Deep Dive: Bannerlord Performance Optimization

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is unique because it is not just rendering a scene; it is simulating the decision-making, physics, and pathfinding of thousands of agents. This makes it a CPU-bound game in most large battles.

This guide goes beyond the basic graphics menu to help you identify bottlenecks and optimize your system.

1. Identifying the Bottleneck: CPU vs. GPU

Before changing settings, you need to know what is holding you back.

• GPU Bottleneck: Low FPS in empty scenes, high resolution (4K), max textures.

• CPU Bottleneck: FPS drops only when armies clash, stuttering during sieges, "slow motion" combat.

The Golden Rule: If your FPS tanks when the infantry lines meet, you are CPU limited. Lowering graphics quality (Textures, Shadows) will NOT help. You must lower Battle Size or Physics settings.

2. Advanced CPU Optimizations

If you have a decent GPU but poor battle performance:

1. Audio Channels: Set this to Low (128). calculating 3D positional audio for 500 screaming soldiers eats CPU cycles.

2. Ragdolls: Limit to 5 or None. Physics calculations for dead bodies are expensive.

3. Corpses: Set Number of Corpses to Low.

4. Animation Quality: Lowering this reduces the complexity of distant troop movements.

3. System-Level Tweaks

Windows Game Mode

Ensure Windows Game Mode is ON. It prioritizes the game process over background apps (like Chrome tabs or Discord overlays).

Driver Updates

Bannerlord's engine updates often coincide with driver releases. An outdated driver can cause micro-stutters even on high-end cards.

DLSS and FSR

Even if you are CPU bound, enabling DLSS (Quality) reduces the heat load on your GPU, potentially allowing your CPU to boost slightly higher due to lower overall case temps.

4. SSD vs HDD

Bannerlord streams assets constantly. Installing the game on an HDD will cause massive stutters when reinforcements spawn or when entering towns. An NVMe SSD is highly recommended.

5. RAM Speed

Because the game is CPU-heavy, fast RAM (3200MHz+) significantly improves 1% low FPS, making the game feel smoother even if average FPS doesn't change much.

For basic settings adjustment, see our Performance & Graphics Settings guide. If you are crashing, check Performance & Stability Tips.