Influence and Renown: The Currencies of Power

In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, having a full purse of denars is not enough. To rise from a lowly mercenary to the ruler of Calradia, you need two intangible but vital currencies: Renown and Influence.

Renown: Your Legend

Renown measures your fame. It is the primary driver of your Clan Tier.

• Clan Tier Benefits: Higher tiers allow you to have larger parties, more companions, more workshops, and eventually, the right to create a kingdom (Tier 4).

• Earning Renown:

  • Battles: Winning fights, especially against superior numbers, awards massive renown.

  • Tournaments: Winning a tournament grants 3 renown.

  • Quests: Completing tasks for notables gives small amounts.

Influence: Your Political Weight

Influence is the currency used within a kingdom. If you are an independent clan (not a mercenary or vassal), you do not generate influence.

• Uses:

  • Calling Armies: You spend influence to summon other lords to your army.

  • Voting: You spend influence to vote on fief ownership, policies, and war declarations.

  • Cohesion: Keeping an army together drains influence over time.

Earning Influence

Once you join a kingdom as a vassal:

1. Battles: Fighting enemies of the kingdom generates influence.

2. Donating Prisoners: Dropping prisoners off in a friendly dungeon gives influence based on the tier of troops.

3. Buildings: The Forum project in towns generates daily influence.

4. Policies: Laws like "Council of the Commons" can generate massive influence for land-owning clans.

Spending Wisely

Do not waste influence on votes you cannot win. Check the support levels before committing. Save your influence for critical moments, such as claiming a town you captured or overruling a foolish peace treaty.

Mastering these systems ensures that when you speak, Calradia listens.