Culture Bonuses & Starting Choices
December 5, 2025
Overview of cultural perks and starting backgrounds.
The first decisions you make in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord will haunt—or help—you for the entire campaign. Your culture determines your permanent passive bonuses, while your family background sets your starting skills.
The 6 Cultures of Calradia
Each culture offers a unique buff (and sometimes a debuff). Here is the breakdown:
1. Vlandia
Bonus: 20% more production bonus to mercenaries in parties. 5% more renown from battles.
Verdict: Good for leveling up your Clan Tier faster (Renown) and if you plan to rely on mercenary troops. Solid for a "Kingdom Builder" run.
2. Sturgia
Bonus: 25% cheaper penalty for recruiting and upgrading infantry troops. 20% less cohesion decay for armies.
Verdict: The army cohesion buff is massive for late-game kingdom management. If you plan to lead huge armies constantly, Sturgia is a top-tier choice.
3. Empire
Bonus: 20% less garrison wage. 25% more influence from being in an army.
Verdict: The "Jack of All Trades". Reduced garrison wages saves you thousands of denars in the late game. Influence gain is great for politics. A safe, strong choice.
4. Aserai
Bonus: 30% cheaper caravans. 10% less trade penalty. No speed penalty in deserts.
Verdict: The Merchant King choice. If you want to trade your way to victory, Aserai is non-negotiable. The trade penalty reduction effectively increases your profit margins on every single item.
5. Khuzait
Bonus: 15% faster recruitment of mounted troops. 25% production bonus to horses, mules, cows, and sheep in villages owned.
Verdict: A bit niche. The horse production is nice for passive income if you own fiefs, but weaker than the others for general gameplay.
6. Battania
Bonus: 50% less speed penalty and 15% sight range bonus in forests.
Verdict: The Speed King. Movement speed is the most valuable stat in the game. Being able to outrun enemies or catch them in forests (which cover much of the map) is a lifesaver. Widely considered the "Meta" pick for combat-focused players.
Background Choices: Stats & Skills
After choosing a culture, you will go through a series of "Life Stage" choices (Family, Early Childhood, Adolescence, etc.).
Each choice grants:
Attribute Points: (e.g., Vigor, Social, Intelligence)
Focus Points: (e.g., One-Handed, Charm, Medicine)
Recommended Allocations
The Warlord
Focus heavily on Vigor (Melee) or Control (Ranged) and Endurance (Riding/Athletics).
Your goal is to be a terror on the battlefield early on.
The Commander
Focus on Social (Leadership, Charm) and Intelligence (Steward, Medicine).
You won't fight well personally, but your army will be huge, healthy, and cheap to maintain.
The Trader
Go all-in on Social (Trade) and Cunning (Scouting/Tactics).
Start as an Aserai for maximum synergy.
Summary: What Should I Pick?
First Time Player: Pick Empire. It's forgiving, balanced, and the garrison wage reduction helps you keep your first castle.
Combat Lover: Pick Battania. The forest speed bonus lets you pick your battles.
Rich Merchant: Pick Aserai. Money solves all problems.
Once you've made your character, check out our Ultimate Beginner Guide for your first steps in Calradia.