Best Weapons and Equipment
November 21, 2025
A gear guide for the player character.
Best Weapons and Equipment
Your skills matter, but bringing a knife to a glaive fight is a recipe for disaster. In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, equipment defines your capabilities on the battlefield.
The right weapon can turn the tide of battle.
Melee Weapons (Meta Picks)
Best Two-Handed Axe: The Executioner Axe
Why: It has "Pass Through" damage (Cleave). One swing can kill 2-3 enemies if they are clustered.
Where: Aserai towns with high prosperity.
Best Polearm: The Long Glaive
Why: It is a swingable polearm that can be used from horseback. It deals massive cutting damage and has incredible reach.
Where: Khuzait towns.
Best One-Handed Sword: Thamaskene Steel Spatha
Why: High speed, high cut damage, and long enough to use from horseback.
Where: Empire towns (Late game).
Two-handed axes are devastating against shields and grouped infantry.
Ranged Weapons
Best Bow: Noble Longbow
Why: Highest damage per shot. Requires the "Bow Expert" perk (95 Bow) to use on horseback, but is devastating on foot.
Where: Battanian towns.
Best Crossbow: Bound Crossbow
Why: Can be reloaded on horseback with the appropriate perk. High damage and accuracy.
Armor
Armor in Bannerlord works on a threshold system. The higher the armor, the less damage you take, but weight slows you down.
Body Armor: Look for "Lordly" prefix items. Imperial Lamellar, Cataphract Armor, or Sturgian Heavy Mail. Aim for 50+ body armor.
Head Armor: Critical. A lucky arrow to the head can end your battle. Wear the heaviest helmet you can find (50+ armor).
Horse Armor: "Imperial Scale Barding" or "Cataphract Scale Barding" provides the best protection (60+), making your mount a tank.
High-tier armor significantly increases your survivability in large melees.
Crafted Weapons: The Ultimate Tier
While the weapons listed above are the best you can buy, the best weapons in the game are the ones you make.
Smithing: Allows you to customize length, weight, and damage.
The Money Maker: Crafted Javelins and Two-Handed Swords can sell for 20k-50k denars, far outstripping loot.
Performance: A Masterwork crafted Two-Handed Sword can have 130+ Cut damage and 100+ Speed, superior to anything in the shops.