Character Builds & Development

November 21, 2025

A guide to Attributes, Skills, Perks, and leveling your character.

Character Builds & Development

In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, your character is defined not by a class chosen at the start, but by what you do and where you invest your growth points. The system is fluid, allowing a merchant to become a warlord or a smith to become a king, provided you understand the underlying mechanics of Attributes, Skills, and Perks.

This guide breaks down the character development system and offers archetypal builds to help you conquer Calradia.

The Skill System

The character system is built on a hierarchy of three elements:

  1. Attributes: The core physical and mental stats (Vigor, Control, Endurance, Cunning, Social, Intelligence).

  2. Skills: Specific proficiencies (e.g., One-Handed, Riding, Charm) governed by Attributes.

  3. Perks: Passive bonuses unlocked at specific Skill levels.

The Character Development screen showing Attributes (left) and Skills (right) with Focus Points.

Attributes vs. Skills

Think of Attributes as your potential cap. High Vigor allows you to reach higher levels in One-Handed, Two-Handed, and Polearm skills. Focus Points, on the other hand, determine how fast you learn within that potential.

  • Vigor: Melee combat (One-Handed, Two-Handed, Polearm).

  • Control: Ranged combat (Bow, Crossbow, Throwing).

  • Endurance: Physical fitness (Riding, Athletics, Smithing).

  • Cunning: Outsmarting foes (Scouting, Tactics, Roguery).

  • Social: Dealing with people (Charm, Leadership, Trade).

  • Intelligence: Mental discipline (Steward, Medicine, Engineering).

For a detailed breakdown of each stat, check our Character Skills and Attributes guide.

The Leveling Mechanic

Leveling up in Bannerlord happens when you gain enough Skill levels across any combination of skills.

Focus Points & Learning Rate

To gain skill levels, you must perform the action (e.g., hit enemies to gain One-Handed XP). However, your Learning Rate determines how much XP you get per action.

  • 0 Focus Points: You learn very slowly and hit a "hard cap" early.

  • 5 Focus Points: You learn rapidly and can reach level 275+ to unlock the ultimate perks.

Tip: Always keep an eye on the "green zone" in your skill bar. If it turns red, your learning rate has dropped to zero, and you need to invest more Attribute points or Focus points to continue progressing.

Archetypes & Builds

While you can mix and match, specializing early allows you to become powerful in specific roles.

The Commander

The Commander focuses on leading large armies and winning battles through strategy rather than personal combat prowess.

  • Primary Attributes: Social, Intelligence.

  • Key Skills: Leadership, Steward, Tactics.

  • Playstyle: You stand back, issue orders, and ensure your troops have high morale and food. Your high Steward skill allows for a massive party size.

A ruler on the throne, representing the ultimate goal of the Commander build.

Related: See our Clan Management guide for leading armies.

The Warrior

The Warrior is a frontline fighter. Whether you want to be a knight or a berserker, you need physical stats.

  • Primary Attributes: Vigor, Endurance.

  • Key Skills: One-Handed (or Two-Handed), Riding, Athletics.

  • Playstyle: You lead the charge. High Athletics makes you faster on foot, while Riding lets you dominate on horseback. Smithing (Endurance) is a great secondary skill for crafting your own legendary weapons.

Leading a cavalry charge requires high Vigor and Riding skills.

For combat specifics, read our Combat Mechanics Guide.

The Party Face

This build is essential for players who want to trade, negotiate peace, or recruit noble lords.

  • Primary Attributes: Social, Cunning.

  • Key Skills: Charm, Trade, Roguery.

  • Playstyle: You buy your way to victory. Use Charm to win over lords and Trade to amass a fortune. Roguery allows for better loot from battles.

The Specialist

Specialists fill specific roles in the clan, such as Surgeon or Engineer.

  • Primary Attributes: Intelligence.

  • Key Skills: Medicine, Engineering.

  • Playstyle: Often better suited for a companion, but a player-character Surgeon can heal troops incredibly fast, keeping your army in the fight longer.

Check our Companions & Wanderers Guide to find the right specialists for your clan.

Summary

  • Plan Ahead: You cannot max every attribute. Choose 2-3 to focus on.

  • Focus Points Matter: Don't spread them too thin. Max out your core skills first.

  • Synergy: Combine skills like Smithing and Trade for money, or Riding and Bow for Horse Archer dominance.

For a ranking of the best perks to pick, consult our Perks Tier List.