guide

Nestled in the misty highlands of central Calradia, Battania is a kingdom of fierce warriors who cling to the old ways. Unlike the feudal Vlandians or the imperialistic Empire, the Battanians are a confederation of clans led by the High King, Caladog. They are masters of the ambush, striking from the forests with deadly accuracy before fading back into the trees.

Overview: The Lords of the Forest

Culture Bonus: Battanian parties suffer 50% less speed penalty in forests. This is arguably the strongest map-movement bonus in the game, allowing you to catch smaller parties or escape larger armies with ease as long as you stick to the trees.

Ruler: High King Caladog. Capital: Marunath (often contested, but central).

Troop Roster Analysis: The Supremacy of Fians

Battania lacks heavy cavalry, which puts them at a disadvantage in open fields against Vlandia or the Empire. However, they possess the single most devastating unit in Bannerlord: the Battanian Fian Champion.

The Battanian Fian Champion is an arrow machine gun. A line of Fians can decimate an entire army before they even reach your infantry.

• Infantry: Battanian infantry (Oathsworn, Wildlings) are decent but lack the heavy armor of Legionaries. Their shock troops (Falxmen) deal incredible damage but are vulnerable to arrows.

• Cavalry: Their mounted skirmishers are weak. Use them only to distract enemy cavalry, not for charges.

Strategic Geography

Battania is surrounded. They border Vlandia to the west, Sturgia to the north, and the Empire to the south and east. This means constant war. However, their terrain is their greatest ally. The entire kingdom is covered in dense forests and hills.

Fighting in the forest negates the charge bonus of enemy cavalry and provides cover for your infantry.

Playing as Battania

1. Recruit Nobles: The Fian line comes from "Highborn" recruits found in villages bound to Castles (not Towns). Check villages like Tor Leiad or Rhemtoil.

2. Stick to the Trees: Always fight in forests. Your speed bonus lets you pick your battles.

3. Defend Sieges: Fians on castle walls are a nightmare for attackers.

Battania's central position allows for expansion in any direction, but also invites attacks from all sides.

Playing Against Battania

If you are fighting Caladog, do not chase him into the woods.

• Shield Walls: You must approach Fians with shields up.

• Fast Cavalry: Flank them. Once engaged in melee, Fians are still dangerous (they use two-handed swords) but less deadly than at range.

• Season: Fight them in Winter if possible, as snow slows everyone down, negating some of their forest speed advantage.

Read More

• Best Archer Units - See how Fians stack up.

• Kingdoms Overview - Learn about your rivals.

• Party Speed Optimization - Master the map.

• Vlandia Kingdom Guide - Your western enemy.

• Sturgia Kingdom Guide - Your northern neighbor.

• Combat Fundamentals - Basics of war.

• Siege Warfare Fundamentals - Taking Battanian castles.

• Starting Your Own Kingdom - Be the new High King.