Weapon Types & Best Loadouts

Choosing the right gear in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord defines your playstyle. Whether you want to be a tanky commander or a glass-cannon berserker, your weapon loadout is key.

Weapon Categories Overview

• One-Handed: Fast, allows for a shield. Essential for sieges.

• Two-Handed: Massive damage, cleaves through multiple enemies. Risky but rewarding.

• Polearms: Ranging from spears to swinging glaives. The Long Glaive is widely considered the best mounted weapon.

• Ranged: Bows for speed, Crossbows for punch, Thrown weapons for short-range burst.

For a deep dive on mechanics, check Combat Fundamentals.

Best-in-Slot Weapons

If you have the denars (or Smithing Skill), look for these:

• Polearm: Rhomphaia or Long Glaive.

• Bow: Noble Longbow (requires high Bow skill).

• 2H Axe: Executioner's Axe.

• Sword: Thamaskene Steel Spatha.

Recommended Loadouts

The Field Commander

• Slot 1: 1H Sword (Speed).

• Slot 2: Shield (Protection).

• Slot 3: Bow.

• Slot 4: Arrow Quiver.

• Role: Versatile. Can command from the back, survive arrows, and defend in melee.

The Mounted Reaper

• Slot 1: Long Glaive (Swingable Polearm).

• Slot 2: 2H Axe (For close quarters).

• Slot 3: Javelins (For chasing routers).

• Slot 4: Shield (On back for rear protection).

• Role: Ride by enemies and one-shot them with the glaive swing. See Best Cavalry Units for inspiration.

The Siege Breaker

• Slot 1: Short 2H Axe (Shield breaking).

• Slot 2: Large Shield (Pavise).

• Slot 3: Throwing Axes.

• Slot 4: Throwing Axes.

• Role: Climb the ladder, smash shields, throw axes into the crowd. Perfect for Best Infantry Units.

The Horse Archer

• Slot 1: Noble Bow.

• Slot 2: Stacked Bodkin Arrows.

• Slot 3: Stacked Bodkin Arrows.

• Slot 4: 2H Sword (Emergency melee).

• Role: Kite enemies to death. See Ranged Combat & Archery.

Conclusion

Experiment with these loadouts in the Arena & Tournament Guide to find what suits your reflexes best. Remember, the best weapon is the one you hit with.