Performance & Graphics Settings Guide

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a demanding game, simulating hundreds of individual soldiers, physics projectiles, and complex AI simultaneously. Achieving a balance between visual fidelity and smooth framerates is key to enjoying large-scale sieges without turning your PC into a space heater.

This guide covers the critical graphics settings you need to tweak for the best experience.

1. Graphics Presets & The "Performance" Menu

Before diving into individual sliders, check the Overall Quality preset.

• Very Low / Low: Essential for integrated graphics or older laptops.

• Medium: The sweet spot for GTX 1060 / RX 580 class cards.

• High / Very High: For modern rigs (RTX 3060+).

Key Setting to Watch: "Shader Quality" Lowering this to Medium can significantly reduce GPU load with minimal visual loss during chaotic battles.

2. The CPU Killer: Battle Size

The single most impactful setting in Bannerlord is Battle Size.

• 200-400 Troops: Playable on most quad-core CPUs.

• 600-800 Troops: Requires a modern hex-core or octo-core CPU (Ryzen 5600 / Intel i5-12400 or better).

• 1000 Troops: Demands a high-end CPU to maintain 60 FPS.

If you experience stuttering specifically when armies clash, lower your Battle Size. This relieves the burden on your CPU's AI calculations.

3. Shadow & Lighting Optimization

Shadows are expensive.

• Shadow Type: Set to Static Only if you are struggling for frames. Dynamic shadows (sun moving, troops casting shadows) are heavy.

• Particle Detail: Lower this to Medium. In large sieges, smoke and dust can tank FPS.

• Cloth Simulation: Disable this if you have a weaker CPU; it calculates physics for capes and flags.

4. DLSS and Upscaling

If you have an NVIDIA RTX card, enable DLSS.

• Quality: Best balance.

• Performance: Use only if struggling to hit 60 FPS at 1440p/4K.

For non-RTX cards, check if FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) options are available or use the Resolution Scale slider (set to 90% or 85% for a free FPS boost).

5. Summary Checklist for Stability

1. Cap Frame Rate: Set a limit (e.g., 60 or 144) to prevent your GPU from working 100% in menus.

2. V-Sync: Enable if you see screen tearing, but it adds input lag.

3. Update Drivers: Bannerlord receives frequent driver optimizations from NVIDIA/AMD.

For more deep dives into squeezing every frame out of your rig, check our Performance Optimization guide. If you are experiencing crashes, visit Performance & Stability Tips.

Once you have your settings dialed in, you'll be ready to command massive armies in our Combat and Battle Tactics guide or lay waste to cities in Sieges and Castle Warfare.