This article explores the essential skills that will make your companions invaluable assets in a hypothetical naval expansion for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. We’ll delve into practical skill selections and offer unique perspectives on how these skills might impact naval gameplay, preparing you to dominate the seas when (or if) they become a part of Calradia.
Currently, Bannerlord 2 focuses almost entirely on land-based combat and management. However, the potential for naval warfare has been a long-standing topic of discussion among players. If TaleWorlds were to introduce naval elements, your companions’ skills would need to adapt accordingly. Choosing the right skills now, anticipating future naval content, could give you a significant advantage.
Why Focus on Naval Skills Now?
While naval combat isn’t currently implemented, leveling companions takes time. By proactively training them in relevant skills, you’ll be ready to utilize them effectively the moment naval content is released. This foresight prevents you from scrambling to retrain companions later, saving you valuable time and resources.
The Core Naval Skill Trio: Tactics, Engineering, and Leadership
These three skills are, in my opinion, the most critical for naval companions:
Tactics: On land, Tactics governs your ability to effectively command troops in battle, utilizing formations and maneuvers to gain an advantage. At sea, this could translate to strategic ship positioning, understanding wind and current dynamics, and employing naval combat tactics such as boarding maneuvers or ranged broadsides. A high Tactics skill could also improve the speed and efficiency of naval maneuvers, allowing you to outwit enemy fleets.
Engineering: Currently, Engineering governs siege engine construction and town improvement. In a naval context, this skill becomes crucial for ship maintenance, repair, and even construction (if shipyards are introduced). A companion with high Engineering could reduce ship repair time, increase ship durability in combat, and potentially unlock upgrades or modifications for your vessels, offering an edge in naval engagements.
Leadership: As always, Leadership plays a vital role in maintaining morale, increasing party size, and reducing troop wages. A naval captain with high Leadership would inspire their crew, preventing mutiny (a very real risk on long sea voyages) and maximizing combat effectiveness. It would also allow you to command larger fleets, increasing your overall naval power.
First-Hand Experience: Early Specialization
In my playthroughs, I often specialize companions early on. Even if they aren’t initially intended for a specific role, focusing on one or two key skills allows them to quickly become proficient. For example, if I anticipate using a companion as a naval engineer, I’ll prioritize Engineering from the start, even if it means neglecting other skills temporarily. This allows them to reach high skill levels much faster, making them more valuable when naval content eventually arrives.
Beyond the core skills, consider these unconventional roles for your naval companions:
The Quartermaster (Steward Skill Focus)
While often overlooked, Steward governs party food consumption, settlement prosperity, and tax collection. At sea, this translates to efficient resource management. A companion with high Steward skills could:
- Reduce food consumption on long voyages: Minimizing the risk of starvation and extending your operational range.
- Improve trade efficiency at coastal settlements: Negotiating better prices for goods and supplies.
- Potentially manage a naval base or port effectively: Maximizing revenue and minimizing expenses.
The Navigator (Scouting Skill Focus)
Scouting is crucial for gathering information, tracking enemies, and finding optimal routes. In a naval context, this skill becomes essential for:
- Discovering hidden sea lanes and avoiding dangerous waters: Minimizing travel time and the risk of shipwrecks.
- Detecting enemy fleets and ambushes: Gaining a tactical advantage in naval engagements.
- Mapping uncharted territories: Opening up new opportunities for trade and exploration.
The Boarding Expert (Combat Skill Focus)
While Tactics governs overall naval strategy, individual combat skills like One-Handed, Two-Handed, Polearm, and Throwing could be crucial for boarding actions. A companion skilled in these areas could lead boarding parties, capturing enemy ships and turning the tide of battle. Consider diversifying your companions’ combat skills to create a well-rounded naval force.
Since naval content isn’t yet available, you’ll need to get creative with your training methods. Here’s how to indirectly improve naval-relevant skills:
- Tactics: Engage in large-scale land battles, experimenting with different formations and troop compositions. Analyze the outcomes to understand what works and what doesn’t.
- Engineering: Focus on siege warfare. Building and operating siege engines will improve your companion’s Engineering skill. Additionally, assign them as governors of towns and castles to boost their skill through town improvements.
- Leadership: Lead large parties and engage in frequent battles to boost morale and gain experience. Assign your companion as a clan leader to delegate tasks and improve their leadership abilities.
- Steward: Assign your companion as a governor and focus on improving the settlement’s prosperity. Regularly check on the settlement’s food supply and tax revenue to identify areas for improvement.
- Scouting: Send your companion on scouting missions to gather information about enemy parties and settlements. Encourage them to explore new territories and uncover hidden locations.
- Combat Skills: Regularly engage in combat with your companion, focusing on specific weapon types. Utilize training grounds to practice different combat techniques and improve their overall fighting ability.
Simulate User Scenario: Imagine you’re preparing for a long voyage. You’d want a Steward companion to minimize food consumption, a Scouting companion to navigate safely, and Engineering companion to repair ship. By focusing on these areas, even without naval content, you create the perfect companion.
Let’s consider how these skills might play out in a naval battle scenario:
| Skill | Naval Application | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tactics | Ship positioning, combat maneuvers, understanding wind/current | Utilizing a flanking maneuver to board an enemy vessel while avoiding its broadside. |
| Engineering | Ship repair, maintenance, upgrades | Quickly repairing a damaged mast during combat, preventing the ship from being disabled. |
| Leadership | Morale management, crew size, combat effectiveness | Inspiring the crew to fight harder despite heavy losses, preventing a mutiny and maintaining morale. |
| Steward | Resource management, trade efficiency, port management | Optimizing the ship’s cargo hold to maximize space for supplies and trade goods. |
| Scouting | Navigation, enemy detection, map exploration | Discovering a hidden route through a storm, allowing the fleet to avoid a dangerous encounter. |
| Combat | Boarding actions, ship defense | Leading a boarding party and capturing an enemy ship, turning the tide of battle. |
By proactively developing these skills in your companions, you will be well-prepared to capitalize on any potential naval content that may be introduced in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Focus on Tactics, Engineering, and Leadership as your core skills, and consider innovative roles for Steward, Scouting, and Combat skills to create a well-rounded and formidable naval force. The seas of Calradia await your command!