Village Raiding & Defense
November 21, 2025
Mechanics and consequences of raiding villages and protecting them.
Village Raiding & Defense
Villages are the lifeblood of Calradia's economy. They produce the food that feeds towns and the recruits that fill armies. Mastering the art of raiding them—and defending your own—is a key strategic layer in Bannerlord.
The Village Economy
Every village is bound to a castle or town. The goods they produce (Grain, Iron, Horses) flow into the market of the bound settlement.
Hearths: This stat represents the village population. Higher hearths = more production and faster recruit replenishment.
Raiding: Reduces hearths significantly, effectively "killing" the village for a time.
The Art of Raiding
To raid a village, approach it and select "Take a hostile action" -> "Raid the village".
The Militia: Villagers and militia will come out to fight you. You must defeat them first.
The Raid Bar: Once the defenders are down, a progress bar fills. This takes time!
Vulnerability: During a raid, you are stationary on the map. Enemy lords can catch you easily.
Tip: Raiding is a great way to bait enemy lords into a fight on your terms, or to force a town to starve by cutting off its food supply.
Loot & Profit
Successful raids yield:
Trade Goods: Loads of the village's primary production (e.g., hundreds of Grain or Hardwood).
Denars: looted gold.
Prisoners: Villagers can be sold.
However, you can also choose "Force notables to give recruits" or "Force supplies" without fully burning the village. This is faster and less destructive.
Consequences
Raiding is not free.
Criminal Rating: You gain criminal rating with the faction.
Relations: You lose massive relation with the village notables. This means you cannot recruit from them in the future.
War: Raiding a neutral village is an act of war.
Traits: Frequent raiding may give you the Cruel trait.
See Crime & Roguery Playstyle for more.
Defending Your Fiefs
If you own a village, you must protect it.
Patrols: Leave a small party or Companion party near your villages.
Militia: Build the Train Militia project in your castle/town to increase defender numbers.
Response: When you see "Village is being raided", you have until the bar fills to intervene.
Troop Setups
Raiders: Use high-speed Cavalry (Khuzait/Vlandian) to hit hard and escape before lords arrive.
Defenders: Heavy Infantry (Sturgian/Imperial) are best for holding the village chokepoints against raiders.
For more on managing your lands, see Settlement Management.