Equipment Progression Paths
November 21, 2025
Suggested gear upgrades from early to late game.
Equipment Progression Paths
Knowing what to buy and when can save you thousands of Denars. This guide outlines the optimal gear progression for a standard warrior in Bannerlord.
Phase 1: The Scavenger (Clan Tier 0-1)
Source: Looters and Tournaments.
Head: Any cap with armor > 10.
Body: Padded Gambeson or Leather.
Weapon: Looted Pitchforks or low-tier Swords.
Goal: Win a Tournament to get a Tier 4 Helmet or Shoulders as a prize. Do not buy expensive armor yet.
Phase 2: The Mercenary (Clan Tier 2-3)
Source: Battle Loot (Sea Raiders) and Market.
Head: Closed Helm (Armor 30+).
Body: Mail over Leather (Armor 20-30).
Mount: Sumpter Horses are out. Buy a Midlands Palfrey or Hunter.
Goal: Survive a few hits from professional troops.
At this stage, you should look like a proper soldier, not a peasant.
Phase 3: The Vassal (Clan Tier 4)
Source: High Prosperity Towns (Sanala, Epicrotea).
Head: Full Helm (Armor 45+).
Body: Scale Mail or Lamellar (Armor 40+).
Hands/Feet: Mail Mittens and Mail Boots.
Goal: Spend your first 100k Denars on a top-tier Body Armor.
Phase 4: The Warlord (Clan Tier 5-6)
Source: Rare Spawns and Crafting.
Head: Lordly Full Helm (Armor 50+).
Body: Lordly Cataphract or Lamellar (Armor 50+).
Weapon: Legendary Crafted 2H Sword or Polearm.
Mount: Pureblood (from Tournament/Events) or Wadar Hotblood.
Top-tier armor is incredibly expensive (up to 500k+), but it makes you a walking tank.
Summary
Don't rush to buy the shiny 50k armor when you only have 60k. Spend money on Workshops and Caravans first. Let your income buy your armor, not your savings.