Welcome to Calradia

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a massive sandbox strategy game. This guide will help you survive your first few weeks in Calradia, from creating your character to leading your first warband.

Character Creation & Culture Choice

Your first big decision is your culture. This gives you permanent bonuses:

• Vlandia: 20% more XP to troops. Excellent for leveling armies fast.

• Battania: 50% less speed penalty in forests. Incredible for catching enemies or escaping.

• Empire: 20% less garrison wage. Good for late-game kingdom management.

For a beginner, Vlandia or Battania are the strongest choices.

Choosing the right culture sets the tone for your campaign.

The First Steps

After the tutorial (which you should play for the free combat XP), you'll be dropped into the world map. Your goals are simple:

1. Recruit: Go to villages and "Recruit Troops". Get about 10-15 men.

2. Food: Buy Grain from villages to feed them.

3. Money: You need Denars to pay wages.

Early Game Economy

The safest way to make money early on is fighting Looters. These are low-level bandits who rarely kill your troops (they mostly knock them unconscious).

• Chase down small groups of Looters.

• Use "Send Troops" if you have a numbers advantage (simulated battles give good XP against Looters).

• Sell the loot and prisoners in the nearest town.

Looters are your primary source of XP and loot in the early game.

Tournaments

Visit major towns and check the Arena. Tournaments offer great rewards:

• Betting: You can bet on yourself to win huge sums.

• Prizes: High-tier armor and horses.

• Renown: Essential for leveling up your Clan.

Check our Tournaments & Arena Fighting guide for tips on how to win every time.

Party Management

As you grow, keep an eye on:

• Morale: Variety in food (Grain, Butter, Meat) keeps morale high.

• Speed: Buy horses (Sumpter Horses or Mules) to carry your loot, but don't buy too many or you get a "Herd Penalty". See Party Speed & Map Movement.

• Companions: Check Taverns for Wanderers. A good Scout or Surgeon is vital. See Companions & Wanderers Guide.

Navigating the map efficiently is key to survival.

Next Steps

Once you hit Clan Tier 1 (by farming Renown), you can become a Mercenary for a Kingdom. This is where the real game begins.

For more details, check out:

• Combat Basics & Controls

• Smithing for Profit

• Clan Tier Progression