Party Speed Explained: Why Are You So Slow?

"I can't catch looters!" is the most common complaint from new Bannerlord players. Moving fast on the campaign map is crucial for both survival and profit. This guide explains the basics of movement speed and how to fix common issues.

Understanding Your Speed

By default, a party on foot moves at a base speed of around 5.0. You can see your current speed and the factors affecting it by hovering over the speed icon in the bottom right of the campaign HUD (the running horse icon).

Always check the tooltip to see exactly what is slowing you down.

Common Reasons You Are Slow

If your speed drops below 4.5, you are likely suffering from a penalty.

1. Herd Penalty

This is the #1 culprit. If you have more animals (horses, cows, sheep) than you have men to herd them, you get a massive "Herd" penalty.

• Fix: Sell excess pack animals or recruit more troops.

2. Overburdened (Inventory Capacity)

Carrying more weight than your capacity allows will cripple your movement.

• Fix: Sell loot or buy Pack Animals (Mules/Sumpter Horses) to increase capacity.

Balance your inventory capacity with the number of animals to avoid penalties.

3. Too Many Prisoners

Prisoners struggle and slow the party down.

• Fix: Sell them at a tavern or recruit them.

4. Wounded Troops

Wounded soldiers cannot walk or ride effectively, slowing the whole group.

• Fix: Rest in a town until they heal.

Quick Fixes for Speed

1. Buy Horses for Footmen: If you have 20 infantry, buy 20 riding horses. They will mount up for travel (map movement only), significantly boosting speed.

2. Assign a Scout: Go to your Clan tab and assign a companion with high Scouting skill to the "Scout" role.

3. Travel by Day: All parties move slower at night.

With a tuned party, you can catch even the fastest bandit groups.

Next Steps

For a deep dive into the math behind these mechanics, see Party Speed Mechanics. If you want to build the fastest party possible, check out our Party Speed Optimization guide.