Siege Warfare & Defenses

November 21, 2025

Comprehensive guide to attacking and defending settlements.

Siege Warfare & Defenses Guide

Defending a castle against a 2,000-man army is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. With the right preparation and tactics, you can bleed the enemy dry and turn a desperate stand into a heroic victory.

Wall Defense Setup Positioning your archers and engines correctly is 90% of the battle.

The Preparation Phase

Before the battle starts, you have critical decisions to make.

  1. Ambush: If the enemy has built a Ram or Towers, you can launch an Ambush mission. This allows you to sally out with a small force to destroy their engines before the main assault. Always do this if available. It forces them to attack with ladders, which is a death sentence.

  2. Engine Placement:

    • Fire Onagers: Place these to target the main clusters of infantry.

    • Ballistae: Place these on the flanks to snipe the Battering Ram.

  3. Food: Ensure your Granary is full. If you run out of food, your garrison will wound and die, and morale will plummet, causing troops to rout immediately.

The Battle: Tactics

1. Destroy the Ram

The Battering Ram is your biggest threat. If they break the gate, you lose the choke point. Focus all fire on it.

  • Tip: You can manually aim catapults. Aim for the ram!

2. Holding the Ladders

If you destroy the towers/ram, they must use ladders.

  • Place your best shock infantry (like Sturgian Heroic Line Breakers) at the top of the ladders.

  • They will chop down enemies one by one as they climb.

3. The "Retreat" Strategy

If the walls are breached, do not fight in the open courtyard. Pull your troops back to the Keep.

  • Form a shield wall at the door to the keep.

  • Place archers on the balconies overlooking the courtyard.

  • This creates a "kill box" that can wipe out hundreds of enemies.

Holding the Breach Sometimes the walls fall. Be ready to fight in the streets or retreat to the citadel.

Sallying Out

If you have a strong cavalry force, you don't always have to wait.

  • Sally Out: Launch a field battle outside the walls.

  • When to use: If the enemy has no siege engines built yet, or if you have a relief army arriving.

Sally Out Tactic Catching the enemy unprepared in their camp can shatter their siege before it begins.

Summary

  • Priority: Destroy the Ram (Ambush or Ballista).

  • Choke Points: Force them to use ladders.

  • Last Stand: Retreat to the Keep if necessary.

For details on building the engines you need, see Siege Engines & Construction. If you are looking to build your own kingdom to defend, check Creating Your Own Kingdom.