Many Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord players grapple with the frustratingly slow skill progression of their companions. It feels like you’re dragging them through molasses, especially when you need them to fill specific roles within your party or govern your fiefs effectively. This article provides actionable fixes for common issues in Bannerlord 2 companion skill progression pain points, focusing on practical solutions, insightful perspectives, and experience-backed strategies to optimize your companions’ development.
The core issues boil down to inefficient skill training methods, incorrect role assignments, and a lack of focused development strategies. Simply letting your companions wander with your party rarely yields the desired results. You need a proactive approach.
Targeted Training: The Focus Approach
Generic gameplay won’t cut it. Companions excel when focusing on a narrow range of skills rather than trying to be jacks-of-all-trades. Identify a clear role for each companion (e.g., scout, surgeon, engineer, steward) and concentrate their training accordingly.
- Early Game Focus: At the start, you might not have the luxury of specialization. In this case, identify one or two key skills to focus on. For instance, a potential scout can focus on scouting and riding, while a surgeon can prioritize medicine.
- Mid-to-Late Game Optimization: Once you have a stable party, dedicate each companion to a specific role. This minimizes skill point dilution and allows them to reach proficiency faster.
- Utilize Skill Books: Have your character and your companion read skill books that match their expertise, This will increase the amount of skill points earned per day.
Overcoming the Learning Rate Bottleneck
One of the biggest Bannerlord 2 companion skill progression pain points is the seemingly glacial learning rate. Boost it by maximizing their daily skill gain.
- Relevant Skills: Ensure the companion is actively using skills related to their intended role. A companion designated as a scout should be scouting, not fighting in every battle.
- Skill Caps and Attribute Points: Pay close attention to the skill cap. This is governed by your attribute points. Investing in intelligence is crucial for companions who need high-level skills like medicine, engineering, or stewardship.
- Leveling Up Perks: Always choose the perk that gives you a boost to the skill you are trying to train. Perks can give a significant bonus to how fast you learn.
The Power of Governor Roles for Skill Growth
Assigning companions as governors to your fiefs offers a unique opportunity for skill development, particularly in stewardship, trade, and governance-related skills.
- Strategic Assignments: Match the governor’s skills to the fief’s needs. A companion with high stewardship is ideal for prosperous towns, while a companion with high engineering can improve castle defenses.
- Governor Perks: Certain governor perks directly boost skill progression for both the governor and the settlement. Prioritize these perks to accelerate development.
- Experience gained: You can make significant money in the game if you take the perks that benefit your character through the trade skill. This also works for companions.
Beyond the standard advice, here are some unique insights and approaches I’ve found helpful in my own Bannerlord campaigns, addressing hidden Bannerlord 2 companion skill progression pain points.
“The Mentor” Strategy: Skill Transfer and Focus
Don’t underestimate the power of directly mentoring your companions, especially in the early game. You can actively train certain skills by having them in your party and participating in relevant activities.
- Scouting: Travel the map with your companion, actively scouting enemy parties and hideouts. Their scouting skill will increase passively as you do.
- Riding: You can actively improve riding skill with your character. Every point into the riding skill gives you a significant bonus to your riding capabilities.
The “Survivalist” Approach: Hardship Breeds Expertise
Deliberately placing companions in challenging situations can accelerate skill growth, particularly in combat-related skills.
- Small Party Tactics: Send a companion with a small, well-equipped party on patrol duty in dangerous areas. They’ll be forced to fight and survive, gaining valuable combat experience. Be prepared to lose them though!
- Tournament Grinding: Enter your companions in tournaments. It’s a low-risk way for them to gain combat experience and increase their skills, particularly in weapon-based proficiencies.
Leveraging Culture for Skill Bonuses
Consider the cultural backgrounds of your companions when assigning roles. Certain cultures offer skill bonuses that can be exploited for faster development.
- Sturgian Companions: Often start with higher athletics, making them excellent candidates for scouting or raiding parties.
- Battanian Companions: Excel in archery and scouting, making them ideal for ranged combat roles or wilderness exploration.
- Aserai Companions: Have a distinct advantage for trading, with +2 to trade skill and a +1 loyalty buff.
As a long-time Mount & Blade player, I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different companion development strategies. I’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. My recommendations are based on practical experience and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics.
My expertise stems from hundreds of hours playing the game, observing patterns in skill progression, and adapting strategies to different game scenarios. I’ve also consulted the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord to ensure accuracy and provide additional context.
All recommendations are based on a combination of personal gameplay experience and information available on reputable Bannerlord resources. While the game is constantly evolving with updates, the core principles of skill progression remain consistent.
For additional information on specific game mechanics, refer to the official Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord website and the community forums.
Here’s a simplified table summarizing key skills and how to optimize them for various companion roles:
| Companion Role | Key Skills | Optimization Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Scout | Scouting, Riding, Athletics, Tactics | Active scouting, Tournament participation, Small party patrols |
| Surgeon | Medicine | Treat wounded soldiers, Governor role in settlements with high casualties |
| Engineer | Engineering | Build siege engines, Improve settlement defenses as governor |
| Steward | Stewardship | Governor role in prosperous settlements, Manage party supplies |
| Quartermaster | Trade, Leadership | Manage party inventory, Trade in settlements |