Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Overview

Welcome to Calradia: a sprawling medieval sandbox where you can chase trade profits, build a clan, or topple empires. This overview orients new players to the core loops and points you to the best next guides.

What Bannerlord is

• Single-player sandbox with dynamic wars, economy, and politics; optional multiplayer side modes.

• Modes: Campaign (story + kingdom path) and Sandbox (freeform).

• Play as trader, mercenary, vassal, or independent ruler—your skills and companions drive the build.

Pillars at a glance

• Combat: Directional attacks/blocks, formation commands, cavalry and sieges. Start with Combat Basics & Controls and Mounted Combat Techniques.

• Economy: Trade goods, caravans, workshops, smithing. Learn pricing in Economy & Trade Systems and beginner loops in Beginner's Guide.

• Clan growth: Companions, roles, party management, fiefs. See Troop Recruitment and Development and Party Management & Morale.

• Politics: Kingdom votes, armies, influence. Start with Kingdoms of Calradia and Main Storyline & Tutorials.

Starter routes (first in-game week)

• Trader start: Buy cheap village goods, sell in towns, avoid fights. Aim for your first caravan/workshop. Pair with Party Speed Explained.

• Mercenary start: Recruit light infantry/archers, hunt looters for renown, then sign mercenary contract to build influence and cash.

• Clan-builder start: Focus on companions and roles early; do easy quests, tournaments, and smithing for money before grabbing a fief. Tie into Party Management & Morale.

Calradia at a glance

• Factions vary by terrain and troops: steppe (Khuzait speed), forests (Battanian archers), desert (Aserai trade), mountains (Sturgian infantry), plains (Vlandian cavalry), and the splintered Empires.

• Check Map of Calradia & Regions for borders, trade lanes, and terrain modifiers.

Navigation hub

• Learn controls: Combat Basics & Controls.

• Make money: Economy & Trade Systems.

• Grow a clan: Party Management & Morale and Troop Recruitment and Development.

• Plan diplomacy: Kingdoms of Calradia and Main Storyline & Tutorials.

• Explore more topics in the Wiki Navigation Hub.