Mercenary Work & Vassalage

Choosing between the life of a sword-for-hire and a landed lord is one of the first major strategic decisions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Both paths offer unique ways to gain wealth and power, but they serve very different purposes in your campaign progression.

Mercenary Contracts Explained

Before you can think about owning castles or leading massive armies, you often start as a mercenary. This is the "dating phase" of kingdom allegiance. You work for a faction, but you are not bound to them forever.

How to Become a Mercenary

To become a mercenary, you must reach Clan Tier 1. Once achieved, find any Lord of a faction currently at war. Speak to them and offer your sword for a price.

The Pay Structure

Mercenaries are not paid a flat wage. Instead, your pay is based on Influence.

• Every bit of Influence you gain (from battles, raiding, etc.) is converted into Gold daily.

• This is known as the "Mercenary Contract Rate" (e.g., 150 denars per influence point).

• You cannot stockpile influence as a mercenary; it is all liquidated for cash.

Pro Tip: This is one of the best ways to make money in the early mid-game. A single large battle can net you thousands of denars instantly. For more on early economy, check our Economy & Trade Guide.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:

  • Freedom: You can leave the kingdom at any time via the Kingdom tab (Kingdom Management > Leave Kingdom) without severe relationship penalties, unlike vassals.

  • Profitable: Great for converting combat prowess directly into cash.

  • No Baggage: You don't have to worry about defending fiefs or managing town loyalty.

• Cons:

  • No Land: You cannot be awarded castles or towns.

  • No Army Leading: You can join armies, but you cannot form your own (requires Vassalage).

The Path to Vassalage

Once you have amassed some wealth and a decent warband, you may crave stability and land. This is where Vassalage comes in.

Requirements

You typically need to reach Clan Tier 2 to be eligible for vassalage.

Swearing the Oath

Unlike mercenary work, you cannot just speak to any lord. You must find the Faction Leader (King, Sultan, Khan, etc.). You must pledge your allegiance to them directly.

Life as a Vassal

Becoming a vassal changes the game from an RPG into a strategy management sim. You are now a stakeholder in the kingdom.

Benefits

1. Fief Ownership: You can be voted to receive Castles and Towns captured by the kingdom. This provides tax income but requires management. See Kingdom Management for details.

2. Influence Banking: Your influence is no longer sold for cash. It is stored to be used for voting on policies, fiefs, or calling armies.

3. Army Creation: You can spend influence to summon other lords to your army, allowing you to lead sieges yourself.

Duties

• Defense: If your village is raided, it's your problem.

• Politics: You must vote on war declarations and policies to keep the kingdom stable.

• Loyalty: Leaving a kingdom as a vassal is messy. If you leave with your fiefs, the kingdom will declare war on you instantly.

Comparison: Which is Right for You?

Summary

Start as a Mercenary to build your bankroll and level up your troops. Once you have 50-100 elite troops and a financial cushion, swear the oath and become a Vassal to start painting the map your color.

If you want to skip serving others entirely, you can eventually look into Starting Your Own Kingdom, but be warned: it is a difficult path for the unprepared.