Tournaments vs. Bandit Boss Duels

In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, 1v1 combat comes in two flavors: the regulated sport of the Arena, and the life-or-death duels in Bandit Hideouts. Here is how they compare and how to survive both.

The Arena (Sport)

Tournaments are safe. You use practice weapons, you take blunt damage, and you heal immediately after.

• Gear: Provided by the arena (you cannot use your own).

• Stakes: Renown, Gold, Items.

• Risk: None. You just lose the match.

Contrasting the dusty hideout duel with the regulated arena tournament.

The Hideout (Life or Death)

At the end of a Clearing Hideouts mission, the Bandit Boss may challenge you to a duel.

• Gear: You use your own campaign equipment.

• Stakes: If you win, the hideout clears instantly, and you get extra morale/renown.

• Risk: Death. If you have permadeath on, you can die here. If you lose, your party is captured.

Challenging the Bandit Boss to a duel to decide the fate of the hideout.

Tactics Comparison

Arena Tactics

Be aggressive. Since it's blunt damage, you can trade hits if you have higher health. Exploit the AI by circle-strafing.

Duel Tactics

Be cautious. The Bandit Boss often has high-tier weapons that can two-shot you.

• Shield Up: Never lower your block unless attacking.

• Circle Strafe: Move constantly to his shield side (usually your right) to make it harder for him to hit you.

• Range: If you have a javelin or throwing axe, use it! There is no "honor" in a bandit duel.

1v1 combat against a high-level bandit leader.

For more combat details, check Tournaments & Arena Fighting.